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PHAD

The ancient tradition of scroll painting survives in Rajasthan as Phad. A Phad is a long rectangular cloth painting that tells of the adventures and travails of Pabuji, a local hero or other epic heroes. Usually about six meters by one and a half meters in size, 5feet x 20 feet long. The Phad is painted in bold colors and is rolled on two shafts of bamboo, thus making it easy to carry. Painted by the Joshi's of SHAHPURA 311404, they have been used for centuries as a backdrop by Bhopas or the bards of Rajasthan who go from village to village singing about the exploits of legendary heroes. Scrolls of classical subjects like

Ritual 

With the painting rolled up on two shafts of bamboo, the bhopa travels from village to village with the intent of singing the liturgical epic of the life and death of the hero god. This performance is the principal ritual of the cult of Pabuji (and Devnarayan). There are only two temples actually dedicated to Pabuji, which are located in his native village of Kolu. So rather than the worshipers coming to the temple to honor their deity, the bringing of the par paintings to the villages represents, in a sense, the temple coming to the worshippers.

The epic of Pabuji

Buro was the elder and Pabuji the younger son of Dhadal Rathor. Pabuji wasn't born of Dhadal's wife, but from a celestial nymph who had promised him that she would return to him in the form of a mare when he was 12 years old. He had four companions in his adventures.

The epic of Devnarayan

The epic begins with long accounts of the escapades of the twenty-four Bagravat brothers. Eventually, all the brothers are slain by Raoji's forces; all of the brothers' wives commit sati (self-immolation); all that is, except Sadu, who retires to the mountains to practice penance. By the power of her penance, out of the rocks a lotus bloomed; out of this lotus stepped Devnarayan, an incarnation of Vishnu.

Rawanhatta
Rawanhathha Probably the earliest instrument played with a bow, and this humble instrument could well be the precursor of the violin. It has two main strings and a variable number of supporting strings, with a belly of half coconut shell and a body of bamboo. The bow has ghungroos (bells) attached to it. The music is staccato and accompanied by the syncopated singing of the Bhopa and the Bhopan

LASTLY LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF AS UNDER

I have received  full traning in the phad art under the guidance of my father Shri. Shanti Lal Joshi who enjoys the previlege of National Award Winner. This honour was bestowed upon him by Shri Shankar Dayal Sharma in 1991 Shri. Sharma happened to be the president of India  then. On my Part, I, too, had the previlegde to win applause of many art crities. Despite some heavy odds all the members of my family are creatively busy to keep a-live this valuable art who were highly appreciated and won the esteemed applause of many art crities. For their involment in the art 

Vijay Joshi  (National Merit Awardee 2003), Govt of India

Post Office- Shahpura 311404 (Distt. Bhil.)  Raj.,

9414677750

Visit Us- www.phadpainting.com

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Email- vijaijosi@yahoo.in

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