The Artist’s Table: Kalyan Joshi

An inheritance passed down from fathers to sons was Phad Chitra art for centuries. Lineage plays a significant part in the imparting of knowledge and cultural traditions down to coming generations. There is no better illustration of this than that of Kalyan Joshi and his artistic journey. Coming from the illustrious Joshi family of Phad painters who have been practicing Phad painting for almost 700 years, Kalyan Joshi is a shining example of how living traditions can be brought to life and enrapture contemporary audiences.

Story of Pabuji, Natural Stone Colors on Canvas, 48 x 120 In. Kalyan Joshi

The National Award Winner has taken the Phad tradition all over the world. As a part of the Joshi family, he was steeped in the rich culture that informed him about the Phad painting at an early age. A tradition that he has fought to preserve in our notoriously fickle society. To this end, his father Shree Lal Joshi established the Chitrashala, a sanctuary for young artists who are taught the tradition of Phad. Thus breaking the norm where only male members of the Joshi clan could learn and practice the art of making Phad. Here through workshops and exhibitions, the art form continues to impact the lives of all those young men and women who come into contact with it. Shepherding generations of new artists in this glorious tradition and immortalizing the form.