Pabuji Ki Phad: A Narrative Scroll Painting from Rajasthan

An impressive Pabuji Ki Phad scroll painting in two parts, Rajasthan India 19th century, ink and coloured pigment on cotton cloth, the central figure depicted as a princely Pabuji in various narrative scenes, an extensive depiction 782 x 145 cm, other notes: a Phad is traditionally used as a backdrop mural for devotional performances by 'Bhopas' who are invited to celebrations and festivals to narrate the story of the Lok Deva or folk gods. Phads are passed down from father to Son in the Bhopa family. The artwork contains several scenes from the life of Pabuji who is used to illustrate the stories during the Bhopa's performance, each Phad is used over 3, 4 or more generations. When Bhopas commission a new Phad, the old ancestral Phad is usually consecrated and laid down in holy waters. In a few cases the Phad artist requests that the old Phad be retained for artisitic purposes.