# Pichhwai > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Pichhwai > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Pichhwai.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pichhwai > Source revision: 1311510416 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Hindu painted pictures portraying Krishna}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}} {{Use Indian English|date=March 2019}} [[File:MET DP156677.jpg|thumb|Pichhwai for the Festival of Cows, late 18th century, [Aurangabad](/source/Aurangabad)(?), painted and printed gold and silver leaf and opaque watercolor on indigo-dyed cotton, 97 5/8 x 103 1/8 inches (248 x 262 cm)This pichhwai is in the collection of the [Metropolitan Museum of Art](/source/Metropolitan_Museum_of_Art), a gift of The Friends of Asian Art in 2003 and may be seen in Gallery 243. (Accession #2003.177)]] '''Pichhwai''' (also pichwai, '''pichhavai''', pichhvai, pechhavai etc), literally meaning 'that which hangs from the back' from the Sanskrit words "Pichh" means back and "wais" means hanging, are large devotional [Hindu](/source/Hindu) painted pictures, normally on cloth, which portray [Krishna](/source/Krishna).{{Cite web |date=2022-07-15 |title=The colourful tradition of Indian Pichwai Painting |url=https://indianartspalace.in/the-colorful-tradition-of-indian-pichwai-paintings/ |access-date=2022-08-10 |language=en-US}} They are mainly made to hang in [Hindu temple](/source/Hindu_temple)s of the [Pushtimarg](/source/Pushtimarg) devotional tradition, especially the [Shrinathji Temple](/source/Shrinathji_Temple) in [Nathdwara](/source/Nathdwara), [Rajasthan](/source/Rajasthan), built around 1672. They are hung behind the idol of [Shrinathji](/source/Shrinathji), a local form of Krishna and the centre of Pushtimarg worship, to depict his ''leelas.'' [Aurangabad](/source/Aurangabad) was another area associated with them.Blurton, 142-143; Harle, 393 The purpose of pichhwais, other than artistic appeal, is to narrate tales of Krishna to the illiterate. Temples have sets with different images, which are changed according to the [calendar of festivals celebrating the deity](/source/Shrinathji).Blurton, 142-143 [Nathdwara painting](/source/Nathdwara_painting) covers these and similar works in other genres, especially [Indian miniature painting](/source/Indian_miniature_painting)s. Like the Pushtimarg tradition, they originated in the Deccan, but are now mainly associated with [Western India](/source/Western_India).{{Cite web |date=2025-03-05 |title=What is Pichwai Painting? Exploring the Art Form and its History |url=https://www.rangreli.com/blogs/news/pichwai-painting-and-history |access-date=2025-03-28|language=en-US}} == Style of Painting == === Iconography === The main image portrayed in Pichhwai paintings is [Shrinathji](/source/Shrinathji). This 700+ years old form of [Krishna](/source/Krishna), is the presiding deity worshipped at the [Shrinathji Temple](/source/Shrinathji_Temple) with many paintings showing the rituals and worship offered to the deity in the temple. Modern pichhwais may also portray other forms of Krishna worshipped in the Pushtimarg tradition such as Dwarkadish, the presiding deity at the [Dwarkadish Temple](/source/Dwarkadhish_Temple). Whilst these paintings focus on Shrinathji, paintings often depicts other deities in the tradition such as [Yamunaji](/source/Yamuna_in_Hinduism), Goswamis such as [Vallabha](/source/Vallabha)charya and other priests.