Pareshbhai Rathwa was awarded the Padma Shri Award in 2023, which he earned for an exceptional dedication to the preservation and promotion od Pithora art worldwide. This has revitalized a dying practice in keeping with the modern times and this not only honors his contributions but is an indication of the important cultural significance of tribal art forms like Pithora.

When you consider art, Pareshbhai Rathwa is not a new name. He is one of the prominent artists hailing from Chhota Udepur district in Gujarat. It is known that this artist is born into a Rathwa family, and inspiration about art comes from his grandfather. Paresh preserves the rich heritage of Pithora art, and he says that this art dates back to around 12,000 years. Art is his heritage and depicts stories of ancestors, deities, and tribal customs. Besides this, Paresh also trains young ones to sustain this cultural treasure.

This is Pareshbhai Rathwa, a member of the Rathwa tribe-a tribal community of central Gujarat. Personified by their lifestyle, nature-loving Rathwas are also culturally connected with Pithora art. This sacred painting is mainly performed during good auspicious ceremonies as it represents their relationship with deities and ancestors sacred to the tribe. In terms of geographical area, Rathwa are found mainly in Chhota Udepur, which is one of the most tribal-populated districts.

Pareshbhai Rathwa's work has gained international acclaim; besides this, his work was exhibited at the G20 summit, where a Pithora painting created by him was presented to the Prime Minister of Australia. He received the Best Handicraft Award in the Gujarat Travel and Tourism Excellence Awards, 2021, marking him as a major player in tribal art.

Indeed, Pareshbhai Rathwa has brought back the lost glory of Pithora art for younger generations, even gaining international attention for the sacred tradition. He is busy crafting this unique cultural expression, which could be probably termed the link between tribal traditions of the old times and contemporary art forms. Promotion of Pithora art within schools and through exhibitions goes a long way in strengthening the cultural identity of the Rathwa and other indigenous communities.