The Twin Khovar Flowers

Painted in September 1994, Khovar Flowers I by Kalavati Devi carries the quiet rhythm of the earth itself. Two flowers bloom at the top, their blue and ochre petals framed in circular halos, with their rooted vines twist and rise from a small pot. Each stroke of black, each curve of line, feels alive with movement, a reminder of the traditional Khovar murals that once adorned the walls of newlywed chambers in rural Jharkhand. Kalavati Devi’s hand, steady and assured, transforms natural colours into a language of blessings and fertility.

Why This Artwork Stands Out:

• Created with natural earth pigments, each hue gathered from the soil of Jharkhand.
• Embodies the matrilineal Khovar tradition, where women paint to bless marriage and life.
• Combines ancient ritual motifs with an artist’s individual sense of grace and proportion.
• A rare example of late 20th-century tribal art that bridges home, ritual, and gallery.

This artwork feels less like an object and more like a voice — quiet, rooted, and deeply human.