The state of Jharkhand in India is located in the eastern part of the country and is known for its vivid culture, distinct paintings, traditions and festivals.^[1]

Hindi is the official language of Jharkhand. There are many regional and tribal languages in Jharkhand.^[1]

The regional languages that belong to the Indo-Aryan branch; in Jharkhand, they are Khortha, Nagpuri, and Kudmali spoken by the Sadan, the Indo-Aryan ethnic groups of Chotanagpur.^[2] Other Indo-Aryan languages include Bhojpuri, Magahi, Maithili, Bengali, and Odia.^[3] The languages that belong to the Austroasiatic branch are Mundari, Santali, Bhumij and Ho. The languages that belong to the Dravidian language family are Kurukh and Malto.^[1]

The staple foods in Jharkhand are rice, dal, vegetables, and tubers. Some dishes include Chilka Roti, Malpua, Dhooska, Arsa roti, and Pitha. Rugra (a type of mushroom) and bamboo shoots are also used as vegetables.^[4][5] The leaves of the Munga tree (Moringa oleifera) and the Koinar tree (Bauhinia variegata) are used as leafy vegetables or Saag.^[6]

Local alcoholic drinks are Handia made from rice and Mahua ,daru made from flowers of the Mahua tree.^[7][8][9]

There are several folk dances in Jharkhand, including Jhumair, Domkach, Lahasua, Vinsariya, Jhumta, Fagua, Firkal, Painki, and Chhau.^[13]

• Jhumair: Being a popular folk dance in Jharkhand, it is performed during harvest and festival season in which people hold hands and dance in circles. It is folk dance of Sadan, native Indo-Aryan ethnic groups of Jharkhand. The musical instruments used in this festival include Mandar, Dhol, Bansi, Nagara, Dhak, Shehnai, and Khartal. There are varieties to this dance, such as Khortha Jhumair, Nagpuri Jhumair, and Kurmali Jhumair. The Nagpuri version also have Mardani Jhumar and Janani Jhumar as varieties.
• Domkach: A Nagpuri folk dance performed by the family of the bridegroom on the occasion of marriage. The theme of the songs carried in this dance is satirical. Some of the many songs played are ek haria, dohri, adh ratia, bihanwa.
• Paiki: Also known as Paika is a nagpuri martial dance performed by men wearing ghungroos. The dance is composed of sword and shield carrying accompanied by music played on the Nagara, Dhak, and Shehnai.
• Chhau dance: A semi-classical dance with martial, tribal, and folk traditions. Seraikella Chhau is found in Seraikella district of Jharkhand.
• Mundari dance: A dance performed by the Munda tribe during harvest and festival season.
• Santali dance: A dance performed by the Santal tribe during harvest and festival season.

Musical instruments used include Mandar, Dholki, Bansi, Nagara, Dhak, Shehnai, Khartal, and Narsinga, among others.

Sohrai painting is performed during the Sohrai festival. Various designs are painted in courtyards and on walls.^[14]

The local tattoo tradition of Godna is an essential part of local tradition.^[15]

Jharkhand produces many films in regional languages, including Nagpuri, Khortha, Santali, Ho, and Kurukh.^[16] The first feature film of Jharkhand was Aakarant, made under the banner of Drishyantar International in 1988. The first Nagpuri film was Sona Kar Nagpur (1994), produced and directed by Dhananjay Nath Tiwari.^{[17][18][19][20]}