About Pithora Painting

Rathva culture is full of colourful mythology, historical lore, music, festivals, rituals, and art. The Pithora painting form is traditionally performed on walls inside the homes of the Rathvas community of Gujarat like most Adivasi. It is part of an elaborate ritual performed to complete vows to gain the boon of the chief god of the Rathvas, Baba Pithora. In times of difficulty, Rathva seeks the guidance of Badva, the chief priest or shaman of the village. Badva performs readings based on the skills he has acquired through ancestral schooling and recommends undertaking a vow to paint Pithora in the home in order to gain a boon from Baba Pithora. The person who undertakes the vow is known as Ghardhani, or in simple terms, the homeowner. As and when the Ghardhani 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. The Ghardhani and Badva invite a Lakhara (individual who paints Pithora) of repute in the community. The Lakhara then visits and discusses with Ghardhani and Badva the details of the vow and thereafter prepares to create the Pithora Painting. The completion of the painting would signify the end of the ritual and fulfilment of the vow and is followed by a village dinner.

Types of Pithora

There are two types of Pithora, based on the progress of vows and the monetary capacity of the Ghardhani. Based on the variations they are Ardho Pithoro (‘half Pithor’), and Akho Pithoro (‘complete Pithora’).

In Ardho Pithora painting, usually, five to nine horses are drawn and none of the horses has riders except for Baba Ganeh.

An Akho Pithora painting consists of a total of 18 horses with their celestial riders. They celebrate Akho Pithora with all rituals and customs.

Raw Materials

Cow Dung- This is the first step in the process called ‘Lipan’. It is the mixture of cow dung and mud which is coated on the wall before painting begins

Mud- a mixture of wet mud is used along with cow dung to coat the wall as a base for the painting.

White Chalk Powder- This is the second coat in Lipan and is done over the mixture of cow dung and mud.

Natural Colours- These colours come in the form of powder origin from Calcutta and are prepared by mixing it with Cow milk and Mahuda (Local liquor extracted from Mahuda Tree). The main colours used are Red, Vermilion, Orange, Yellow, Indigo, Green, Black & Silver.

Khakhra Leaves- Bowl are made from these leaves which are used as utensils for mixing colours.

Bamboo stem- This stem is used to make a natural brush of different numbers for a painting on a wall.

Mahuda- This is a local liquor that is extracted from the Mahuda tree.

Milk- Cow milk is mixed with Mahuda and Pigments to create colour for painting

Poster Colours- Nowadays, poster colours are been used as they are easily available and are slowly replacing natural colours.

Paper or Fabric- As this craft has grown in popularity they used handmade paper or canvas for commercial purposes.