Exhibitions

Lot 4

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Mahesh Sharma
Mayyur

- The pichwai tradition refers to elaborate cloth hangings depicting Srinathji, another name for Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Pichwai, etymologically meaning "at the back" or "behind," are suspended for ritual worship especially in the temples of Nathdwara, a cluster of small dwellings near Udaipur in Rajasthan, associated with the celebration of Krishna as Shrinathji. The temple of Nathdwara is regarded as the home of Shrinathji, where Krishna is revered by adherents of Pushti Marg - a Vaishnava sect founded by Vallabhacharya at the turn of the 16th century. Pichwai, which can be painted, embroidered, printed, woven, decorated with applique or even machine - made, add a visual dimension to the elaborate seva or service to Shrinathji on different occasions, lending an air of splendour to the shrine.

Shrinathji is dressed differently not only for each festival but for each darshan (viewing) of the day; this is depicted on the pichwai for the audience to see from a distance. The pichwai is, however, not a mere backdrop but a means of interaction with every devotee present, akin to a tableau vivant into which a spectator is completely absorbed. Pichwai centred around Gopashtami, a festival dedicated to the worship of Krishna and cattle, feature cows and bulls. During Sharat Purnima, a harvest festival celebrated on a full moon night in the autumn month of Ashwin, the pichwai depict Krishna dancing with gopis. Festivals such as Holi, Janmashtami and Annakuta are also popularly depicted.

Methods employed in the miniature painting tradition are used for Nathdwara's pichwai paintings. The image is enclosed within a dark border, and is usually rendered flatly. Some hangings are adorned with ornamental designs and gems, depending on the season and occasion. They vary in size, with the Pushtimarg temples displaying the largest paintings - up to 10 feet by 6 feet.

Some of the finest pichwai paintings are part of several private and public collections around the world. The Calico Museum of Textiles in Ahmedabad is known for its extensive collection, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (Virginia), the Arthur M Sackler Gallery (Washington, DC), and the Victoria and Albert Museum (London), among others, also house pichwai in their collections.

- The pichwai tradition refers to elaborate cloth hangings depicting Srinathji, another name for Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Pichwai, etymologically meaning "at the back" or "behind," are suspended for ritual worship especially in the temples of Nathdwara, a cluster of small dwellings near Udaipur in Rajasthan, associated with the celebration of Krishna as Shrinathji. The temple of Nathdwara is regarded as the home of Shrinathj

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