Santhal paintings emerge as an individual genre of tribal art associated with the Santhal tribe, considered one of the largest tribal communities in India with an original habitat extending mainly into Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha. The paintings concern scrolls, walls, and fabric, illustrating legends, activities in daily life, and religious subject matters. One such painting deals with the Krishna-lila, pictured to display the superlatives of Lord Krishna's life in a highly colorful yet naive manner.

From a Santhal artist's perspective, naturally occurring pigments have been fashioned from leaves, clay, and flowers. They unfold brightly colorized pictures in paintings characterized by bold lines and colors, with little attempt to suggest perspective. The figures are largely two dimensional, while clothing, jewelry, and facial expressions are rich in detail.
Santhal paintings have Krishna-lila as a theme that shows an intersection of the tribe with Hindu mythology yet with its own artistic vocabulary. One might call these works of art, but they actually tell stories, giving voice to the culture down the generations.
The Department of Art and Culture in the northern Bihar state of India has recognized and appreciated Santhal painting on the global platform, its paintings protected in various museums and art exhibitions for sustainability of the promotion of the forms.