The literal meaning of Pichwai is that painting hangs from the back. These are large devotional paintings created on cloth, especially of Lord Krishna.
Pichwai Paintings are Hindu-devoted pictures that portray Lord Krishna. They are appropriate to be hung in your Pooja room or place of worship so that your walls look exquisite and holy.
The birth of Pichwai paintings took place in Nathdwara, Rajasthan. It is a temple town that continuously creates vibrant-hued paintings on sheets using different techniques like blocks, embroidery or weaving.
Handspun starched cotton fabric is the original fabric that was used to create Pichwai paintings. The artisans used to sketch the designs on the cloth, and then it was painted using organic and natural colours using natural paint brushes.
The Pichwai paintings are important as they signify many auspicious Hindu festivals, like Janmashtami, Raas Leela, Sharad Purnima and various others through paintings.
You can easily recognise a Pichwai painting through these points: The posture of Shreenath Ji, they are steeped in tradition, made by immense skill, so there is no room for error, special paints and colours are used, and the emphasis is on miniature work.
Cow plays an important role in these paintings as Lord Krishna was a cowherd in the early years, and Pichwai paintings focus on the events of Shri Krishna's life.