Posted on 17 March 2026:
The Sacred Aesthetics: Phad & Pichwai Art Exhibition at Bikaner House, New Delhi
Rooftop’s Indiyart unveils The Sacred Aesthetics, an exhibition that celebrates Rajasthan’s timeless painting traditions—Phad and Pichwai—through the masterful works of Prakash Joshi and Mukut Joshi.
From March 20 to March 23, 2026, the Main Art Gallery at Bikaner House, New Delhi will transform into a sanctum of color, devotion, and storytelling, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in the sacred visual language of these centuries-old art forms.
The exhibition presents 15 Phad paintings by Prakash Joshi and 13 Pichwai paintings by Mukut Joshi, offering a rare dialogue between two traditions that embody contrasting yet complementary aesthetics. Phad, historically painted as expansive scrolls for priest-performers of the Rabari community, thrives on narrative, ritual, and collective participation. In contrast, Pichwai, with its refined iconography and devotional opulence, draws the viewer into an intimate spiritual encounter with the divine. Together, they illuminate the duality of collective memory and personal devotion, situating heritage within a contemporary framework.
As Mr. Kartik Gaggar, CEO of Rooftop, reflects, “With The Sacred Aesthetics, we are not only showcasing centuries-old traditions of Phad through the works of Prakash Joshi and Pichwai through the artistry of Mukut Joshi, but also highlighting their contemporary relevance. This exhibition is an invitation to experience these artworks as living practices that continue to inspire, adapt, and connect us to our cultural memory.” His words underscore Rooftop’s vision of bridging tradition with modern sensibilities, ensuring that these sacred practices remain vibrant and resonant in today’s world.
Phad artist Prakash Joshi stands as a custodian of Rajasthan’s narrative tradition, his artistry honored with the National Award (President’s Award, 2009) and the Kala Mani Award (2010). His scrolls, alive with ritual and storytelling, reside in the National Archives, New Delhi, the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal, and in the collections of India’s foremost museums—testament to a legacy both revered and enduring.
His brother, Mukut Joshi, recipient of the State Award (2010) and District Award (2007), brings a fresh vision to the luminous world of Pichwai painting. Rooted in devotion yet open to contemporary sensibilities, his works breathe new life into this sacred form, weaving tradition with innovation. Together, the Joshi brothers embody the living heritage of Rajasthan’s sacred aesthetics, where continuity meets renewal.
At the heart of this celebration is Rooftop, a creative universe where passion and tradition converge. Born in India with the simple goal of making creativity feel close, Rooftop began by connecting learners directly with artists whose crafts carry generations of memory. Today, it has expanded into a global multiverse—an evolving space where artists, collectors, and curious seekers meet. Whether one wishes to learn, create, collect, or simply experience, Rooftop offers a world where creativity is not distant, but deeply personal, warm and alive.
Following the success of Indiyart’s 2024 exhibition Viral Gaatha, which explored tribal art forms through innovative AI and VR elements, The Sacred Aesthetics continues Rooftop’s mission of crafting immersive cultural experiences.
HERE, AUDIENCES ARE OFFERED NOT JUST AN EXHIBITION, BUT A PROFOUND ENCOUNTER WITH RAJASTHAN’S SACRED PAINTING TRADITIONS—AN OPPORTUNITY TO WITNESS ART AS RITUAL, HERITAGE, AND FINE EXPRESSION, ALL CONVERGING IN ONE LUMINOUS SPACE.
