SANJHI ART

Sanjhi art which is a paper cutting stencilling technique hailing from the city of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. Deriving its name from the word Sajja or Shringar, meaning decoration, the prominent traditional themes are centred around the Hindu god Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu. The art grew in the 16th and 17th centuries, when the walls and floors of temples were decorated with Sanjhi motifs. According to legend the origin of this artform is linked to Radha- Krishna’s divine consort. She would create these stencils to make rangolis (floor patterns) to please her lover. During the Mughal period when art was patronised by the royal courts, Sanjhi continued to gain traction. Secular themes and decorative motifs were introduced that were appreciated by all. This way over time the repertoire of themes grew and the contemporary versions allude to this process.