Exploring Pichvai: India's Sacred Textile Art in London

Of India's numerous art forms, Pichvai is one of the most easily recognised.

- NOOR ANAND CHAWLA

Its universality, therefore, lends itself to being shown on a global scale. This summer, Pichvai art has made it to central London's The Mall Galleries with the exhibition, 'राग, भोग, श्रृंगार - Feast, Melody and Adornment,' running from July 2-6, 2025.

Spread across three spacious rooms, there are over 350 hand-painted Pichvai paintings on display at the exhibition. Some are heritage pieces from Singhal's personal collection which have been meticulously restored, while others reinterpret the 400-year-old tradition from Nathdwara within a contemporary context.

For the last decade, Singhal has made it her mission to restore the historical techniques of this art form while ensuring that the intergenerational knowledge of its creation is preserved. Hence, she has taken the work of her atelier to the India Art Fair, Art Mumbai and Kochi-Muziris Biennale, as well as international art platforms. Currently, it adorns one of London's most renowned galleries in a first-of-its-kind exhibition.