Shrinathji Pichwai Painting - Traditional Form of Srinathji (Krishna)
Rare Picchwai painting of exact traditional form of Shrinathji. This Pichwai is very rare in the sense that it faithfully depicts Srinathji (Krishna) in his traditional attire. All traditional jewellery worn by Srinathji (Krishna) is painted beautifully and real gold paint derived out of 24 carat gold has been used in the painting. The painting is finished in antique Pichwai look. <br> <br>Srinathji is seen with his left hand upraised, indicative of when he lifted Govardhana hill to save the residents of Vraja from Indra ’s wrath, as mentioned in Bhagavatam, one of the eighteen puranas and also one of the most authoritative. He is conceived as a child of seven. His right hand rests on his hip but seldom visible since it is covered by lavish jewellery he wears. Srinathji is also seen wearing a cloth that appears to be flowing around him. <br> <br>He wears a crown studded with peacock feathers, carries lotus flowers with long stems in his right hand, which appears to be resting on a stick like arm rest. His long hair are tied in a flowing-braid decorated with flowers. His long, drooping eyes seem to looking down (probably at the Vraja-people who are shaded by the hill he is supporting). He has a subtle, nearly teasing smile on his lips, probably in anticipation of Indra ’s frustration. <br> <br>Very beautiful Pichwai painted in subtle colours and real gold paint derived out of 24 carat gold has been used in the painting. 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.
