Different forms of art in India

Happy New Year to all you lovely people! I hope your year is full of good health, fun adventures and lots of learning. Since it is the new year, now let's start a new series on the various kinds of art in India. Pichwai, Warli, Tanjore, are some of the paintings that have been used for communication among people, preserving thoughts and heritage and also as functional decor. Pichwai is a Sanskrit word, where pich stands for ‘back’ and wai for ‘hanging’. Pichwai paintings are devotional pictures painted on cloth or wood. Mainly depicting the Krishna leela. This art was originated in villages in Aurangabad and Nathdwara in Rajasthan to document the colorful life of Krishna and his stories. Intricate motifs are used to create the difference between background and foreground. The subject is usually static or in a particular pose. The background is plain or shaded. Trees, leaves, flowers, dolis, cows, Krishna, Radha, Gopis are drawn with much delicate lines. Pichhwai painting is a group effort. Several skilful painters work together under the supervision of a master artist. They make wall hangings, frames and decor for back of the shrine. It is impossible to touch-up the artwork of Pichwai because of their fine detailing. Natural colours made by using coal, gold, silver, indigo, zinc, are saffron were used used in these paintings. Over time and with the impact of commercialization, artists started using a combination of natural and acrylic colours to give the atheistic touch to the paintings. The forms were also simplified and this style was used to make bed covers, lamp shades, pillow covers and wall paintings. Shrinathji in Pichwai style Story telling in Pichwai Art Contemporary style of painting cows