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Phad Painting, Shahpura

PHAD
The ancient tradition of scroll painting survives in Rajasthan as Phad. A phad is a long rectangular cloth painting that tells of the adventures and travails of Pabuji, a local hero or other epic heroes. Usually about five metres by one and a half metres in size, the phad is painted in bold colours and is rolled on two shafts of bamboo, thus making it easy to carry. Painted by the Joshis of Shahpura , they have been used for centuries as a backdrop by Bhopas or the bards of Rajasthan who go from village to village singing about the exploits of legendary heroes. Scrolls of classical subjects like