Pichhwai

Pichhwai (also pichhavai, pichhvai, pechhavai etc) are large devotional Hindu painted pictures, normally on cloth, which portray Krishna. They are mainly made to hang in Hindu temples of the Pushtimarg devotional tradition, especially the Shrinathji Temple in Nathdwara, Rajasthan, built around 1672. They are hung behind the idol of Shrinathji, a local form of Krishna and the centre of Pushtimarg worship, to depict his leelas. Aurangabad was another area associated with them.[2] 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.[3]

Pichhwai for the Festival of Cows, late 18th century, 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)[1]

The word Pichhwai stands for hanging at the back (Sanskrit word "Pichh" means back and "wais" means hanging). Nathdwara painting covers these and similar works in other genres, especially Indian miniature paintings. Like the Pushtimarg tradition, they originated in the Deccan, but are now mainly associated with Western India.

Modern 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 make 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.

  • Festival of the Cattle (Gopashtami); shrine hanging, 19th century, 223 cm (87.79″) x 220 cm (86.61″)
  • Gopis 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″)
  • Kota school, Rajasthan, "Priests worshipping Krishna as Shrinathji for Mountain of Food festival (Annakuta utsava), c. 1840, 188.5 cm (74.21″) x 144.5 cm (56.88″)
  • Krishna as Shrinathji and the Dancing Gopis, from the temple of Nathdvara, 19th century
  • 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
  1. This pichhwai is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a gift of The Friends of Asian Art in 2003 and may be seen in Gallery 243. (Accession #2003.177)
  2. Blurton, 142-143; Harle, 393
  3. Blurton, 142-143

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
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