PichhwaiPichhwai

The The temple hangings of Nathdwara, known as pichhavaistemple hangings of Nathdwara, known as pichhavais (a (a

Hindi meaning ‘off behind’) are large cloth painting made in the Hindi meaning ‘off behind’) are large cloth painting made in the

traditional technique of Indian miniature painting traditional technique of Indian miniature painting

Used in daily worship in the central temple of Nathdwara, south Used in daily worship in the central temple of Nathdwara, south

Rajasthan, they are placed behind the deity of Shri Nathji (an aspect Rajasthan, they are placed behind the deity of Shri Nathji (an aspect

of Lord Krishna), acting as both ‘stage set’ andof Lord Krishna), acting as both ‘stage set’ and yantra yantra (a secred (a secred

geometric form). geometric form).

Pichhwai are pictorial ,narrating a legend or an incident from the life Pichhwai are pictorial ,narrating a legend or an incident from the life

of lord Krishna.of lord Krishna.

Richly colored cotton ,satin or velvet have been used for making Richly colored cotton ,satin or velvet have been used for making

these altar clothes.these altar clothes.

Velvet and satin pichwai are used in winter.Velvet and satin pichwai are used in winter.

Silk or cotton threadsSilk or cotton threads in bright in bright red,green,yellow and orangered,green,yellow and orange as as

well as darker shades are used for embroidering a well as darker shades are used for embroidering a red,purple,blue red,purple,blue

or white groundor white ground..

The The face of srinathjiface of srinathji, an incarnation of lord Krishna, is always depicted in , an incarnation of lord Krishna, is always depicted in

blue with a black outline.blue with a black outline.

In In patchworkpatchwork pichwaipichwai, green,yellow,black and white threads are , green,yellow,black and white threads are

embroidered on a red background, the whole work being offset with an embroidered on a red background, the whole work being offset with an

outline of white cord.outline of white cord.

The designs worked on pichwai select and depict events from the The designs worked on pichwai select and depict events from the

rasmandala,krishnaleela and gokulvana,all epics on the life of Krishna.rasmandala,krishnaleela and gokulvana,all epics on the life of Krishna.

Nathdwara Nathdwara pigment paintedpigment painted pichwai depict Krishna as shrinathji,the child pichwai depict Krishna as shrinathji,the child

god.god.

Scenes from Krishna's life –his childhood pranks, trysts with the gopis,the Scenes from Krishna's life –his childhood pranks, trysts with the gopis,the

raas Lila-are favorite subjects.raas Lila-are favorite subjects.

Portraits of the goswamijis (priests) and historical events connected with the Portraits of the goswamijis (priests) and historical events connected with the

pushti marg sect are also popular.pushti marg sect are also popular.

Use of strong colours,one careful detailing Use of strong colours,one careful detailing

South Indian pichwai are of two main types-South Indian pichwai are of two main types-

Those from the coromandel coast in southeast India Those from the coromandel coast in southeast India

Those from the deccanThose from the deccan

Deccani PichhwaiDeccani Pichhwai show Krishna being represented by the show Krishna being represented by the

kadamba tree, an interesting variant characteristic of south Indian kadamba tree, an interesting variant characteristic of south Indian

pichwai with a group of adoring gopis standing alongside, holding pichwai with a group of adoring gopis standing alongside, holding

offerings.offerings.

Rich in gold leaf, these images radiate an opulence that not only Rich in gold leaf, these images radiate an opulence that not only

lavishes sewa upon srinathji but revels the affluence of the patron.lavishes sewa upon srinathji but revels the affluence of the patron.

Pichhwai from coromandel coast were created by highly skilled artists using Pichhwai from coromandel coast were created by highly skilled artists using

the complex dyed and painted kalamkari technique. similar with nathdwara)the complex dyed and painted kalamkari technique. similar with nathdwara)

The mochi community of Kutch and northern Gujarat produced highly The mochi community of Kutch and northern Gujarat produced highly

precise, precise, flat chain-stitched embroidery called mochi Bharat or mochi flat chain-stitched embroidery called mochi Bharat or mochi

kaamkaam..

The introduction of lace making machines in England in the second half of The introduction of lace making machines in England in the second half of

the 19the 19thth century offered a brand new visual aesthetic as opposed to the century offered a brand new visual aesthetic as opposed to the

traditional brightly colored, painted, printed, tinsel-stamped and brocaded traditional brightly colored, painted, printed, tinsel-stamped and brocaded

versions.versions.

Mount GovardhanMount Govardhan

Ganga JamniGanga Jamni

Viraat Swaroop 148 figures