Phads and Pichwais are two most important folk art (paintings) form of Rajasthan

Pichwais - mean at the back and these paintings are hung in the temples at the back side of the figure or the deity.

The themes revolve around the Lord Sri Krishna in the form of Srinathji.

Shrinathji specifically refers to the narrative in the Bhagavata Purana wherein Krishna lifts Govardhan hill to protect the inhabitants of Vrindavan from a downpour of rain sent by Indra, the King of Devas. The word "Krishna" means black, dark or blue, hence why his skin is often depicted in these colors. In the image, the lord is revealed with his left hand raised and the right hand made into a fist resting at the waist, with a large diamond placed beneath the lips.

Sri Nathji Located in Shri Nathadwara in Rajasthan (India) is an absolutely beautiful black marble Deity of Lord Krishna, standing with His hand upraised lifting Govardhana Hill. 48 km from Udaipur, Set amidst idyllic hills, it is said to be the second richest temple in the world. The royalty of Udaipur pray at the temple and as the head of his clan, the Maharana is also called as Shriji among his people. As the legend goes, Goswami Dev fled from Mathura to escape from Aurangzeb and carried this particular idol in a chariot with an intention to take it to Udaipur. However, his chariot got stuck in Sinhad and finally, he took it as a token of the divine will and decided to consecrated it on the spot.This place is now known as Nathdwara. Glimpses of the idol situated in the inner sanctum of the temple are permitted only for short intervals eight times

Temple servants wear the clothes and costumes of the bygone era of kings and queens and serve the deity as the beloved prince and darling of Nandaraj and Yashoda maiya, the adoptive parents of Lord Krishna. At regular intervals, there is a live performance of classical music in its many fragrant marble halls and courtyards, to entertain Him. There are 'pankhwalas' who still pull on the large fans manually to cool the interiors. There are drums and trumpets to announce the 'Royal Darshan' in the noon just as the announcements that the kings entering their courts were once made. There are paintings of elephants, horses, beautiful maidens and doorkeepers on all the doorways. It is said that famous pichwai paintings originated from the custom of painted curtain cloths behind the idol.

"A Pichhavai of the Vraj Parikrama Jatra. India, Rajasthan, 19th Century. The central orange panel illustrating Krishna as Shrinathji with upraised arm surrounded by a snaking river and villages relating scenes from Krishna's childhood. 65 x 47 in. (168 x 120 cm.). This unusual pichhavai is in actuality a topographical depiction of Vrindavan and its surrounding villages on the banks of the Yamuna River. The Jatra is a pilgrimage route that courses through the region encompassing chaurasi 168 miles. It is undertaken in a clockwise manner that passes through 12 vanas (forests), 24 upvanas (groves), and Mount Govardhana in a practice that is still observed by pilgrims today."

Theme 1 - Srinathji in different costumes

Theme 1 - Srinathji in different costumes

Various episodes of Srinathji

Theme 2 - Various episodes in Srinathji s life

Theme 3 - the Nathdwara temple festivities are portrayed in the Pichwais.

Pichwais are done in dark rich hues on rough hand spun cloth. These paintings have deep religious roots and are executed with the utmost devotion. Presently Pichwais are painted and are famous in Udaipur and Nathdwara especially so due to the celebrated Srinathji temple in the city. . The pichwai of Nathdwara School, is an embroidered cloth-hanging used as a decoration in temples and temple-chariots. The temple of Srinathji has made this cloth-hanging very sacred, as an offering at the temple.

The Pichwais are generally painted but some are block printed and embroidered in the appliqu style. Pichwais are generally artisans' renderings to the Lord but they are also sometimes undertaken for commercial purpose.

The theme of the pichwais varies according to the season and its moods. Each pichwai denotes the seva (worship) of Srinath ji in a different season. The summer pichwai has pink lotuses as the backdrop while the winter pichwai has an intricate jamawar (silk fabric robes) pattern, providing the warmth needed for the season. The central image of pichwai that portrays the Anukooth(main Krishna in silver robes), the day after Deepavali(festival of lights) when Shrinathji lifted the Govardhan hill, has the deity exquisitely decorated in a silver poshak