Shailla'z Diary: Phad Painting

This time I'm inspired by Phad Painting originated from Rajasthan, is created traditionally on a lengthy piece of cloth which is known as Phad. The painting is mostly concentrated to Bhilwara district. It is said that it saw its origin in the first half of 6th decade of the past century. The Phads illustrate the accounts of the local deities of Rajasthan, most especially Devanarayan and Pabuji. Phads are carried by the Bhopas (the priest-singers) and they are used as the transportable shrine of the folk deities. Normally, the phads of Pabuji are about 15 feet long, while the phads of Devnarayan are general approximately 30 feet in length.

Themes of Phad Paintings

Phad paintings focus on Rajasthani heroes like Prithaviraj Chauhan, Tejaji, Goga Chauhan and Amar Singh Rathor. They were the initial characters of the olden Phad paintings. Recently, maximum Phad painting in India depict Narayandevji and Pabuji with their heroism.

The Phads portray an array of life and activities of Papuji Rathod as he backed the cause of the Charan Community. Bards of Rajasthan have given the standing of a godly man to Papuji. These paintings are created with vivid colors in order to illustrate several historic scenes and episodes of Rajasthan. Phad paintings are knitted with the culture of Rajasthan. The scenes painted serve to be the image narrations. Great renderings of gallant and valiant kings with their heroic deeds by the folk ballads accompany them.

Colors and Materials Used in Phad Paintings

To build up Phad paintings natural stone colors are used. The Phads are customarily painted with vegetable colors. But today, a blend of gum, indigo, natural dyes and water is also used. The colors are yellow, black, green, orange, red, and brown. Gorgeous greens and ravishing reds astonish the viewer and turn the scene alive. Fighters’ limbs are painted in orange, ornaments and brilliance are depicted by yellow, ordinary clothes of characters are soaked in red, plants are dipped in green, water bodies are bathed with blue, and the general structure is illustrated by gray. As a base for Phad paintings, a hand-woven aboriginal fabric known as Kadhi is used.

The Phad paintings commence with various rituals. Goddess Saraswati and Lord Ganesha are revered before starting to make a painting. On the Kadhi, background settings and outlines are sketched. A general coating of yellow is then applied and the first stroke of the painting is given by the youngest girl of the family. Now, the painter sets on with his painstaking task of creating a masterpiece. Folk dance and song representations of Pabuji’s life are blended with Phads. This Phad painting in India has bewitched the art aficionados for its uniqueness and cultural legacy all over the planet.

With the inspiration of Phad technique I portray The Krishna Series on handmade paper with acrylic colors.

Have a look:

Daasi offering the duties to Lord Krishna: