What are Phads in relation to painting?

Cloth scrolls painted to honour folk deities

Answer: Cloth scrolls painted to honour folk deities
Phads are long, horizontal cloth scrolls painted to honour folk deities, particularly among pastoral communities in the Bhilwara region of Rajasthan.

Phads are long, horizontal, cloth scrolls painted to honour folk deities of pastoral communities inhabiting the region around Bhilwara in Rajasthan. For such communities, safeguarding their livestock is the foremost concern. Such concerns purposely reflect in their myths, legends and worship patterns. Among their gods are defied cattle heroes, who are brave men who sacrificed their lives while protecting the community’s cattle from robbers. Designated by the broad term bhomia, these heroes are honoured, worshiped and remembered for their acts of martyrdom. Bhomias, such as Gogaji, Jejaji, Dev Narayan, Ramdevji and Pabhuji, have inspired widespread cult following among the communities of Rabaris, Gujjars, Meghwals, Regars and others.