Pichhwai is a devotional style of painting on cloth. Pichhwai art is painted on cloth from Nathdwara, usually a backdrop (peechhe) hung behind Lord Krishna's idols. Vaishnavite painters usually painted these for pilgrims visiting Shrinathji temple as a token of their pilgrimage. Eventually, they were also commissioned by patrons and rulers of different beliefs. Pichhwai paintings depict Krishna’s life vividly — with cows, Kadam trees, jasmine or marigold flowers and dancing gopis (lady followers).

Pichhwai paintings depict the spirit of the season or the theme of festivals related to Lord Krishna. During summer months, paintings with lotus ponds and mythical Vrindavan groves are hung behind the idol to depict cool and green pastures. Monsoon paintings depict dancing peacocks and stormy scenes of rain and lightning, the palette mainly shades of green. Of all paintings, the Raasleela theme is perhaps the most popular. Each have a depiction of the cow in some form or the other and allude to the presence of Krishna. These paintings are elaborate, entirely done by hand and detailing takes time. Most are traditionally created by the Adi Gaud community using traditional stone colours on cotton.

Now, there are various interpretations of Pichhwai. Some painters have been working on smaller affordable artworks with acrylic paints.

National-award winning artist Ajit Kumar Das, a contemporary kalamkari master, is renowned for painting on fabrics. His most memorable creation is called Gabbi (cows). Das draws from the Pichhwai tradition, painting the cows with natural dyes. They tell a story of their own with eyes that speak in almost celebratory postures.

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