Shatrunjay Tirth
Details
Artform
Traditional Pichwai Art, Rajasthan
Artist
Dinesh Soni
Dimensions
40 x 60 In.
Medium
Natural Colors on Cotton Cloth
Framing
Unframed
Learn More
The Painting
The artwork made by Dinesh Soni depicts an aerial view of the Shatrunjay Tirth, an ancient Jain pilgrimage complex where devotees reach the site by climbing 3750 stone steps at the start of the day of Poornima (Full moon) of Kartik month (October-November). Such compositions are therefore generally referred to as Shatrunjay Pata. The key purpose of these paintings is to provide a panoramic view of the key shrines, the pilgrimage route, and details of significant features and episodes along the devotees' path. They thus often served as surrogates for those – often aged or infirm devotees - who were unable to visit the sites. The artist depicts the topographic context of Shatrunjay Hill with its two ridges. The first ridge is dominated by the main temple complex of Adinath whilst the other is the setting for nine smaller temple complexes patronized by Jain merchants with numerous gates, winding alleys, and gleaming white walls. The remainder of the canvas is filled in with devotees and monks snaking up the hill, smaller shrines enclosed in square grids, the flora and fauna of the region, and the Shatrunji River. The Pichwai is meant to evoke the bhava of the Tirth for those who couldn’t make it to the pilgrimage. Dinesh Soni has used natural stone colors to paint this intricate and elaborate scene on cotton cloth.
The Artform
Pichwai Art originated during the 17th century in the Nathdwara temple of Rajasthan, situated in the town within the Udaipur district. The art form is dedicated to adorning the shrine of Lord Shrinath at Nathdwara. The term "Pichwai" finds its roots in the Sanskrit words "pich" (meaning "behind") and "wai" (meaning "hanging"). It refers to the intricately designed cloth that serves as the backdrop for the revered idol of Shrinathji within the shrine. With a tradition spanning over four centuries, Pichwai art predominantly revolves around portraying the enchanting tales of Shrinathji, the divine child incarnation of Lord Krishna, and his diverse manifestations. The artistic representations vividly capture Shrinathji's iconography, often intertwined with other significant figures like Radha, Gopis, cows, lotuses, and peacocks. Through meticulous craftsmanship, this art form aims to convey a comprehensive portrayal of the divine image of Shrinathji, evoking a sense of holistic reverence.
The Artist
Born in 1972, Dinesh Soni is a third-generation national award-winning artist hailing from Bhilwara, Rajasthan, with expertise in Pichwai and miniature tradition. He has a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from MDS University, Ajmer, and is currently operating from his studio in Bhilwara. Hailing from a lineage deeply ingrained in Pichwai artistry, Dinesh Soni imbibed the Pichwai tradition from his grandfather, the illustrious Badrilal Chitrakar, and his father, Prabhulal. With over three decades of experience in both practicing and imparting the art of Pichwai, Dinesh Soni has honed his skills to a level of mastery and has been honored with the National Award in 2019. He has cultivated an intricate understanding of the Pichwai tradition through intensive research and hands-on involvement. As a dedicated full-time Pichwai artist in Bhilwara, he strives to uphold the authenticity of this ancient Indian art form and extend its knowledge to the upcoming generation of artists.
Provenance
The painting has been created by Bridge Bharat’s master artist partners.
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Other details
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