Hues of devotion

Discover the ancient art of Pichwai, a tradition depicting Lord Krishna, now revived and adapted into modern forms.

Pichwai, an exquisite painting depicting Lord Krishna, is an approximately 400-year-old tradition.  Hung behind the deity in Nathdwara in Rajasthan, Shrinathji, it’s called ‘pichwai’ and the tradition continues to date. It is  an act of service. In the last few years, Indian folk art forms have seen a revival and Pichwai is one of them. No longer confined to temples, they have become the centre of attraction in drawing rooms across the country.

The art form is also being adapted on clothes and bags as well. Nobody could take their eyes off  Nita Ambani’s purple blouse paired with a Manish Malhotra Banarasi saree worn during her son Anant Ambani’s wedding last year. The blouse was based on a Pichwai by 77-year-old master artist Shehzaad Ali Sherani, which he had handpainted using real gold.

Sherani breathes and lives Pichwai. For him, it is an act of meditation and service to his Thakur ji. “Thakur ji to sabke hain. Jab tak Krishna ji ko dil me na utaar le to aap aisi painting nahi kar sakte (Krishna belongs to all. Until an artist loves Lord Krishna with all his heart, he cannot paint like that),” says Sherani, who is popularly called Bhaiyya ji.

So when an artist of that ilk brings his exhibition to the city, it shouldn’t be missed. “Shringar: The Divine Art of Pichwai,” his debut exhibition, brought by MeMeraki, a culture-tech platform promoting traditional Indian arts, is on at Shridharani Gallery.

The works include Pichwai in traditional style with a contemporary touch rendered in natural colours as well as real gold and silver leaves. The paintings portray scenes from the life of Lord Krishna, such as the Raas Leela, Govardhan Dharan, Sharad Purnima etc.  “In Pichwai, you have to stick to the theme of Lord Krishna but you have to be mindful if you introduce modern elements. I have mastered the colour scheme over the years ,” says the senior artist, who trained in various art forms under Kripal Singh Shekhawat and his father, Dr. Fayyaz, a polyglot scholar.

The artist says he is able to attain an antique look for his paintings through the unique application of colours that are made by him. “We use Palash tree flowers, Harsingaar flowers, vermillion, tea, and even extract a colour from the ashes. All the colours are sourced naturally and made by us — how I apply them distinguishes my work from others,” says Sherani.

Offering a critical glimpse into his style, curator Misha states, “ His work seamlessly blends the classic elements of Pichwai with influences from the Kishangarh school of Rajasthani miniature painting. This fusion is  evident in his stylistic depiction of women, characterised by lotus-bud eyes, arched eyebrows, and almost transparent dupattas (stoles). His  portrayal of grey water bodies and intricate marble architecture further enhances the aesthetic.”