Jamshedpur artist’s terracotta adorns New Parliament House

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, July 5: The new Parliament House in New Delhi now features the exquisite terracotta artworks of Mohan Karan, a young artist from Sonari, Jamshedpur. His creations, which include masks and tiles, are showcased in the Aastha Gallery and add a touch of Jharkhandi art to the prestigious venue. This remarkable achievement has filled the city with pride, as Mohan’s terracotta art is the sole representation from Jharkhand in the gallery.

Mohan expressed his pride in having his work displayed at such a significant location, viewing it as the pinnacle of success for an artist. He believed that being remembered for years through his art in the Parliament House would be a monumental accomplishment.

The selection process began when Jaya Jaitley, head of the Dastkari Haat Committee, reached out to clay artists across the states. Upon learning about the opportunity, Mohan submitted his terracotta pieces online. After approval, the committee arranged for his artwork to be couriered. The Parliament House management then selected his pieces, which now adorn the new Parliament House.

Mohan’s terracotta artwork are crafted from Ganga soil. He created a mask, initially decorated with bright colors but later left uncolored as per the committee’s preference. He also designed tiles showcasing Jharkhand’s forest wealth, including trees and leaves, without applying any color. His creativity was appreciated for the natural elegance. Although Mohan’s Dokra art was not selected for the Parliament House, it is displayed in Tata Steel’s Mumbai office, depicting Jharkhand’s cultural symbol, the bow and arrow.

Mohan is associated with the Tribal Artisan Group, a self-help group based in Sonari, through which he creates terracotta and Dokra artifacts. This affiliation has been instrumental in his journey as an artist.