Presented by Pooja Singhal, Founder of Pichvai Tradition & Beyond, ‘Feast, Melody and Adornment’ celebrates the 400-year-old Indian Pichvai tradition. The exhibition will be on view from July 2 to July 6, 2025, at Mall Galleries, London.
This is the first major exhibition in London, offering visitors the rare opportunity to experience over 500 hand-painted Pichvai works spanning the last century.
For art revivalist and entrepreneur Pooja Singhal, the intricate world of Pichvai art provides the perfect medium to explore themes of spiritual devotion, cultural preservation, and artistic innovation. Through her dedicated work with traditional techniques, particularly the ancient hand-painting methods passed down through generations, Singhal presents a comprehensive look at both the historical significance and contemporary evolution of this remarkable art form.
The Feast, Melody and Adornment exhibition reconstructs the historical and spiritual narratives of Pichvai tradition, mapping them onto larger concerns of cultural identity and artistic preservation in a globalized world. Through exquisite textile craftsmanship spanning 800 feet of exhibition space, the showcase builds a comprehensive visual vocabulary that both honors and revitalizes this sacred ritual art.
About Pichvai Art Tradition
Pichvai are intricate devotional textile paintings created for Hindu temples, traditionally hung behind the idol of Shrinathji, a cherubic incarnation of the Indian deity Lord Krishna. These artworks originate from the temple town of Nathdwara, Rajasthan, and have served both ritualistic and commercial purposes for four centuries. Large paintings were displayed within temples as part of seasonal adornments, while smaller versions were sold to pilgrims as sacred mementoes.
The art form focuses on creating visually striking devotional narratives that capture the spiritual essence of temple worship. Artists are particularly drawn to the rich symbolism and intricate details that characterize classical Pichvai motifs—lotuses, sacred cows, and temple festivals. Over the past century, industrialization threatened the survival of this painstaking craft, putting traditional techniques at risk of being lost. The exhibition reflects upon how cultural preservation efforts can maintain artistic authenticity while adapting to contemporary contexts.
About Pichvai Tradition & Beyond
Founded by art revivalist Pooja Singhal in 2015, Pichvai Tradition & Beyond is dedicated to preserving and revitalizing the intricate art of Pichvai painting. Based in Udaipur, the atelier works with master artists to restore traditional techniques, preserve intergenerational knowledge, and reimagine Pichvai for modern audiences. Through Singhal’s efforts, this sacred art form, once confined to temple rituals, has found new relevance in contemporary collections and global cultural discourse.
Exhibition Details
Title: Feast, Melody and Adornment
Presenter: Pichvai Tradition & Beyond
Exhibition Dates: July 2 – July 6, 2025
Venue: Mall Galleries, London
Admission: Free entry
Image Courtesy: Pichvai Tradition & Beyond
Athmaja Biju is the Editor at Abir Pothi. She is a Translator and Writer working on Visual Culture.
