Learn the devotional art of Nathdwara through in-studio, online live, or recorded classes. Lotus motifs, floral borders, Shrinathji figures, temple compositions, and complete Pichwai masterpieces — one-on-one instruction, all levels welcome.
THE CURRICULUM
A structured, practice-focused programme — every session builds on the last, and every class ends with a finished Pichwai artwork.
PRICING
8 one-on-one sessions of 90 minutes each. Choose the format that works best for you.
WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY
The studio's Pichwai art classes were a beautiful introduction to the tradition — the instructors explained the layered detailing and devotional motifs so patiently that I left my first session with a piece I actually framed.
We booked a Pichwai art workshop for a small group of friends and the team made it engaging and accessible for everyone — patient instruction and each of us left with our own hand-painted piece.
The studio's advanced Pichwai course pushed my technique and understanding of the traditional motifs much further than I expected — detailed feedback and a genuinely encouraging space to learn in. Already planning to join the next batch.
WHY LEARN WITH US
Learn Pichwai from a practising artist with deep knowledge of the Nathdwara tradition — covering lotus motifs, cow and peacock detailing, floral borders, Shrinathji figures, temple compositions, and complete devotional artworks.
The 8-session curriculum builds from lotus motif practice and cow detailing through floral border design, Shrinathji figures, temple background patterns, full composition planning, and a final complete masterpiece.
Attend in-studio at C.R. Park, join interactive online live sessions, or learn through recorded modules at your own pace. The choice is yours.
Pichwai is rooted in sacred tradition — each motif carries meaning, each composition tells a story of devotion. These classes teach not just technique but the spiritual vocabulary that gives Pichwai its depth and reverence.
Pichwai demands richly layered ornamental work — precise floral borders, repeating motifs, and symmetrical compositions. These classes build the disciplined eye and steady hand that define this tradition's luxurious aesthetic.
Whether you are new to Indian classical painting or deepening an existing practice, the one-on-one format ensures instruction is always calibrated to your current level and pace.
Pichwai art
THE ARTIST BEHIND Rajni Dutta Art & Design
Rajni Dutta · Founder
Rajni Dutta is a contemporary artist, designer, and the creative force behind Rajni Dutta Art, a South Delhi – based art and design studio known for its unique fusion of tradition and modernity. With a deep-rooted passion for India’s cultural and artistic heritage, Rajni specializes in folk art fusion, reinterpreting classical art forms such as Mandala, Gond, Warli, Madhubani, Pattachitra, Kalamkari, Pichwai, and Lippan through a contemporary perspective.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Everything you need to know before enrolling. Still have a question?
No. The class is suitable for complete beginners with no prior art background.
Yes, all materials — including clay, mirrors, base board, and adhesives — are included for in-studio sessions. For online live classes, materials can be self-arranged or a kit can be couriered for ₹2,000.
Classes are one-on-one and scheduled at a time that suits you. Confirm your preferred slot via WhatsApp.
Lotus motifs, cow and decorative detailing, floral border designs, Shrinathji / Krishna figure drawing, temple background patterns, full composition planning, and a complete final Pichwai masterpiece — across 8 sessions.
Yes. An unlimited pausing facility is available for both in-studio and online live formats.
Yes, a recorded self-paced course is launching soon at ₹600 per artwork. Message us on WhatsApp for early access.
Pichwai paintings weren't made to be admired up close in a gallery — they were made to hang behind a deity, large and rich enough to hold a whole room's attention from across a temple. Learning the style means learning to paint devotion at scale: cows, lotus ponds, and Krishna rendered with a density most modern painting doesn't ask for. This page covers what a Pichwai art class actually teaches, who it suits, the schedule, materials, cost, and how to enrol across Delhi NCR.
Pichwai is a devotional painting tradition from Nathdwara in Rajasthan, traditionally created to hang behind the idol of Shrinathji, a form of Krishna, inside temples of the Pushtimarg sect. The name comes from "pichh" (behind) and "wai" (hanging). Paintings are rich and densely detailed, most often depicting Krishna with cows, lotus ponds, gopis, and seasonal festival scenes, historically painted in vivid natural colour with gold detailing.
