Santhal Pat or Story Scroll

Dark-skinned flute player dances between two leafy trees while two women look on.

This painted pat or story scroll is Santhal, from Bihar / Jharkhand, Bihar, India, and dates to the 19th or mid 20th century. It is painted paper. The Santhal are one of the largest Adivasi groups of eastern India, and their communities live mainly in Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha. A central figure with a pink crown and a flute stands in a dancing pose in a pink patterned skirt, framed by two trees with green leaves. Two women in white saris with red sleeves stand below. It is 7.1 inches wide and 11.4 deep.

Lively line work and a tree-lined stage.