Rathva

My name is Parseengbhai Harseengbhai Rathva, and I am a traditional Pithora painting artist from the Rathwa tribe of Gujarat, India. Pithora painting is a sacred ritual art created to honor Baba Pithora Dev and celebrate our community's faith and traditions. This art has been passed down through my family for generations. My grandfather was a Pithora artist, and later my father continued the tradition. I learned by watching and working alongside my father from a young age. In 2015, I began my journey as a Pithora artist. My first major experience was visiting the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (National Museum of Mankind), Bhopal, with my father as a Bhopa. Since then, I have been dedicated to preserving and sharing this beautiful tribal art with people across India. Through every painting, I carry forward the heritage, beliefs, and stories of my ancestors.