What makes it visually distinct from other Indian devotional folk styles is the recurring cow motif — cows appear constantly in genuine Pichwai work, tied to Krishna's identity as a cowherd, and painting them convincingly is one of the tradition's real technical benchmarks. The other distinguishing feature is scale and density: because these were made as temple backdrops, not intimate pieces, a proper Pichwai composition fills its surface with layered detail rather than leaving open space.
A class starts with the specific line and colour techniques used to render cows and lotus motifs, since getting those right is central to the style, before moving into a fuller composition. You'll learn to build a layered scene with a clear focal point — usually Krishna or Shrinathji — surrounded by supporting detail rather than a single isolated subject.
A typical first session covers, step by step:
Pichwai's detail-heavy method suits a range of learners, though the fit varies by group.
No prior art experience is assumed. The specific motifs are taught step by step, so beginners build toward a full composition gradually rather than being asked to freehand a complex scene from the start.
If you've learned Madhubani, Pattachitra, or another detail-dense tradition, Pichwai's specific motif vocabulary and devotional composition style are a genuinely different discipline worth adding, particularly if you're drawn to rich colour and layered scenes over line-based pattern.
A simplified cow or lotus motif keeps a first session achievable for children, and the colourful, detail-oriented nature of the work suits kids who enjoy patient, focused tasks. Parent-child bookings let both work on the same scene at their own pace.
There's more than one way to learn:
| Format | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| In-studio | Hands-on learners wanting direct guidance | Materials set up; ~2–3 hrs per session |
| Online — live | Learners outside Delhi or short on time | Real-time feedback; simple material list shared ahead |
| Online — recorded | Self-paced learners | Rewatch motif and colour-layering demonstrations as needed |
| Kids & parent-child | Younger learners | Simplified motifs, same core technique |
A single introductory session runs about two to three hours, enough to complete a small motif-based piece without rushing the colour layering, which is where the tradition's richness actually shows. A short series helps with fuller, more layered compositions once the core motifs feel comfortable.
For in-studio classes, everything's provided:
For online classes, you get a short materials list in advance — fine brushes and basic paper or canvas are easy to source, so there's little barrier to starting from home.
Price depends on format and commitment rather than a single flat rate. What shapes it:
A short series rather than a single session is where the motif work and colour layering genuinely improve, since both take a bit of repetition to feel natural. Tell us your level and preferred format, and you'll get clear pricing before enrolling.
The studio is in C.R. Park, South Delhi, easily reached from South Delhi, Greater Kailash, Nehru Place, and the wider Delhi NCR area. Pichwai is genuinely uncommon to find taught hands-on outside Rajasthan, so if you've been searching without much luck, this is a real, in-person option.
Too far for a studio visit? The live online class delivers the same guided teaching from home, and the recorded course removes the travel question entirely.
Getting started takes a couple of minutes:
Classes are led by folk-art fusion artist Rajni Dutta and her full-time team of practising commission artists, teaching under her direct mentorship. Pichwai sits alongside Madhubani, Warli, Lippan, Gond, Kalamkari, Pattachitra, and mandala in the studio's practice, each taught as its own tradition rather than folded into a generic folk-art curriculum.
For a sense of the credibility behind the teaching: the studio has been featured by Hindustan Times, Business Standard, ThePrint, and ANI, and has run creative sessions for organisations including Airbnb, Qualcomm, upGrad, and Shoppers Stop. There's more about Rajni and the studio if you'd like the fuller background.
If Pichwai turns out to be one folk form among several you'd like to explore, our Madhubani art classes and Pattachitra art classes cover two other detail-rich devotional traditions taught at the same studio.
Pichwai is a devotional painting tradition from Nathdwara, Rajasthan, traditionally hung behind the idol of Shrinathji, a form of Krishna, in Pushtimarg temples. It typically depicts Krishna with cows, lotus ponds, and seasonal festival scenes in rich, detailed colour.
No. The specific motifs — cows, lotus forms — are taught step by step, so beginners build toward a full composition gradually rather than needing to freehand a complex scene from the start.
A small piece built around traditional Pichwai motifs like cows or lotus ponds, with a central focal figure and layered colour in the tradition's characteristic rich palette.
Both. You can learn hands-on at the C.R. Park studio, join a live online class, or follow recorded lessons at your own pace. Kids and parent-child sessions are also available with simplified motifs.
Yes for in-studio classes — canvas or paper, fine brushes, and paints are all provided. Online students get a short, affordable materials list in advance.