PHAD PAINTING

RAJASTHAN

 Phad painting originated 700 years a go in Shahpura, a state in Rajasthan. This form of art includes painted stories on large pieces of cloth called Phad. This cloth was unfolded only after sunset accompanied by a night long performance . Bhopa is the person who narrates the phad with his wife, bhopi. The bhopa is the owner of the phad and travels many villages narrating the tales depicted on the Phad. The stories are narrated using a lamp held by the bhopi as they are usually performed at night.

ORIGIN

MAIN FEATURES
In Phad paintings the figures are round and have big eyes whereas nose is small and thick. The figures in the paintings face each other rather than the audience.

PIGMENTS TRADITIONALLY USED

Used only natural stone and vegetable colours. Colours used: yellow- yellowish-orange mineral Green- when copper/bronze is weathered by moisture: used to paint villains Black- from burning coconut shells: for outlining Orange- yellow + red lead oxide Red- by pulverizing cinnabar (HgS)

THEMES
Phad paintings portraits stories of great local kings, their life and activities. Also sometimes based on epics from Rajasthan. Showing respect to their kings in the form of art.