How is Pichwai made?

India is a hub of art, culture and traditions. Every part of India has its specialisation. It is either a famous historic place, a festival, or a ritual being followed for a long time. From ancient times, it has been observed that tribal people used to engrave on walls. They tried communicating their tales through creativity, patterns, designs or language. Since then, art and creativity have held on to a more significant part of the life of individuals. Art is a medium or one way of conveying messages and communicating.

What is the relevance of ancient art in the modern day?

To keep history and heritage alive, it is essential to pass on the tales in any form to keep the culture and traditions alive. In the modern-day, with the advancement of technology, the traditional aspects are losing their touch. It is essential to make the youth aware of the importance and significance of our history and its related things. Art and culture are crucial subjects that should be compulsory not only in schools but in high-level studies so that, like the Romans, Europeans, and French flaunt their art and artists; we Indians are not to lack behind.

Creativity has no limits, and it is endless as the sky. Creativity is ready to flow out, be it the genre of movies, music or the variations of art and colours. Various famous paintings of India have caught the eye of true art lovers, like Kalamkari, Madhubani, Pattachitra, Warli, Pithora Painting, and many more. One of these gorgeous paintings is the Nathdwara painting from the Nathdwara temple in Rajasthan. Nathdwara paintings are miniature paintings that are part of the folk art of India. These paintings emerged in the Rajsamand district in Rajasthan.

Under the Nathdwara paintings are the sub-categories, the most renowned of which are the Pichwai Paintings. Pichwai paintings are so famous that there are buyers for them not only in India but they get exported in foreign countries too. Pichwai painting is the most organic and natural art that is made and presented in India. The word Pichwai is taken from Sanskrit, where Pich means “Back” and Wai implies “hanging”. These paintings are huge religious paintings that used to be hung in Hindu temples behind the idol of Shreenathji.

The most attractive aspect is the theme of these Pichwai paintings. These paintings are made from the muse out of the tales of Lord Krishna. These paintings include the form of Lord Krishna as Shrinathji, Lord Krishna, Radha, gopis, and mystical elements like lotus, elephants, peacocks and more. The central protagonist is Shrinath Ji; these pichwai paintings revolve around Lord Krishna.

The tradition of Pichwai painting is such that it is not a one-man job. This artistry of pichwai paintings is not taught in any educational school or institution. Instead, this art can be learnt under the guidance of the masters of Pichwai art, who have gained such experience that only they can teach others this subject. In the making of the Pichwai painting, more than one artist gathered together and worked on the cloth; yes, this painting is not made on any canvas; instead, it is made on a handspun starched cotton cloth. Since it tells religious tales and is supposed to be hung in temples, there is no room for error. These paintings require vigilant concentration and are made under the supervision and guidance of the master artist.

The best part of the pichwai paintings is that there are no rules related to how to hang them up on walls. These have the foremost purpose of adornment and are hung behind the idols of Shreenathji in temples but are now used as decorative wall hangings at home. They have no religious value but are a masterpiece of art that tells ancient tales.

The pichwai painting is a natural art form using the most natural products. The cloth used for pichwai painting is cotton, and the brushes are made of animal hair like horses, squirrel, and goats’ tails. The paints are also pure organic and natural, made from vegetable dyes, Indigo, cow urine and more. The colours are kept in coconut shells, and from there, they are used. There is the use of gold as the Painting of Shreenathji is one where he is adorned with ornaments, so the conversion of gold is done into colour, which takes a few days as it is a slow process. The dominating colours in the painting are black, yellow, red and green.

Pichwai Painting is a form of natural art famous among people of India and loved by passionate art lovers abroad. The journey pichwai painting has covered is commendable as from the small town of Nathdwara in Rajasthan to being hung up on the walls of museums in foreign countries is a massive achievement for both the art and the artist.