Shrinathji Pichwai Painting - Srinathji (Krishna) Temple Opulence
Authentic Picchwai painting of Shrinathji served by Yamuna Devi and Vallabhacharya. This is a fantastic Pichwai painting of a spiritual conception of the temple of Srinathji (Krishna) in Nathdwara, Rajasthan. Pichwai paintings hold a special place among Rajasthani art paintings and this Pichwai art in particular is an outstanding painting for sale. Centred around Srinathji, the main deity, it depicts Sri Vallabhacharya at the left and Sri Yamuna Devi on the right who is serving Shrinathji with Vallabhacharya. <br> <br>The trio are flanked by Gopis on either side, each offering Srinathji loving devotional service. The devotion of cowherd-women of Vraja in Vrindavan is considered to be that of the highest order. The flora in the background is coloured in beautiful shades of Green and the entire Pichwai painting is framed in an ornately painted border. <br> <br>All colours are natural colors obtained by grinding natural stone of different hues and the golden colour is real Gold foil and paint. There are various musician-devotees shown sitting on the ground chanting hymns in praise of Srinathji. <br> <br>The word Srinath is a combination of two words ‘Sri ’ and ‘Nath ’. Sri means Lakshmi (consort of Lord Vishnu or Krishna) and Nath means Master. So ‘Srinath ’ is a name of Krishna which means Master or Husband of Lakshmi. The suffix ‘Ji ’ is commonly used at the end of names in North India, Rajasthan in particular, to ascribe respect to the person being referred to. <br> <br><a href="https://www.cottage9.com/art-technique/art-of-pichwai-painting/">Pichwai paintings</a> only have Srinathji for their theme and the scenes painted are mostly from Srinathji ’s loving sports in Vrindavan with Gopis and cowherds. Pichwai art emerged when the cloth-sheet serving as a background behind the statue of Srinathji was beautified with Rajasthani style paintings created by devotee-artists. In-fact the word Pichwai is a derivative of the Hindi word ‘Peeche ’ which means Behind. <br> <br>The painters, in their dedication to Srinathji went on creating new background cloth-sheets painted with various themes for different occasions. The discarded sheets were preserved and thus started a whole genre of Rajasthani art called Pichwai and alongside emerged a team of devoted artists who would dedicate their art in service of Srinathji and keep painting for generations that continues till date. Many of these artists are still ardent devotees themselves and lead a very simple life. <br> <br>Srinathji ’s temple is located in Nathdwara, a small town in Rajasthan. The elaborate set of customs and procedures of offering loving service to Srinathji were founded by Vallabhcharya, an ardent devotee of Srinathji, great Sanskrit scholar and a philosopher. He founded the ‘Pushti Marg ’ of devotional service to Lord Krishna wherein the Supreme Being is conceived of not as all-powerful, hard to access Brahman of the Vedas but a small, loving child in want of his devotee ’s loving service. <br> <br>Srinathji is therefore pampered with choicest of delicacies, rich garments by doting devotees throughout the day with elaborate rituals and procedures. All our Pichwai paintings for sale are rendered on cotton cloth and hand-painted by traditional Pichwai artists.
