BUY RECORDING: ONLINE PITHORA ART WORKSHOP WITH PARESH RATHWA




Beginner Friendly
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₹750 Inclusive of all taxes

EMI available: Pay in installments with your preferred Credit/Debit cards.

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Beginner
Hindi/English (Our Community Manager is present to Help Live Translate)
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Certificate Upon Completion

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About the Workshop +

ONLINE PITHORA ART WORKSHOP WITH PARESH RATHWA

This workshop is now over, you can buy the recordings for this workshop.

This workshop was done in 1 class and thus 1 recording would be provided.

Paresh Rathwa will guide you on how to create the basic drawing followed by painting.

 Materials that you will need:

  • A4 Size plain paper (a couple of extra sheets to practice sketching)
  • Poster colors (preferred, if you don’t have access to poster colors, you can use acrylic colors)
  • Brushes (size 0 to size 4/5), water and palette for mixing
  • Black pen for outlines (not mandatory, can outline with brush and paint too)
  • Pencil and rubber for sketching

We hope you can join us to support the arts and artists.


Key Takeaways +


Is the Art Kit included with my order? +

No, we do not provide art kits with this workshop. Before the workshop, we will share the list of materials you will need to complete your artwork. Our materials list is curated to make sure all required items are easily available.

However, we also sell art kits for some of the art forms seperately which you can find here.


What materials do I need to prepare in Advance? +



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Paresh Rathwa has taken the artform beyond their community as well as the country. “Be it a depiction of countryside, weddings, festivals or celebrations of tribals, Pithora art celebrates different realities of rural life. It is like photographs of our daily lives, only hand-made and not clicked,” says Paresh Rathwa, a 51-year-old artist of Pithora paintings from Chhota Udepur, Gujarat, who has been giving classes in Pithora art online and offline.

Pithora


Pithora painting is a vibrant and ritualistic art form practiced by the Rathwa, Bhilala, and Bhil tribes primarily in the states of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, India. These paintings are not just decorative; they are deeply rooted in the cultural and spiritual life of the community, often created as part of a ritual to invoke blessings from the deities. Recognized for their dynamic compositions, bold colors, and symbolic motifs, Pithora paintings serve as a living tradition that reflects the beliefs, myths, and daily life of the tribal communities. Each painting is considered a sacred offering, created with the purpose of fulfilling vows, seeking prosperity, or healing ailments. Pithora paintings are rich with symbolic meaning and often depict a variety of themes centered around tribal mythology, folklore, and the natural world. Common motifs include horses, which symbolize the Pithora Baba and other deities, scenes of village life, animals, trees, and celestial bodies. The artwork typically narrates stories of creation, the relationships between humans and the divine, and the harmony between the tribespeople and nature. The paintings are filled with vibrant images of the sun, moon, and stars, representing the universe's interconnectedness and the cyclical nature of life. Each element in the painting serves a specific purpose and contributes to the overall narrative, making Pithora a deeply communicative and meaningful art form. History The origins of Pithora painting can be traced back centuries and are closely intertwined with the rituals and traditions of the Rathwa and Bhil communities. According to oral traditions, Pithora paintings began as a form of worship to appease and honor Pithora Baba, the chief deity believed to protect and bless the tribe. Historically, these paintings were created on the walls of village homes, particularly in the main room or the Pithora Ghar, which acts as a sacred space. The ritual of creating a Pithora painting involves elaborate ceremonies led by a 'Badwa' (tribal priest) who guides the painter, usually a male member of the tribe known as a 'Lakhara,' in the creation of the artwork. This art form has evolved over the years, adapting to changing times while preserving its core spiritual essence. The style of Pithora painting is characterized by its use of bold, vivid colors and a distinctive linear quality. The paintings are usually executed on large, white-washed walls, creating a bright backdrop that enhances the vibrancy of the colors. The figures are rendered in a stylized manner, with simple yet expressive forms that capture the essence of the subjects. Pithora paintings are typically divided into three sections: the upper section represents the heavens, the middle section depicts the earth, and the lower section symbolizes the underworld. This tripartite division is not just artistic but also reflects the tribes' cosmology. The artwork is spontaneous and intuitive, with the painter often guided by the priest’s instructions rather than a preconceived plan, resulting in a dynamic and fluid composition. Materials and Methods The creation of Pithora paintings involves a collaborative and ceremonial process that begins with the preparation of the wall, which is first plastered with a mixture of mud, cow dung, and lime to create a smooth surface. The painting process itself is a ritualistic act, often accompanied by songs, dances, and offerings. Natural pigments sourced from the earth, minerals, and organic materials such as turmeric, vermilion, indigo, and rice flour are traditionally used to create the vibrant colors seen in Pithora art. Modern adaptations sometimes incorporate synthetic colors for convenience and durability. The figures and motifs are first outlined in bold lines, and then filled with vibrant hues, creating a visually striking and intricate tapestry of tribal life and belief. Significance Pithora paintings hold profound cultural and spiritual significance for the Rathwa, Bhilala, and Bhil communities. They are not merely decorative; each painting is a sacred offering, created as a fulfillment of a vow or as a plea for divine intervention in matters of health, prosperity, or protection. The process of creating a Pithora painting is as important as the artwork itself, involving the entire community in a shared act of devotion and celebration. Beyond their ritualistic value, Pithora paintings serve as a visual record of the tribes’ heritage, preserving their stories, beliefs, and connection to nature. In recent years, the art form has gained recognition beyond the tribal communities, appreciated for its raw aesthetic and cultural richness. Efforts to promote and sustain Pithora painting include workshops, exhibitions, and collaborations with contemporary artists, ensuring that this vibrant tradition continues to thrive and inspire future generations. FAQs Are Pithora paintings purely decorative? No, Pithora paintings are not purely decorative. They are deeply spiritual and serve as a form of communication with the divine. Each painting is considered a sacred offering, created with specific intentions such as honoring a vow, seeking blessings, or invoking protection. Can Pithora paintings be found outside of tribal homes? Yes, Pithora paintings have gained recognition beyond tribal communities and are featured in exhibitions, cultural festivals, and art galleries. They are appreciated for their artistic and cultural value and have been incorporated into contemporary art spaces, helping to raise awareness of this traditional craft. How can one support Pithora painters and preserve this art form? Supporting Pithora artists can be done by purchasing their artworks, participating in workshops, and promoting awareness of the craft.



