Untitled (Bhil Pithora)
Signed and dated in Devnagari (lower right)
2009
Acrylic on canvas
38 x 48 in | 96.5 x 122 cm
THIS LOT WILL BE SHIPPED IN A ROLL
A Pithora is a ritual wall painting done by Bhilala, Rathwa and Nayka ribes in the central Gujarat area around Baroda. The painting is executed in fulfillment of vows taken, in order to avert evil or to appease a God. It is of deep significance in the life of the tribal people, and one sees at least three of four paintings in every village of this area. The paintings are done by write-painters (lakhara) of different villages, who come together to perform their ritual task. Pithora paintings are usually rendered in bright tints-brilliant blues, reds, greens, yellows and orange with the figures outlined in black, A Pithora wall painting is confined within a rectangular decorative bordered space on a wall within a rectangular decorative bordered space on a wall with three symbolic rows. Every Pithora paintings has depictions of an outer boundary and an entrance in the middle of the lower border, usually guarded by two panthers that are often seen snatching a pig or a goat. The village guard also figures prominently in many works. The most significant element of Pithora wall painting is the linear execution of the painting.