Festival of Cattle Pichwai Painting - Handpainted

HISTORY

Pichwai paintings are beautiful examples of India’s traditional art and craftsmanship. The word ‘Pichwai’ comes from pich (back) and wai (textile wall hanging), as these paintings were once hung behind the idol of Srinathji in temples. Over time, handcrafted Pichwai art has evolved to include not just religious themes but also peaceful scenes of nature, flowers, and animals.

DESCRIPTION

At the heart of the painting stands Shrinathji, rendered in his iconic deep indigo hue, exuding divine calm and compassion. He is adorned with intricately painted garlands, jewels, and textiles, every ornament drawn with fine, deliberate strokes that evoke opulence yet maintain spiritual restraint. His raised left hand — symbolizing the lifting of the Govardhan Hill signifies protection and the divine shelter he extends to all beings.

Surrounding the deity are rows of white cows, each exquisitely hand-detailed, reflecting the artist’s devotion and precision. The cows form a symmetrical composition that visually radiates outwards from the central figure, representing the universal harmony emanating from the divine.Behind Shrinathji, the verdant hills of Govardhan rise in stylized tiers of lush greens and golds. The artist frames the natural abundance with banana trees and celestial flora, anchoring the spiritual realm within the natural world.

Above, the moonlit sky glimmers with white dots symbolic stars that heighten the ethereal mood. Below, a pond filled with blooming lotuses mirrors the divine radiance above, suggesting the eternal connection between heaven and earth. The border, adorned with floral vines and delicate patterns in pink and yellow, ties the entire composition together in perfect aesthetic and symbolic harmony.

MATERIALS: Locally sourced - all organic crushed stone dyes, Fine spun cotton.

PROCESS AND CRAFT

Our paintings are made on fine spun cotton fabric using all natural organic dyes made from crushed natural stones found in Hilly regions of northern India.

The crushed stones are mixed with natural gum and water to form paint-like consistency.

The artwork is further adorned with gold leaf, sometimes 24 karat gold leaf to give it life.

These Pichwai paintings are also made on canvas or paper.

NOTE: Vintage inspired Paintings often have intentional discolouration and creases, made to add value and retain its authentic vintage aura. These are authentic paintings made by Indian artisans.

CARE

The painting should not be regularly cleaned, but only when required. The front of the painting should be cleaned gently with a soft brush to remove the loose dust on the painted surface.

If you want to use the painting without a glass backing, keep the painting away from moisture and humidity.

If you want to have an artwork in a location where there is direct sunlight at times, do consider having it framed behind a UV protected glass.

Paintings made on paper or canvas need to be framed in glass.