The Sacred Aesthetics: Indiyart by Rooftop Brings Phad and Pichwai Art to Delhi

Exhibition Overview

Indiyart by Rooftop presents The Sacred Aesthetics, an exhibition focusing on the traditional art forms of Phad and Pichwai from Rajasthan. Scheduled from March 20 to March 23, 2026, the exhibition will take place at The Main Art Gallery, Bikaner House, New Delhi, and will be open to visitors daily from 11 am to 7 pm. The show brings together works by master artists Prakash Joshi and Mukut Joshi.

Suggested Story: Folk Art Forms of India – Defining Our Cultural Diversity

Focus on Phad and Pichwai Traditions

The exhibition features 15 Phad paintings by Prakash Joshi and 13 Pichwai paintings by Mukut Joshi. Phad painting, traditionally executed as narrative scrolls for priest-performers, represents storytelling and collective cultural memory. In contrast, Pichwai painting is associated with devotional imagery and intricate iconography, often linked to temple traditions and personal spiritual engagement.

Artists and Their Practice

Prakash Joshi, a National Award (President’s Award) recipient (2009), belongs to the well-known Joshi lineage of Phad artists. His works are part of collections such as the National Archives in New Delhi and Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya in Bhopal. Mukut Joshi, recipient of the State Award (2010), continues the Pichwai tradition while incorporating contemporary approaches. Together, the artists represent both continuity and evolution within Rajasthan’s artistic heritage.

Exhibition Highlights

Key aspects of the exhibition include:

• 15 traditional Phad scroll paintings
• 13 detailed Pichwai artworks
• Representation of two distinct yet interconnected traditions
• Exploration of ritual, narrative, and devotional practices

Context and Curatorial Approach

The exhibition positions Phad and Pichwai as complementary traditions—one rooted in performative storytelling and the other in devotional aesthetics. By presenting them together, The Sacred Aesthetics highlights their shared cultural significance while encouraging viewers to engage with them beyond ritual contexts, as both heritage and fine art.

Rooftop and Indiyart Initiative

Rooftop, the organiser behind Indiyart, focuses on connecting audiences with traditional and contemporary art practices. The exhibition follows its 2024 project Viral Gaatha, which explored tribal art through digital mediums such as AI and VR. With The Sacred Aesthetics, Rooftop shifts focus to direct engagement with traditional art forms.

Event at a Glance

The exhibition is open to the public at The Main Art Gallery, Bikaner House, New Delhi. Visitors can attend between 11 am and 7 pm from March 20 to March 23, 2026. Entry details have not been specified.

Takeaway

The Sacred Aesthetics offers an opportunity to experience two enduring art traditions of Rajasthan within a contemporary exhibition setting. By bringing Phad and Pichwai together, the show reflects on the continuity of cultural practices and their evolving relevance in today’s artistic landscape. It provides audiences with both historical insight and a direct encounter with living traditions.