Nathdwara Pichwai Krishna Cloth Painting Rajsamand Rajasthan

Pichwai painting (from Sanskrit pichha — behind, wai — hanging) is a large devotional cloth painting produced in Nathdwara in Rajsamand district of Rajasthan as the primary visual expression of the Pushtimarg Vaishnava sect — the devotional tradition founded by Vallabhacharya in the 15th century and associated with the worship of Srinathji (a form of child Krishna). Pichwais are hung behind the idol of Srinathji at the Nathdwara temple during different festivals and are changed according to the liturgical calendar — some days the idol is depicted in a spring grove with blossoming Kadamba trees, other days in a monsoon setting with peacocks and rain clouds, others with cows at sunset. The paintings are executed on thick cotton or silk cloth prepared with chalk and rice-paste ground, using mineral pigments (lapis lazuli, gold leaf, malachite, vermillion) in a flat decorative style derived from Mughal miniature but with a devotional focus on the hieratic image of Srinathji at center surrounded by gopas and gopis. Approximately 300 to 500 artists in Nathdwara practice Pichwai painting professionally. Nathdwara pichwais range in size from 30 centimetres to 5 metres wide and can take months to complete for large temple installations. GI tag awarded. Export to collectors in USA, UK, and Southeast Asia. TIFAC survey estimates the Pichwai market at 30 to 50 crore rupees annually. Annual Annakuta festival in Nathdwara displays new Pichwai sets commissioned by wealthy devotees.