The Pithora paintings are thousands of years old and find their roots in the cave paintings. This is the most predominant and characteristic art tradition of the Rathwa community, who live in the region bordering Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh states in India. The Pithora paintings hold a deep social relevance and are considered very sacred. They are more of a ritual performed either to thank God or for a wish or a boon to be granted than an art form.
The Pithora paintings are a real depiction of the world of the Rathwa community. They are characterized by the seven horses representing the seven hills that surround the area where the Rathwas reside. This is enclosed within a rectangular fence in the painting that defines this geographical area.
Pithora painting has various connotations. One of the many meanings or stories attached to the painting is the idea of a map. This tradition is supposed to have started in the 11th century when Bharuch city was a center for traders from the North.
The roads connecting Bharuch and nearby areas were difficult and dangerous, so the tribes created a new occupation for themselves around it – escorting Indian and foreign traders through this region in exchange for silver coins. To ensure that the area remains mysterious and secretive and their livelihood stays safe, the leader of the tribe made a map full of codes. Thus, the seven hills became represented by seven horses and the mouth of the river Narmada by two tigers. The leader also ordered the escorts to make the same painting in their houses. The people who showed loyalty by painting the map at their home came to be known as “Rathwas” while those who disagreed, were called “Talavis”. The Rathwas then got rights to climb and dwell atop the seven hills. This practice went on till 1812 till the British rulers put a stop to it. Then the act of making Pithora painting became a ritual and Pithora became the god of the Rathwa community. The Rathwas believe that if a wish made to “Baba Pithora” is granted, a Pithora painting has to be made in the main wall of the house, in consultation with the village Tantrik.
Another story of Baba Pithora is that Raja Indra, the king of gods, had seven sisters. One fine day, one of his sisters, Rani Kadi Koyal went into the forest where she came across Raja Kanjurana. She had an affair with him, and months later she gave birth to a baby boy. Since she was still unmarried, out of fear of her brother, she set the child afloat in a stream nearby. The very same day, two of Raja Indra’s sisters, Rani Kajal and Rani Makher went to fetch water from the stream and found the baby crying. Rani Kajal bathed the baby with seven kinds of auspicious things and fed him milk of Akda/ Banyan tree flower. The sisters took the baby with them to the palace. Pithora grew into a fine boy with time.
One day, while Pithora was playing he broke Rani Kajal’s earthen pot. This made her furious. She yelled at Pithora saying, “As it is, your maternal uncle holds the share of entire kingdom…”. Pithora realized that Raja Indra is his maternal uncle.
After hearing from her, Pithora got curious about his parents and decided to figure out who they are. Once he got to know about his mother, he went to Raja Indra’s court and confronted him about everything, and introduced himself. After hearing from Pithora, King Indra accepted him into the family with great happiness. Raja Indra then decided to get Pithora married. But before that, Pithora wanted to know about his father. So, Raja Indra invited a grand court. He invited everyone- all the gods and goddesses, kings and queens, noblemen, and respected citizens. When Pithora came into the court, he pointed at Raja Kanjurana and identified him as his father.
After much delight, a grand wedding ceremony was organized. Pithora married Pithori with much composure. All the gods and goddesses attended the wedding. They arrived on horses and elephants. Hence Pithora painting has gods arriving on horses along with Pithora and Pithori.
Pithora is considered a god by the Rathwa community because he identified his father right after seeing him for the very first time. The presence of Baba Pithora is often considered a solution to all the problems.
The process and rules for the painting are well defined. In times of difficulty, Rathwas seek the guidance of Badva, the chief priest or shaman of the village. With his guidance, they take a vow to paint the Pithora in the home to gain a boon from Baba Pithora. As and when the Ghardhani (homeowner) feels that his/her difficulties have reduced, they seek guidance from the Badva and express the desire to undertake the painting of Pithora in their homes. It takes days to prepare the final painting. First, three walls are prepared for the painting, the front wall and the two on either side of it. The front or central wall is very large, twice the size of each of the sidewalls. The wall then needs to be covered in cow dung or mud. Interestingly, unmarried girls bring in these materials. After prayers, the painting is started on a Tuesday and ends on Wednesday. The painting is made by Pithora painters, or “Lakhadas”. The family members living in the house are not allowed to paint. The completion of the painting is celebrated with song, dance, and village dinner.
The motifs in the Pithora painting represent the mythology of the community along with an exclusive depiction of the most essential aspects of daily life. The characters of the entire painting are horses of the gods and goddesses and ancestors in vibrant colors. The painting is ornamented with motifs from nature, daily human activities, animals, farming, trade, important members of the community, along with several new elements, which symbolically represent modernity. The chief deities that appear in the Pithora painting are Baba Pithora, Baba Ganeh, Baba Ind, Pithori Rani, Rani Kajal, Baar Matha no Dhani Raja Bhoj, Abho KunbiNakti Bhuten, Lakhari & Jokhari, and Purvaj na Panch Ghoda. There are at least 50 varieties of Pithoras with the smallest measuring one and a half feet and the largest 145×10 feet.
Originally what started as a code, became a sacred space and is now being sold, although very rarely, as pieces of art. The Pithora painting makers have managed to keep its essence and unique style alive while growing and evolving with the changing environment.
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