Dehin is a style of wall painting seen in a Gurdwara. One of the finest examples of this style of painting can be witnessed in the
Golden Temple of
Amritsar in
Punjab.
The Dehin painting depicts a confluence of animal and vegetable life. The basic structure of a Dehin, called ghawanj, consists of a vase placed on a pedestal. The vase contains a bouquet of flowers called ‘jhar’. Birds and animals are shown around this vase in a variety of postures, often in a combative or chasing mode. Adding further complexity is the creepers, which are intertwined around the animals and birds. Some ghawanj are also created using aquatic creatures.
The ghawanj is painted in a square form, bordered by creepers. These square paintings adorn the walls, floors and the ceiling of a Gurdwara. The collection of these paintings often resembles a carpet. The colors used in Dehin are prepared from natural materials. The painting is done on the wet plaster.
