India’s rich cultural heritage has been a mesmerising journey. In the quest to learn the rich culture, here are a few antiquities like Pichwai’s, fabrics, embroideries accessories, artefact and outfits from different provinces of the country.

Pichwai’s

Pichwai paintings are 400 years old and is considered as one of the major art forms. Pichwai is a Sanskrit word wherein “Pichh” means back and “Wais” means hanging. A Pichwai mainly has devotional pictures found on cloth or paper. It is one of the most spectacular and ancient forms of art with its origin being the land of culture i.e. India. Pichwais are used not only in temples but also as a home décor as it has intrinsic artistic features.

Revisiting the historical era, paintings were the only source to record the golden history, it was at that time when the Pichwai paintings got into existence.

Spiritual art required a lot of precision and detailing and therefore such paintings are rare to find in the present day. Every Pichwai has its own narration. For instance, the below Pichwai is a depiction of Lord Krishna in the form of Shrinathji with a garland of Lotus flowers.

A Pichwai of Shrinathji: Pichwai paintings and Lotus flowers are intertwined with each other. This is because the lotus flower was so loved by Lord Krishna that other than holding one lotus in his right hand and wearing a garland of lotus, even his bed was decorated with lotus flowers.

Wall Hangings: – A wall hanging is generally placed to decorate a plain wall to enhance the interiors. During the olden age, wall hangings had a spiritual denotation especially in the religion of Jainism. These wall hangings were mostly placed in the temple.

A WALL HANGING RELIGIOUS ARTEFACT DEPICTING THE 14 DREAMS OF TRISHALA MATA
Gara Embroidery: – Gara embroidery is a very important name in the history of
the embroideries of India. It is a needlepoint technique with a combination of number of coloured threads. It is mainly popular within the Parsis. This was done by the Chinese embroiders as they learn this technique in Indian in Surat (in Maharashtra) around 1850. By this time the prevalent stitches were used on textile are mainly Chain stitch , running stitch , hanbourne stitch but these embroiders learnt the technique of one of the most difficult stitch which known as “ Crewel Stitch”.

A Parsi Embroidered Gara Saree

Zardosi Embroidery on velvet cloth: – The word itself reflects its royal aura. Zar means gold and dosi means embroidery. The metal embroidery came into existence since the Rig Veda period. The embroidery is carried on a wooden framework. Preferred by most royals, the magnificence of the work looks even more enhanced on a velvet cloth. During that period, the threads were rolled upon by pure silver and gold wires to give it the regal look.

Brocade Fabrics: – Brocade means an embossed cloth. Mainly placed on silk it is a decorative shuttle- woven fabric. It was one of the few luxury fabrics of the bygone era. The Kings often wore it on special occasions.

AN ANGRAKHA COSTUME IN BROCADE

Artefacts: – Artefacts play an important role in the culture of India including wall hanging, hookah base, belts etc. These accessories and artefacts were commissioned specially for the royals of those times. Lucky are we to possess them now.