Pichhwai is devotional pictures found on cloth or paper which portray Lord Krishna. They originated in the Deccan, India, and the villages of Aurangabad and Nathdwara in Rajasthan state. The purpose of Pichhwais, other than an artistic appeal, is to narrate tales of Krishna to the illiterate.
The word Pichhwai stands for hanging at the back (Sanskrit word "Pichh" means back and "wais" means hanging). Pichhwai paintings are big sized paintings done on cotton cloth using natural colours and are hung behind the idol of Lord Shrinath Ji to depict his leelas.
Pichhwai has become the main export of Nathdwara and is in much demand among foreign visitors. The artists live mostly in Chitron ki Gali (Street of paintings) and Chitrakaron ka mohallah (a colony of painters) and make a close community with constant interaction. Often a Pichhwai painting is a group effort, where several skilful painters work together under the supervision of a master artist. Pichhwai is hung behind Srinathji's idol at Nathdwara temple.
