Phad
painting in India is an outstanding specimen of cloth painting. This form of
painting originated in Rajasthan. Talking simply about Phad painting, it can be
explained as huge painting on cloth, venerating heroic deeds of a brave man.
Phadakye is the smaller edition of Phad. Phad paintings are renowned as the
most celebrated folk paintings in sphere of art and culture. They have a
chronicling character and unparalleled appeal. More about this exotic art form
is painted in the account that follows.
About
Phad Paintings
Phad
painting, owing its origin to 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. This mix gives more weather durability to
the paintings as compared to that of vegetable colors.
The
colors boost up the illustrative depictions of historic episodes. 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.
Artists
of Phad Painting
Joshi
families of Bhilwara district of Rajasthan are extensively famous as the customary
artists of this folk art-form and are enjoying this repute since last two
centuries. At the moment, Nand Kishor Joshi, Shanti Lal Joshi, Prakash
Joshi,and Shree Lal Joshi are the most distinguished artists of the Phad
painting in India. Their novelty and ingenuity have brought them laurels.
Phad
painting in India was discovered by intellectuals of Rajasthan in the early
part of 1960s. Even after so many year have been passed, this striking folk art
has managed to hold a persistent charm among the art connoisseurs and is
constantly enjoying popularity.
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