RANCHI: Tribal art forms from Jharkhand and West Bengal will welcome visitors at major Durga Puja pandals in Ranchi this year. With theme-based pujas becoming increasingly popular in the city, puja committees in Ranchi have switched to traditional tribal art forms this year to draw more footfall.While RR Sporting Club of Ratu Road is recreating Sohrai arts, glimpses from West Bengal's popular Chhau dance will be the point of attraction at the Ranchi railway station puja. At the Panch Mandir in Harmu, Hogla branches, used by tribal women in West Bengal, are being used to recreate an ancient Shiva temple."We have been working on recreating a tribal-theme based temple for Ratu Road this year. Paintings of Sohrai will decorate the panels inside the pandal while similar panels will be also be hand painted on the outer structures of the pandals. We are a team of around 40 artists from Midnapore in West Bengal. The concept is to create a tribal temple for the Goddess and her family," said Ratan Lal, an artist at the RR Sporting Club.The puja pandal at Ranchi railway station is going grand with huge displays of decorative arts. With a crew of around 80 people working on the Chauu-themed set-up for over four months, giant statues of the demon king, Ravana, and his brother Kumbhakarna are almost ready. The artisans are working on a giant buffalo head to be set up as a prop at the entrance of the pandal. All figurines at the pandal are inspired by masks used in Chhau dance."The theme is tribal dance form of Chhau and hence we have recreated dozens of Nagadas with thermocole and paper. The entire area will be decorated with gigantic figurines made of thermocole. The interior is being decorated with paper cups to give it a rustic touch," said an artisan working on the pandal.At Panch Mandir in Harmu, Hogla leaves, used for weaving traditional baskets in West Bengal, are being utilized to recreate an ancient temple of Lord Shiva. All Hogla leaves used for the decorations have been brought from Uluberia in West Bengal."The idea is to recreate a rustic, cave-like interior. The artists are using Hogla leaves and hay to create elements like gigantic snakes and cave-like interiors for the pandal.," said Ashok Dey, chief artist at the pandal.

Stay updated with all the Latest Ranchi headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.