Artist

The devotional works created by Piyush Sharma of Nathdwara are dedicated to Shrinathji, a youthful swarup of Lord Krishna. Born in 1974, Piyush represents the 14th generation of Pichhwai artists dedicated to the traditional art form, for over 350 years. His family was amongst the four families of Pichhwai artists who moved from Mathura (Vraj) to Nathdwara, with Shrinathji.

Great grandson of legendary artist Gopilal Sharma, Piyush’s learning of the art form began from a young age under the tutelage of his grandfather Amrit Lal Sharma and his father Kanhaiya Lal Sharma.

Piyush’s connection to Pichhwai began at a very young age, born into a family steeped in this rich tradition. His upbringing was a blend of devotion to Shrinathji and an early introduction to the techniques of Pichhwai painting. His family's dedication to preserving the art form was not just about creating beautiful works but also about continuing a spiritual practice that has been passed down through generations. Piyush, inheriting this legacy, has not only upheld these traditions but has also added his own creative interpretations to the art, ensuring that it resonates with contemporary audiences.

For Piyush, Pichhwai is much more than just an art form; it is an expression of the deepest kind of devotion. Each stroke of his brush, every color he uses, and each detail he painstakingly adds to his work is a testament to his reverence for Shrinathji and a living tribute to his forefathers who taught him the art from. His paintings are imbued with deep spiritual ethos reflecting the very essence of Nathdwara's devotion.

In every work he creates, Piyush remains true to the traditional methods and materials used by his ancestors, maintaining a continuity that is both artistic and spiritual. This is evident in his process of preparation of the cloth, to the colors he uses, to the gold and silver inks he prepares from gold and silver leaves, and finally the centuries old technique of flattening the painting after it is completed, to provide it strength as well as a delicate luminosity.

Piyush continues to produce traditional Pichhwai paintings, adhering strictly to time-honoured techniques and iconography. At the same time, he has also explored ways to adapt Pichhwai to modern tastes, creating works that appeal to a broader audience without compromising the integrity of the tradition. This ability to innovate within the boundaries of tradition has enabled Piyush to keep Pichhwai a vibrant, living tradition in the 21st century that continues to enrich the cultural landscape of India and beyond.

Piyush Sharma