“A picture is a poem without words” – Horace

Pichwai style of painting originated 400 years ago in the holy town of Nathdwara near Udaipur, Rajasthan. Pichwai is a Sanskrit word, where ‘pich’ stands for ‘back’ and ‘wai’ for ‘hanging’. Intricate and visually stunning, pichwai paintings can take several months to complete, and require immense skill, as the smallest details has to be painted with precision.

Lord Krishna is often the central subject depicted as Shrinathji. Other common subjects found in pichwai paintings are Radha, gopis, cows and lotuses. Festivals and celebrations such as Sharad Purnima, Raas Leela, Annakoot or Govardhan Puja, Janmashtami, Gopashtami, Nand Mahotsav, Diwali and Holi are the regular themes of this art form. The intent is to commemorate Krishna’s existence to the common men.

Over time, Pichwais also found a place in the homes of art connoisseurs, owing to their visual appeal. In modern contemporary India, an old art form like Pichwai, not only gives a traditional touch but also adds a glamorous aesthetic to the space that it is displayed in.