Reliance Foundation to buy 700 Pichavai paintings

Ahmedabad, Aug 31 (PTI) 100 Pichavai artists of Nathdwarain Rajasthan have been commissioned by Reliance Foundation tomake 700 paintings. Reliance Foundation Chairperson Nita Ambani today made theannouncement here calling it "an endeavour to keep alive thedying art form". Ambani interacted with some of the Pichavai artistsand said that all these paintings will be used as corporategifts from Reliance during Diwali. "Pichavai is the world’s oldest practicing art form.These paintings are made by artists living in and aroundNathdwara. Since this art form is struggling to keep itselfalive, Reliance Foundation has commissioned 100 such artiststo make about 700 Pichavai paintings," said Ambani. "Once they are ready, we will use these paintings asReliance corporate gifts during Diwali. I also want tocommission them to make Pichavai paintings for the newconvention centre coming up at Reliance Headquarters inMumbai. In future, we will also commission them to make allthe Reliance corporate gifts," said Ambani. A Pichavai artist from Nathdwara, Mohanlal Sharma, whoalong with some other artists, was here to meet Ambani, saidthis initiative by Ambani’s foundation will help more than 100families of Pichavai artists in Nathdwara, famous for the LordShrinathji temple. "Each standard size painting is sold for around Rs 7,000to Rs 9,000 in market. There are around 100 families inNathdwara associated with this art for more than 300 to 400years. The initiative by Reliance Foundation would help us inkeeping this art alive, as the sale in open market hasdeclined in recent times," said Sharma. PTI PJT PD ARSCHTSDM