Global InformationPichhwai information
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 painted pictures, normally on cloth, which portray Krishna.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4]
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.
- ^ 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)
- ^ "The colourful tradition of Indian Pichwai Painting". 15 July 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
- ^ Blurton, 142-143; Harle, 393
- ^ Blurton, 142-143