Pichwai Handmade Wall Plate by Master Artsian Kiran Kumar Soni
SIZE: 11 inch (diameter)MEDIUM: Natural Colours on Handmade plate
MAKING OF THE PLATE: The base plate is a cotton canvas pasted onto a moulded plate using tamarind paste. A mixture of chalk powder and multani mitti is applied, dried, and smoothened with stone for a polished canvas. To prevent insect damage we use crushed neem leaves. With multiple layers of coating, drying, and finishing, the complete plate-making process spans three full days.
NATURAL COLOURS: Ramraj (Yellow), derived from Pili Mitti, radiates a divine warmth, while Neel (Blue), extracted from indigo, reflects the vastness of the sky. The twinkling stars, formed from white limestone powder, shine subtly, and the deep Hara Bhata (Green) emerges from finely ground stone, adding a touch of nature’s vibrancy. Each pigment is carefully refined, layered with precision, and enriched with delicate gold accents that catch the light, lending a timeless glow to the artwork. The creation of these colors is an intricate processsourcing raw materials, purifying, crushing, blending with water, and binding with natural adhesives, all done with meticulous care to preserve the purity and brilliance of the art.
Wish Beneath the Kalpavriksha
Long ago, in the sacred land of Vrindavan, stood the Kalpavriksha, a divine golden tree believed to grant the deepest desires of those with a pure heart. Beneath its radiant canopy, two celestial cows, Surabhi and Nandini, roamed gracefully, their presence imbued with devotion and magic. As companions of Lord Krishna, they were the silent keepers of its blessings.
Under the starlit sky, their bells rang like sacred hymns, their gentle whispers carrying prayers into the night. The Kalpavriksha, with its shimmering leaves, absorbed their devotion, transforming it into boundless grace. It is said that as long as the cows remained, the tree’s magic thrived. Even today, in the art of Pichwai, the golden tree and the sacred cows are cherished motifs, symbolizing divine abundance and spiritual fulfillment.