{{Cite web|title=The Pichwai Tradition: Tapestries of Krishna|url=https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-pichwai-tradition-tapestries-of-krishna/6gVBMaDSAPGtIw|access-date=2022-02-11|website=Google Arts & Culture|language=en}} === Themes === Pichhwais have two main functions within the [Pushtimarg Sampradaya](/source/Pushtimarg). Ones used as backdrops on the inner sanctums in the shrines, they are changed daily and are designed in accordance to the season, festival and rituals of that day. Other pichhwais are artists documentation of the worship in the faith. Each festival and ritual within the faith is an elaborate affair with a pichhwai showcasing the [adornment](/source/adornment), emotions, mood, music, food and dancing that encompasses the worship.{{Cite web |title=The Pichwai Tradition: Tapestries of Krishna |url=https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-pichwai-tradition-tapestries-of-krishna/6gVBMaDSAPGtIw |access-date=2022-03-19 |website=Google Arts & Culture |language=en}} With daily worship of Shrinathji having 8 different formal viewings, pichhwais may often depict the eight different adornments associated with each viewing. Festivals such as [Govardhan Puja](/source/Govardhan_Puja), [Sharad Purnima](/source/Sharad_Purnima), [Raslila](/source/Raslila), [Holi](/source/Holi) alongside other prominent festivals in Pushtimarg are depicted with vivid detail on the modes of worship and the items used. These Pichwais often also as a historical documentation on how and who participated in these festival throughout the doctrine's history. ==History of Production== === 16th - 19th Century === In 1672 CE when the [Shrinathji temple](/source/Shrinathji_Temple) was established, Vitthalnath the chief priest and son of the [Pushitmarg](/source/Pushtimarg) sect founder [Vallabha](/source/Vallabha)chrya, employed artisans under the temple administration to create pichhwais. These were traditionally made by the artisans only on commission by the chief priest for religious worship and ceremonies.{{Cite journal|last=Singh|first=Kanak Lata|title=Impact of Nationalism on Pichhavai Paintings|journal=Textiles and Clothing Research Centre e-Journal|volume=3|pages=11–14}} However in the coming centuries, as the sect grew to various part of India such as [Gujarat](/source/Gujarat) and [Mathura](/source/Mathura), the art styles reached those places as well. Pichhwais were made to be taken by pilgrims from [Shrinathji temple](/source/Shrinathji_Temple) but were also commissioned by wealthy families. The heavy and intricate nature of this art also led to its favour by theatre companies, with production companies commissioning as backdrops for productions.{{Cite book|last=Emilia.|first=Ghose, Madhuvanti. Ambalal, Amit, 1943- Krishna, Kalyan. Lyons, Tryna. Shah, Anita. Bachrach|url=https://worldcat.org/oclc/1250165281|title=Gates of the Lord : The Tradition of Krishna Paintings|date=2015|publisher=Art Institute of Chicago|isbn=978-0-300-21472-7|oclc=1250165281}} === 19th Century === The start of the century had westernised art school painting forms gaining more preferability to the Indian business and upper classes compared to traditional styles such as pichhwai. To increase pichhwai demand, artisans started to make slight shifts in their painting techniques. Pichwais were made both in the traditional style, but also started to incorporate western influences such as using oil paints and using [realism](/source/Realism_(arts)) rather than the traditional stylistic approach. One example is that the feet drawn in these paintings, particularity that of [Shrinathji](/source/Shrinathji), were drawn with the western art technique of [Foreshortening](/source/Perspective_(graphical)) rather than the traditional portrayal of feet being sideways. However, this time period also had heavy influence from political movements such as the [Swadeshi movement](/source/Swadeshi_movement), where traditional Indian art, cultures and music was encouraged to be support. This, alongside the religious nature of the art form led artists to favour the traditional art styles and most artisans stayed with using traditional techniques in