Shringar: The Celebrated Art of Pichwai Back on Display at New Delhi
‘Shringar: The Divine Art of Pichwai’ comes back on display at New Delhi through an exhibition at Shridharani Gallery, Triveni Kala Sangam. The exhibition is from 12 January, 2025 to 21 January. The exhibition will feature over 30 works of renowned Master Artist Shehzad Ali Sherani of the Kishangarh School of Art, Rajasthan. As a custodian of the heritage of Pichwai, the generational artist has devoted decades to perfect and promote the art form. The themes of this exhibition revolve around the Leelas of Shrinathji – the mythological infant form (or Swaroop) of Lord Krishna, normally depicted as a seven year old child – along with Shehzaad Ali Sherani’s individualistic depiction and other symbolic elements of Pichwai.
The exhibition displays Pichwai in both traditional and modern style, prepared using natural colours and real gold and silver leaves, along with a unique amalgamation of traditional Indian art forms. It also displays a few masterpieces of Shehzad Ali Sherani in the Kishangarh School style. The state of Rajasthan is replete with unique art forms, belonging to both temple and court varieties. While Pichwai originated as a temple art form in the 17th century, Kishangarh School originated in the 18th century. Both the styles offer a spiritual depiction of Krishna, portraying scenes from his life, such as the Raas Leela, Govardhan Dharan, and nature.
Talking to The AIDEM, Shagufta Siddhi, Founder of the Ganga Jamuni Foundation, which specialises in oral history documentation and promoting cultural dialogue, pointed out that Pichwai art was initially commissioned by Shrinath ji temples to use as backdrops and at that time the Pichwais did not have the central Swaroop. “However, in due course of time Swaroop as well as various festivities and seasons were depicted. Artists are usually non- Muslims from western Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan who moved to Nathdwara where the main Shrinathji temple is. But, Picchwais are painted in other centres as well. Kishangarh school of art has had a profound influence on the art of the Pichwais. Artists are not bound by caste, religion or religious strictures.. The very act of painting is considered seva (worship), who performs the seva is between him and his maker.”
The exhibition has been curated by MeMeraki, India’s first culture-tech platform promoting traditional Indian arts, enabling generational Master Artists from the remotest corners of India to be able to reach a global audience. Along with the exhibition of unique artwork, MeMeraki has organised art workshops too to enhance the experience to the visitors and connoisseurs of art.
About MeMeraki:
MeMeraki’s (MeMeraki.com) work is focussed on spotlighting India’s traditional master artists as our national treasures and showcasing them on the global art form. They have worked with over 350 master artisans from the remotest corners of India. Their platform (www.memeraki.com) enables traditional artists to both teach and sell their art through our platform to patrons across the world.
As India’s Master Artists do not have a voice or presence in the digital world at all and hence it is MeMeraki’s mission to ensure that they can get the world to know them, to understand their work and understand the effort that goes behind their work. India is home to over 3000 traditional arts and crafts and MeMeraki has catalogued over 100 of these with over 10,000 artworks and products that they have catalogued.
MeMeraki is leveraging technology effectively towards this mission with an online first approach as well as using innovative tech like Augmented reality to help patrons of art visualise artworks better in their homes. MeMeraki are the recipients of the Sankalp Global Impact Innovation Award’21 and have been part of the Google Accelerator and the Meta Accelerator in India.
About the Artist:
Shehzaad Ali Sherani, affectionately known as Bhaiyaji, is a highly regarded artist from Kishangarh, representing the 14th generation of a lineage tracing back to Ujala Khan, who was brought to Kishangarh from the Delhi courts. His expertise in Pichwai and Kishangarh painting has garnered significant recognition, including the State Award and the Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi award. As a child, Ali’s interest in art was cultivated by his father, Dr. Fayyaz, a polyglot scholar, Art Critic and Art historian, through exposure to numerous art books.
Encouraged by his father, Ali initially studied fresco and other Rajasthani miniature painting techniques under Padmashri Awardee Kripal Singh Shekhawat in 1964. Subsequently, his father guided him towards specializing in the Kishangarh school of painting, both due to its regional significance and its near-extinction by the early 19th century. Inspired by the poetry of Nagirdas (the pen name of Kishangarh’s eighth king, Saman Singh), Ali meticulously recreated the poetic imagery in his exquisite Radha-Krishna paintings.
Ali discovered his artistic niche in the Pichwai and Kishangarh painting styles, which effectively conveyed his profound devotion to Shri Krishna in diverse forms—as a devoted lover and as the serene leader Shrinathji. Shehzaad Ali has dedicated his life to preserving the traditional Indian art forms of Pichwai and Kishangarh. His current work successfully integrates contemporary demands, ensuring the continued relevance of these art forms in today’s fast-paced world.
Exhibition Dates and Timing: 12th to 21st of January, 11 AM to 7 PM
Workshop Dates and Timing: 17th, 18th and 19th of January, 3 PM to 5 PM
Location: Shridharani Gallery, Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi
