Pratham Milan in Pichwai with Sh. Bhawani Shankar Sharma

Pratham Milan in Pichwai with Sh. Bhawani Shankar SharmaJoin The FOLK Workshop for authentic and intensive learning of Indian folk arts with master artists and personal guidance. Duration: 24+ hours across 3 months, all Mondays and Thursdays *Note: Materials if required to be ordered separately, not included in the workshop fee* THEME: "Pratham Milan" (First Union Meeting) refers to the sacred, divine encounter between Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya and Lord Shrinathji (the child form of Krishna) on Mount

Join The FOLK Workshop for authentic and intensive learning of Indian folk arts with master artists and personal guidance.

Duration: 24+ hours across 3 months, all Mondays and Thursdays
*Note: Materials if required to be ordered separately, not included in the workshop fee*

THEME:
"Pratham Milan" (First Union/Meeting) refers to the sacred, divine encounter between Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya and Lord Shrinathji (the child form of Krishna) on Mount Govardhan, a foundational event in the Pushti-Marg sect of Hinduism. It is celebrated as a profound moment of spiritual revelation.

It is a pivotal moment in the Pushti-Marg sect, representing the revelation of the deity to the devotee.

This “Milan” has a deep spiritual significance because people who follow Pushti Marg believe that Vallabhacharya too is an incarnation of Krishna. With this concept, “Pratham Milan” is considered a confluence of divine energy. It is also said that Vallabhacharya was born in Champaran on the same day that the Vrajvasis unearthed the face of Shrinathji on the hill of Goverdhan.

We recreate a Pichwai from 1850 from Nathdwara origin. We will be teaching freehand drawings of all elements yet also provide a draft of the painting to everyone so we can focus on painting and detailing.

We also explain about the characters in the painting with their roles and significance.

The painting can be created in 2 x 3 ft or 18 x 24 inches.

On the way, we also learn:

- Preparation of canvas
- Natural colors preparation and usage
- Step by step drawing, painting and detailing process
- About Pushtimarg, cult and history of Srinathji 

*Process of Pichwai painting in authentic style of Nathdwara school will be followed
**Recordings complimentary and would be uploaded post each session. Joining LIVE sessions is beneficial for better understanding and doubt clearing, please attend as many possible.

About the artform:
Pichwai comes from 'peeche' or 'behind', so quite literally these were the paintings to be hung behind the deity. The style started in the town of Sri Nathdwara ,where the main temple of Srinathji is situated.

The subjects of Pichwai are centered around the activities of Srinathji Bava and display him in his various shringaars, as per the season and festivals. The bhava and devotion to the deity remains primary in its translation.

The art style travelled to various other schools across Rajasthan with their own characteristics and nuances. However, we will study the Nathdwara school of art, from where the culture actually began.

About the artist:
Shri Bhawani Shankar Sharma is a senior generational Pichwai artist. He has learnt from his father and grandfather. A native of Nathdwara in Rajasthan, now living in Udaipur, he is proficient in multiple styles of Pichwai and miniature paintings. He has 4 decades of experience that he shares generously to promote the artform amongst the next generations of artists.