Select a highlighted point on the painting to encounter insights from our contributing experts about that part of the painting.
The shapes indicate who the insight came from.
 | Conservation and Scientific Research Team |
|---|---|
 | Hindu Community Members Advisors |
 | Curatorial Team |
More object information
All of Krishna’s actions are considered lila (joyful divine play). The most meaningful and magical lila occurred on the night of the autumn full moon (Sharad Purnima) in Braj. That evening, Krishna multiplied himself for each gopi and joined them in the great circle dance known as the raas lila. This rare composition represents not only the raas lila but also the events that occurred before and after.
Krishna devotees imagine and feel the emotions of raas lila. This experience helps them recognize Krishna in all things and beings. Because of this, raas lila is the subject of many pichwai paintings.
Select a highlighted point on the painting to encounter insights from our contributing experts about that part of the painting.
The shapes indicate who the insight came from.
| Conservation and Scientific Research Team |
|---|---|
| Hindu Community Members Advisors |
| Curatorial Team |
A region in north India near the Yamuna River in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Mount Govardhan and the city of Mathura are located in Braj.
A teardrop-shaped design motif (often called paisley in the West).
A village milkmaid. The gopis, who felt deep affection for Krishna during his lifetime on earth, personify devotion to the god.
A low mountain located outside the north Indian city of Mathura that is associated with the child Krishna, who miraculously lifted it to shelter his devotees from a torrential rain.
The Mughal Empire controlled much of India between 1526 and 1857. Elements of its highly refined court culture were adopted across India.
A large painted or woven cloth that is an integral part of Pushtimarg devotion to Krishna.
The "Path of Grace" is a Hindu devotional tradition founded in the fifteenth century. It centers on the deity Krishna as a seven-year-old child.
A classical Indian musical mode associated with the monsoon season.
The divine circle dance in which Krishna multiplied himself for each gopi.
In the Pushtimarg community, devotees who care for and serve Krishna.
A festival on the night of the full moon (purnima) in the month of Sharad (September–October).
The central deity of the Hindu Pushtimarg tradition is a form of the god Krishna. Shri Nathji’s name refers to his status as the Lord of Mount Govardhan.
The Yamuna River begins in the Himalayas and flows south past New Delhi before merging with the Ganges. Hindus consider the Yamuna sacred.
Since patches used on the back of pichwai are not usually visible, you can sometimes find a mosaic of color and themes in the pieces cut from old pichwai that were used to repair holes. This pichwai sports sections of image and color from old pichwai as well as patches of other materials. Using a material that matches the weight and flexibility of the original pichwai works best.
This pichwai has experienced multiple campaigns of repair. Different materials used for patches include pieces of old pichwai that were added by Nathdwara artists, Shape-Flex fusible interfacing, and other stiffer, iron-on patches. During recent treatment, we removed stiff or heavy patches and supported damaged areas with Stabiltex (a lightweight, open-weave polyester fabric and a flexible reversible adhesive).
The heavy lining that was sewn to this pichwai strained the fine weave when hanging and caused heavy creases when rolled for storage. Creases cause paint and media loss as well. We removed the lining, stabilized the fabric, and attached a lightweight fabric with flexible, reversible adhesive at the top edge for hanging. When on display, the pichwai is stable enough to support its own weight with some extra help from exhibit fabric mounted on the panel behind it.
The bottoms of pichwais are often more damaged than other regions because they are usually more exposed when the pichwais are rolled for storage. Pichwais were changed frequently—even daily—so they spent more time in storage than on display. This led to the large number of patches at the bottom of this pichwai.
