Why Are The Shrinathji Pichwai Paintings Famous? How The Myth Of The Painting Came To Be

The Shrinathji Pichwai paintings, or the “The Lord of the Dance” paintings, are one of the most influential paintings in Indian history. The painting tells a story about a dance competition among five gods and their two wives. This is a myth that dates back to the 6th century in Northern India. The painting was commissioned by a king to commemorate his daughter who was married to five different men in succession. 

However, it wasn’t until the 19th century when an Englishman named Sir John Woodroffe. wrote stories about these tales that were given fame as folktales. Today, these beautiful paintings are still captivating audiences all over India. Around the world, even though many historians believe them to be fake. Here is why this myth became so popular, and what makes these paintings so important for Indian culture today.

The Legend of the Painting

The legend of the painting stretches back to the 6th century when a king commissioned these paintings as a reminder of his daughter who was married to five different men in succession.  

The story tells how she married five god-like men, which were Vishnu, Shiva, Krishna, Balarama, and Buddha. They were married by her father in order to commemorate her divine marriage. From there, she had four children with each of these men. 

However, one night while she was singing praises for her husband Krishna and the sun god Surya; she found herself in a trance and saw Krishna dance before her. She then told the story to her father the next day and he commissioned these paintings from an artist named Haradatta.

How did the painting come to be?

The paintings were commissioned by a king in Northern India to commemorate his daughter, who was married to five different men in succession. The painting is associated with the celebration of the marriage of Princess Padmavati and Raja Ratnavali, a marriage that took place in the 6th century. This painting celebrates the joys of marriage and serves as an encouragement and inspiration for future young women who may want to tie the knot and marry someone they love.

What makes these paintings so important?

The Shrinathji Pichwai paintings are popular because they tell the story of the Indian gods and their wives. These paintings show how India’s ancestors remembered the Gods, which is important to many Indians today. Additionally, these paintings are said to have been commissioned by King Bhagirath who wanted to commemorate his daughter. These myths were later told in English as folktales, and then in the 19th century, Sir John Woodroffe wrote stories about them and made them famous in England.

Why do Indians love these paintings?

This painting has been a favorite in India for hundreds of years because it tells the story of the five gods, who are Shiva, Vishnu, Ganesha, Surya, and Chandra. It also celebrates the importance and cultural significance of weddings. These paintings have become so important that many Indian families still want their daughters to marry these gods. This is why these paintings are so popular among certain populations in India. However they may be false or not real, they are historically significant to Indian culture and society today.

Who is Sir John Woodroffe?

Englishman Sir John Woodroffe was a writer, translator, and teacher. In 1892, he published one of the first English translations of the Bhagavad Gita. Which is considered one of the most influential works on Hinduism. He also translated many Hindu scriptures and myths into English.

Where can you buy these paintings?

While these paintings are popular and widely sought-after, there is no Shreenathji painting for sale. You can only see them in museums and art galleries but you can’t buy online Shrinathji paintings.

The Shrinathji Pichwai paintings depict the story of a dance competition among five gods: Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Parvati, and Goddess Laxmi. These stories date back to the 6th century in Northern India. The paintings were commissioned by a king to commemorate his daughter who was married to five different men in succession. However, it wasn’t until the 19th century when an Englishman named Sir John Woodroffe wrote stories about these tales that they became famous as folktales. Today, these beautiful paintings are still captivating audiences all over India and around the world, even though many historians believe them to be fake.

Conclusion

The paintings of Shrinathji are significant in Indian cultural and religious history. It is a myth that the painting is a true depiction of the god Krishna. And that he is the only god known to have incarnated on earth. The paintings are a reflection of the spiritual significance and the cultural significance of Krishna.