Product Details

Title
BUY RECORDING: ONLINE PITHORA ART WORKSHOP WITH PARESH RATHWA
Vendor
PARESH RATHWA
Art Style
Pithora
Difficulty Level
Beginner
Workshop Type
Recording
Audio Language
Hindi/English
Materials Included
No
Date
0 Days

Customer Reviews

FAQs

Masterclasses are complete pre-recorded courses of 7-8 parts that have been researched and recorded by us at the Master artists homes. LIVE workshops happen in real time over zoom along with the Master Artist and a small group. Live workshops have different levels. We only have a few Masterclasses right now - Lippan art from Kutch and Pichwai art from Nathdwara, Rajasthan and are producing and adding more every month. While we cover more than 60 heritage art and craft forms in our live workshops already.

You could attend a beginner friendly live workshop (or even a masterclass if its Lippan or Pichwai you are interested in) and then join the foundations or advanced LIVE workshops. The different levels for the LIVE workshops are- Beginner, Foundations and Advancedyour store.

Materials are not included in the masterclasses but you can order from our list of authentic art kits and materials in addition to the masterclass. For the live workshops, materials are included in some of the live workshops as part of the workshop and it would be mentioned in the workshop description.

Beginner Friendly- These are usually 1-2 classes of 2 hours each and one of the simpler artworks and motifs of that art style are covered in the beginner friendly workshops as an introduction to that art form.
Foundations- In the foundations live workshops, the workshops are structured to teach you the basic motifs and foundations of that art style , the focus is not on completing a painting but the elements taught in each class are incorporated in a painting and a few different compositions are also taught
Advanced- in the Advanced live workshop, usually the focus is on completing a more elaborate and intricate painting - no basic motifs are covered in the advanced workshops.
Masterclass-A masterclass is structured as 7-8 pre-recorded classes covering introduction of the artform, introduction of the artist, introduction of the different traditional materials used in that art and then 3 artworks are usually taught ranging from beginner to intermediate.

Yes, going forward, our platform will automatically award you a certificate on behalf of MeMeraki for completing a workshop with us and being a patron of the arts. This will be accessible via the ‘My Workshops’ section under each workshop that you have attended after Nov 2021.

Yes, we have many patrons attending our workshops from across the world. We ship the art kits internationally for the workshops where materials are included. International shipping charges are INR2000. Even if you are ordering an art kit separately in addition to a MASTERCLASS, we can ship internationally.

Yes, you will be able to access the recording of all the workshops you have attended through the ‘My Workshops’ section to be able to practice at your own pace later.

The previous workshops recordings will still be available to you via google drive as earlier. But going forward for all new workshops post Nov 2021, the workshops will be accessible through our website and platform only.

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