Sanjhi Art
Sanjhi Art - The Miracles of Paper and Colour
In today's Hands of Grace article, we take a look at Saanjhi Art, a traditional form of stenciled paper cutting, that serves as a conduit of expression for artists’ devotion to Krishna.
Sanjhi art is the traditional art of stenciling from Mathura, Krishna’s hometown. Known for its inherent spiritual implications that reach beyond immediate aesthetic appeal, it is considered to be one of the finest arts of spiritual expression. The art grew in the 16th and 17th centuries, when the walls and floors of temples were decorated with Sanjhi motifs. The term Sanjhi is derived from the Hindi word sandhya, the period of dusk with which the art form is typically associated. The art depicts Indian mythological stories in numerous forms, with predominant focus on Krishna’s Leela.
Folklore tells us that the origins of this art form lie with Radhe, who made Sanjhi rangolis using natural colors, along with flowers, leaves and colored stones, to woo Krishna. The other gopis soon followed suit, also making intricate designs to impress Krishna. Sanjhi has been popular ever since, and during the Mughal period, contemporary themes were introduced for greater perspective. Today, Sanjhi art is found in many homes and spaces.
Sanji are symbolic pictures of Vraj and Krushna lila. Made from various materials, are very artistically arranged to represent the places where Krushna conducted some of his most exciting lilas in Vraj.
Prior to Navratri, the dark fortnight of Bhadra is used by the vaishnavs of Pushti Marg, to perform a virtual Vraj Yatra. Much is made of yatra in our scriptures, but not all of us are able to perform the pilgrimages we would want to. The vacant period of Bhadra, when no other religious activities may be carried out, was used as an ideal period to do the virtual Vraj Yatra ! This period is also known as Pitrupaksha. We remember our ancestors during this period.
There are several legends attached to why sanjis are created during this
period.
1) At one time, Shri Radhaji was told that if she performed the puja of Sandhya devi (the goddess of the evening) with flowers, she was sure to get a wonderful husband. Hoping to wed the handsome son of Nandarai, Shri Radha
made all the preparation for the puja. Shri Krushna, hearing the manner of the puja, decided to help. The only problem was, only women were allowed to participate ! Ever resourceful, Krushna dressed up as a woman and entered the palace of Shri Radhaji with basket of flowers to help with the puja. All the sakhies were rather surprised by the skill and artistic talents of the new lady in their midst. After the designs were made, the sakhis offered consecrated food to the sanjis and performed arti. After the evening puja, it was rather late to go home, and thus Krushna managed to stay the night with his beloved sakhies !!
2) At one time a daughter of a divine being performed intense tapa to attain the Lord Vishnu as her husband. The Lord, pleased by her devotion, he placed her as the star Arundhati in the heavens. The Lord blessed the
star and said, "Those who worship you in the dark fortnight of the pitrus, will get an excellent husband." Over the years, sanjis have evolved and are now made of various materials, including flowers, dry / fresh fruits, coloured powders, plantain leaves - cut into various shapes, dry pulses, rice etc. Bhog and arti are offered to the sanji. At Nathadwara, the sanjis are made from leaves of the plantains and cut into various shapes. Placed in the Kamal chok after the sandya arti. There are set designs created on each days of the sanji. Here is a list of shapes that are usually made on the following days.
Sanjies at Nathadwara
Punam - Vishram ghat - depicting arch of the main ghat, stairs, arti, trees, Baithakji
1st - Madhuvan, talvan - depicting killing demons, herding cows, picnic, Baithakji, monkeys, Krushna and Radhaji, Girirajji
2nd - Bahulavan, Shantanu kunda - depicting water tank, temple, cows, Baithakji, swastika, killing of Putana, lion, Girirajji
3rd - Kumudvan -
4th Krushna kunda, Radha kunda - depicting foot prints of the Lord, 2 / 4 bangalas, cows, herdsmen, Girirajji, baithakji
5th - Danaghati - depicting bangalas, Krushna breaking the pots of gopies, trees, monkeys, peacocks
6th - Kusum sarovar, Chandra sarovar, Raasa - depicting various water tanks, trees, monkeys, Krishna and gopies in a rasa mandal
7th - Giriraji, Gulal kunda - depicting Girirajji, trees, monkeys, Baithakji, bangalas, a water tank with red / pink waters (gulal kunda)
8th - Bhojanthali, Charan pahadi - depicting plates and bowls of food, Jariji, picnic, Mahadevji, pond / water tank
9th - Nandagava, Barasana - depicting the two towns by various bangalas, various ponds, Baithakji, gopies, peacocks, monkeys
10th - Karalavan, Kokilvan - depicting trees, birds, peacocks, Baithkji
11th - Lalbaag, Nathadwara - depicting the various gates, buildings, ponds, trees, guards in the Lalbaag outside Nathadwara
12th - Chiraghat - depicting Shri Yamunaji, trees, monkeys, peacocks, Baithakji
13th - Vrindavan, Sheshsai - depicting trees, peacocks, monkeys, Baithakji, cows, herdsmen, gopies
14th - Shri Dauji, Gokul - depicting Shri Dauji's temple, Baithakji, various banglas, temples, cows, gopies, herdsmen
Amas - Kotaki sanji - depicting the temple of ShriNathji, its various buildings, cows, bulls, elephants, horses, guards, vaishnavs, gopies, gopas, peacocks, monkeys in paper cuttings.
We have collection of more than 200 Sanjhi stencils with us in different size starting from 3 inch to 4 feet. Maximum size 3 feet by 4 feet.
We provide Sanjhi Set starting from 10, 25, 50, 75, 100 different Sanjhi. Set comes in size like Small Size Set, Medium Size Set and big Size Set.
We love to provide online classis for making Sanjhi and Seminar too.
