Pichwai Art of India

Pichwai or ‘pichvai’ painting form is one of the most impressive and traditional art forms of India. These 400-year-old paintings have their roots in Nathdwara Rajasthan. Some people also believe that these paintings have originated from the villages of Aurangabad.

Pichwai paintings are usually large-sized paintings depicted on cotton cloth using natural colours. It generally portrays devotional pictures that narrate the tales of Lord Krishna.

The making of these conventional painting consumes a substantial amount of time, which generally ranges from a couple of weeks to months. The process of making these paintings begin with the initial sketch on a hand-spun starched cloth. Once the beautiful sketch is created, it is painted and printed by using brilliant colours or woven with hand blocks. To paint the classic styles of art, the artists generally use natural colours and natural brushes.

Today, Pichwai paintings have become the major export of Nathdwara. This classical form of art is much appreciated and has a great demand among foreign visitors. Most of the time, these paintings are the result of a group effort, where several skilful artists put together their efforts under the leadership of a master artist.

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