their own style. === Modern Day Production === Pichhwai have become the main export of Nathdwara and are in much demand among foreign visitors. The artists live mostly in Chitron ki gali (Street of paintings) and Chitrakaron ka mohallah (colony of painters) and are a close community with constant interaction. Often a pichhwai painting is a group effort, where several skilful painters work together under the supervision of a master artist. There has also been a push by other artists and designers to preserve and showcase this art form to a wider, international audience. Designers have utilised the traditional colours, printing techniques and pattern styles associated pichhwai, in clothing attires and showcase them on international platforms such as [Lakmé Fashion Week](/source/Lakme_Fashion_Week).{{Cite journal|last=Sachwani|first=Nikita|date=May 2021|title=REJUVENATING FOLK PAINTINGS ON TEXTILE PRODUCTS: A REVIEW|url=https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/74636564/REJUVENATING_FOLK_PAINTINGS_ON_TEXTILE_PRODUCTS_A_REVIEW-with-cover-page-v2.pdf?Expires=1644014475&Signature=MQ6Tq9Ty1q-2SbVAm-GHK5KxcUz-wqsV6uN6bVg-eqA2fTnrh0MNm4ugTFA5GB8b95TX~-h-td7aK4cKHt9w8mQcHHSf~723JPsue1ExY4I87V9s5j5MD3r-zNcHBW4coC099cUa3t76tWcDtBlcWq2Jb~BjUzO0HEv1-Tpa~fakX5r1wgbJKJGvagKxFXNARl6nDUQvzXjYV1vt9HBW3MyXILwwfEVqXGS8b2-c9eQ3rMVQG-ChTqQvUUGM5kE-o76JQ7TWwCfOuvlq2JY7CrxddwESjy8ZIu3jTXuIKYKhRNrBm1s1cISI-3zzc4aNLmbvB-y41bo465n7ZZAkIg__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA|journal=Textile Value Chain}} ==== Artisans ==== Whilst little is known before the 19th century, the pichhwai artisans in [Nathdwara](/source/Nathdwara) come from three main sub-castes, the Adi Gaur who claim to have migrated from [Udaipur](/source/Udaipur), the Jangirs were migrated from [Jaipur](/source/Jaipur) and [Jodhpur](/source/Jodhpur), and the lesser known Mewaras. File:Rajasthan, India - Festival of the Cattle (Gopashtami); shrine hanging (pichhavai) - Google Art Project.jpg|Festival of the Cattle (Gopashtami); shrine hanging, 19th century, 223 cm (87.79″) x 220 cm (86.61″) File:Temple hanging (pechhavai) - Google Art Project.jpg|[Gopi](/source/Gopi)s and cows, late 18th century, cotton plain-weave, dyed and painted with opaque watercolors, gold and silver, 244 cm (96.06″) x 254 cm (100″) File:Kota school, Rajasthan, India - Priests worshipping Krishna as Shrinathji for Mountain of Food festival (Annakuta utsava); shrine ha... - Google Art Project.jpg|[Kota](/source/Kota%2C_Rajasthan) school, Rajasthan, "Priests worshipping Krishna as [Shrinathji](/source/Shrinathji) for Mountain of Food festival (Annakuta utsava), c. 1840, 188.5 cm (74.21″) x 144.5 cm (56.88″) File:Krishna (Shrinathji) and the Dancing Gopis. Pichhavai from the Temple of Nathdvara, Rajasthan, 19 sent. Staatlische Museen, Berlin..jpg|Krishna as Shrinathji and the Dancing Gopis, from the temple of Nathdvara, 19th century File:A pichhvai of the Vraj Parikrama 19th c., showing Krishna as Shrinathji.jpg|Unusual pichhwai showing the Vraj Parikrama, a circular pilgrimage route around the locations of Krishna's life, 65¾ x 47 in. (168 x 120 cm.), 19th century. ==Notes== {{commons category|Pichhwai}} {{Reflist}} ==References== *Blurton, T. Richard, ''Hindu Art'', 1994, British Museum Press, {{ISBN|0 7141 1442 1}} *Harle, J.C., ''The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent'', 2nd edn. 1994, Yale University Press Pelican History of Art, {{ISBN|0300062176}} Category:Vaishnavism Category:Rajasthani arts Category:Genres of Indian art Category:Rajsamand district Category:Indian painting --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Pichhwai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pichhwai) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pichhwai?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.