Manu Bhaker’s home has Pichwai art inspired wallpapers from Saasachi
Indian shooter Manu Bhaker, who won bronze in the women’s 10m air pol event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, recently took viewers inside her 3BHK refurbished flat in Faridabad.
A deeply personal project that she gifted her parents, the house defines comfort and belonging, encapsulating the essence of her mother, the athlete revealed to Asian Paints, giving a virtual tour of the minimalic home she shares with her brother and their parents.
The most striking feature of her space? The walls are adorned with exquisite wallpaper from Saasachi’s Nilaya collection, inspired Pichwai art and Lord Krishna’s Vrindavan tales, captured through intricate flora and fauna motifs. “Cows and trees — this is our vibe,” Bhaker shared her vision when it came to deciding the wallpaper for the house.
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What is Pichwai?
Prof Rajan Shripad Fulari, Dean, School of Visual Arts, World University of Design (WUD), told that Pichwai painting is a traditional Indian art form originating from Nathdwara in Rajasthan, primarily associated with the worship of Lord Krishna, particularly in his manifestation as Shrinathji.
“These intricate paintings are usually done on cloth and are used as temple hangings. The hory of Pichwai paintings dates back to the 17th century when the tradition began in Nathdwara, a prominent pilgrimage site for followers of the Pushtimarg sect of Hinduism,” he added.
Post-renovation, Bhaker’s space exudes elegant and sophicated charm. The Pichwai-inspired wallpaper adds a touch of thoughtful depth and pays homage to her traditional roots.
Her medals are also proudly displayed on the walls above the mantels, while sectional wooden furniture creates clean contrasting lines inside the open space. Soft blue complemented pastel green in her parents’ bedroom, cosy reading corners, and neutral colours in her brother’s space make for a relaxing cocoon that is practical and functional at the same time.
Bhaker shared that several design elements were influenced her mother’s taste: “This (Saasachi) wallpaper was my mom’s pick. ” She added, “For me, home means comfort, home means belonging, and home means my mom. If she hadn’t stood me, I wouldn’t have made it here,” she revealed.
