The Exquisite Indian Traditional Art of Pichwai Paintings

The Indian traditional art of Pichwai paintings are known for their intricate technique and quality that has existed for a long time now. The word Pichwai means ‘at the back’. Pichwai paintings are artisitc creations on cloth That hangs in the background to Srinathji’s idol in the sanctum sanctorum at Nathdwara as well as in other temples of Krishna. Pichwai paintings are forms of Indian traditional art work that has its roots in Rajasthan.

Another popular form of Indian traditional art from rajasthan are Phads. Pichwais are known to have more details and are refined more. As you scroll down, the account will present you with more information about these religiously beautiful paintings. One can even find pichwai paintings online now.

Pichwai paintings initially came to light when the sect Vallabhaichari fashioned 24 iconographic for Krishna’s image backdrop at Nathdwara. Each creation depicted a specific event or celebration or a festival. During the initial times, the art of Pichwai consisted of starched cloth that was later handspun. It was dipped in colors made from minerals and vegetables like indigo, orpiment, cochineal and lapis. The colors underwent changes with the course of time as the art received a dash of contemporary taste. Today, fabric colors are also used for these paintings.

These painitngs consists majorly of Shrinathji and his adventures as the subject of these paintings. These artworks are rooted deeply in the religion and are executed with greatest dedication of artists. Subjects or themes such as Holi, Govardhan Puja or Annakut and Raas Leela are also noticed on relevant occasions. Themes or subjects vary as per the season and its dispositions. For instance, paintings of summers have pink lotuses; Sharad Purnima illustrates a night scene with bright full moon shining in them.

The painting style springs from the Nathdwara School. The stand out characteristics include big eyes, wide nose and heavy body. The format for Pichwai is static. Even the natural components seem frozen here. Elements such as moon, lighting, stars and sun also have a prominencein these paintings. Deceptive simplicity of these paintings, veils sheets of symbolism and significance. If you are an art enthusiast,  you can find pichwai paintings online.

Pichwai art work is printed, painted using hand blocks, embroidered or adorned, woven in appliqué usually. Created in rich, dark colors, they are done on rough cloth which is hand spun as a part of exclusive technique. They employ flamboyant embroidery and silhouettes are usually dark colored with stitching colors such as green, cream, yellow and black where red is the most used color for backdrop.

Anotehr popular material used in the Pichvai paintings is the gold thread to potray and artist’s creativity. Pure gold makes the paintings shine with enhanced charm and brings more value. White color is employed for highlighting the outline.

A pichwai creator roughly sketches on a starched piece of cloth and fills it with colors thereafter. A painting ususally takes around a few week’s to a few month’s time to be prepared. In earlier days, colors were made from natural sources and the brushes were made of goat hair, squirrel hair or horse hair. But, today less pricey and readily available alternaitves are used. Scores of paintings are dipped in natural colors today even. The traditional fashion has not disappeared.

A few artists that you can find in the pichwai paintings include Shyam Sunderji Sharma, Shivji Ram Mali and Yug Deepak Soni. Out of many captivating Pichwais, some include artworks illustrating pageant of the life of Krishna. Several of them are purely poetry in paints whereas some are flamboyant Ras Leela vignettes.

A Rajasthan as the origin of the pichwai paintings has holds great pride in contributing to the country’s rich culture and heritage. Through Rajasthan’s artwork, its esteem towards its heritage can be easily reflected. Such legacy pride is reflected in the Pichwai paintings. Miniature versions as an intervention in the existing art techniques are now introduced by various art enthusiasts. 

You can now browse for pichwai paintings online from some authentic and credible platform and bring home a valuable pichwai painting.