Originating in the North Indian state of Rajasthan, Phad painting is one of the most revered painting styles of the country. This unique art form is notable for its bright shades, elaborate details, and outstanding narrative style. Generally drawn on long scrolls or canvas, Phad paintings are characterised by the portrayals of epic tales, especially those connected to local divinities and heroes. It is a popular Rajasthani traditional painting style illustrating spiritual and mythological stories, usually focussing on the heroic deeds of folk deities.
The Rajasthani handicrafts possess an unparalleled appeal in all aspects of beauty, versatility, and creative technique. This royal state maintains a distinguished position in the export of traditional Indian arts and crafts products. Rajasthani folk arts have gained fame and admiration on the global stage. Amongst these skillful crafts, the Phad art of Rajasthan is unique for its vigorous colors and outstanding storytelling method. So, in this article, we will delve into the captivating realm of Phad paintings, their origins, historical value, and how they play a key role in preserving Rajasthan’s rich cultural heritage.
Origin & History of Phad Painting:
Spanning over more than 700 years, the Phad art of Rajasthan has a fascinating history. The practice of popular art has been defined within only one family for centuries. The blessed family is the Joshi family of Shahpura in the Bhilwara region of Rajasthan. They are the traditional painters and sustainers of this impressive Rajasthani folk art.
The Bhopa society used the Phad art for the first time to describe the stories of the deities to the audience. They were a group of traveling singers who displayed the Phad painting along with their songs to elaborate the folk tales intriguingly.
Originally, Phad paintings were created as portable scrolls of textile fabric named “Phads.” These scrolls were used to complement the recitation of “Phadkavitas,” by the Bhopas as they spread them to invigorate the portrayals.
In the 10th century A.D., Chochu Bhat, a holy disciple of Lord Devnarayana and the admirable keeper of the clan’s history commissioned the first Phad scrolls.
Themes & Storytelling in Phad Paintings:
The Rajasthani Phad Paintings are famous for their description of spiritual and mythological portrayals. These traditional paintings highlight the vigors and courageous acts of folk Gods such as Pabuji, Devnarayan, and Ramdevji. Generally, a central character or deity is accompanied by a group of other deities. Each of them symbolizes specific moments from their respective lives, as illustrated on every phad art.
In these narrative paintings, the tales are ingrained with great symbolic art and are complemented by text in the form of poems. These folk poems are known as “Phad Kavitas.” The use of the Rajasthani vernacular language in these rhythmic compositions adds an extra layer of narrative exquisiteness to the paintings.
Cultural Significance of Phad Painting:
Phad paintings bear immense cultural essence. Apart from providing an artistic presentation, these paintings are also an integral part of preserving and presenting the region’s oral storytelling and folklore. The Bhopas, who are travelling singers, use these paintings as visual support to describe mythological tales engagingly.
Phad art maintains a vigorous cultural and spiritual vibe. Additionally, these paintings are skillfully knotted with lyrical and musical presentations. The Phad paintings of Rajasthan have tremendous significance in local congregations, celebrations, and religious festivals. These paintings also present the new generations with a deep insight into their identity by connecting them to their ancestors and cultural heritage.
Tools & Techniques Used in Phad Paintings:
The creation of Phad paintings includes a distinct procedure. The artists started the process by making a substantial piece of cotton or silk cloth. This cloth is typically known as a Phad. Then, a mixture of ground tamarind seeds and Arabic gum is applied to the cloth to harden it. Once the cloth is ready, artists prepare the colours using natural ingredients like various minerals, plants, and vegetables. These natural colours give the paintings their distinct earthy tones.
The Rajasthani Phad artists make brushes using goat hair. These light brushes help intricately draw portrayals on the scrolls. First, they outline the primary figures and then sketch details and surroundings. The traditional Rajasthani Phad paintings often display bold outlines and two-dimensional shapes similar to the replica paintings from medieval Rajasthan.
Traditional tools and techniques used in Phad painting include:
Cloth or Canvas: Generally, Phad artists make paintings on a long cloth after hardening it with a mixture of tamarind seed powder and Arabic gum. Some artists also make paintings on canvas.
Natural Hues: Traditional Phad artists use natural colors for painting the portrayals. For instance, vermilion provides red, turmeric gives yellow, green they use leaves, and lamp soot works as black. They grind the ingredients first and then mix them with adhesive or gum.
Brushes: The Rajasthani Phad artists make fine brushes with pointed tips using animal hair. These light brushes help intricately draw portrayals on the scrolls.
Ganeshi (Conch Shell Palette): Phad artists mix the color on a palette made from conch shells, which they call Ganeshi. The palette has multiple sections for mixing different colors.
Buffalo Hair Pens: Artists use these pens to draw fine outlines and better details of the painting.
Wooden Sticks: The wooden sticks are useful for filling a large area with colour.
Gum or Binding Elements: Gum or other adhesives work as binding agents when mixed with colours and help stick to the canvas.
Hardening the Cloth – Pad artists make the paintings on a long cloth after hardening it with a mixture of tamarind seed powder and Arabic gum. In some cases, the cloth is dyed based on the theme of the painting.
Khadia or Primer: A mixture of zinc oxide and adhesive, also called Khadia, is applied to the canvas to smoothen it before painting.
Conclusion:
Phad painting is a 700-year-old style of Rajasthani storytelling artwork created on long cloth scrolls and is a significant part of the state’s religious traditions. It is an intricate art form that demands a profound knowledge of traditional methods and materials.
