The Changing Canvas of Phad: From Folklore to Modern Narratives

In November 2024, we went on a craft study trip with students from Indian Institute of Crafts & Design, exploring traditional arts & crafts of Rajasthan. A highlight was meeting National Awardee Master Artist Mr Kalyan Joshi in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, where we learned about Phad Painting. Hearing Mr Kalyan Joshi share his journey; starting to practice this art at just eight years old alongside his father, Shri Lal Joshi; was truly inspiring.

Introduction- India boasts many beautiful art forms, one of which is Phad painting, a 700-year-old tradition practised by the Joshi community. These vibrant paintings depict mythological stories from Rajasthan, especially of local deities like Pabu Ji and Devnaryan Ji. The Joshi community creates the art, while the Bhopa community, composed of priests, narrates the stories using an instrument called Raavan Hatta. As they guide the audience through the scrolls; starting from one corner of the painting and gracefully moving through each depicted window. Phad art combines visual storytelling with rich cultural heritage, connecting us to Rajasthan’s legacy.

Design- The artist starts by preparing the cotton cloth with natural gum, then uses a white stone called Onex to smooth the fabric with a heavy wooden and stone combined tool. This process, known as Kutai, involves this stone on a wooden handle that glides over the fabric multiple times to achieve a perfect finish.

Traditionally, a Phad is usually about 36 feet long, and its creation reflects the artist's dedication. They use sable hair brushes and natural mineral colours to bring their work to life. The artist blends gum and water to create a smooth, granule-free colour paste, following traditional methods. While in modern times, artists now use synthetic colours, the core of Phad painting still mixes history with modern creativity.

Phad paintings beautifully showcase profile portrait views, which reveal deeper insights. The artistic journey starts with the first brush stroke of the girl from the family, representing creativity and tradition. After painting the deity's eyes, the artists pause, honouring the sacred moment of completion of the painting. The main feature, the deity, is larger in the centre, capturing our attention, while other important figures are depicted smaller to highlight their roles. A thick red floral border surrounds the painting, containing the story and inviting viewers into its rich narrative. This structure communicates the essence of the tale.

The paintings show a bright range of wildlife, featuring camels, elephants, horses, cows, deer, snakes, peacocks, birds, and tigers. The men and women are adorned in traditional Rajasthani attire, with men wearing Angrakha, Dhoti, Turbans, and traditional Moojri. Women wear Choli, Ghagra, and Odhni, along with beautiful jewellery like Kadas, Bangles, and Tikas. The Phad art combines storytelling and visual appeal, bringing to life the rich culture of folk tales through its vivid designs.

Present Day- In the present day, Phad paintings are becoming less accessible and more expensive, prompting artists to resize their works to attract buyers. These days interest in traditional Phad performances is declining, so leading performers, called Bhopas, to looking for other jobs. Meanwhile, artists need to find ways to earn a living while keeping this art form alive for future generations. To adapt, they are creating art in different sizes and styles. Today, artists are also illustrating various mythological stories, like the Ramayana, with a modern twist on the Phad style. This change shows a significant gap that has developed in recent times. Phad paintings carry deep sacred significance but struggle to enter mainstream markets, often remaining valued by art curators. We must consider how to preserve this unique art form, which combines oral storytelling with vivid imagery. Sadly, many artists have turned to other styles, leaving their work feeling incomplete without the storytelling element.

Conclusion- Designers from different fields like craft communication, film, and animation can help younger audiences learn about traditional art. One of the Post-Graduation students from Indian Institute of Crafts & Design in the Craft Communication stream Ms Viedhi Sharma, created a children's accordion storybook for her classroom project. She drew inspiration from the Phad painting style to communicate with kids about this art form. Probably, exploring traditional art in contemporary ways helps us preserve an important part of our heritage for future generations.