Yugdeepak Soni brings the centuries-old pichwai tradition to Forum Art Gallery, Chennai
Artist Yugdeepak Soni is showcasing the traditional Indian art form of 'pichwai' at the Forum Art Gallery in Chennai. The exhibit highlights the historical and cultural significance of these intricate cloth paintings, which depict the life of Shrinathji.
Why it matters
This highlights the preservation of centuries-old cultural traditions and the role of contemporary artists in keeping heritage art forms relevant.
Almost 400 years ago, in the small temple town of Nathdwara in Rajasthan, an art form emerged in which painters began covering cloth backdrops with images of Shrinathji — the seven-year-old form of Krishna worshipped there, characterised by almond-shaped eyes, a stocky build, and a sharp nose. These hangings, called pichwais (from pichh , meaning ‘behind’, and wai , meaning ‘hanging’), were draped behind the idol, changing with the seasons and festivals.
At Forum Art Gallery, artist Yugdeepak Soni brings that same tradition through his Sri Pichwai exhibit. The paintings are a part of the pichwai legacy rooted in the Pushtimarg tradition of the 16th Century. Yugdeepak, who hails from Udaipur, has been associated with pichwai artworks for more than two decades now. He is the student of his nanaji (grandfather), Badri Lal Chitrakar from Bhilwara, Rajasthan.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in