How Mata ni Pachedi is Treading New Pathways
A look at contemporary interpretations of Mata ni Pachedi, a textile-based art form from Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Dastkari Haat Samiti
Dastkari Haat Samiti
From textiles to books
The success of Mata ni Pachedi as a unique textile art of India can be seen from the innovative projects that come to Chittara artists, like book illustrations and art featuring their heritage and style. They tread new avenues using their skills to progress in a modern and fast changing world. Greeting cards, story books for children, bookmarks and other small items help them reach out to people who are unfamiliar with this art or even its history.
Mata ni Pachedi: Cloth of the Mother Goddess (Tara Books, 2015) (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
The evolution of Mata ni Pachedi artist Jagdish Chittara’s work tells a story of how art traditions evolve with changing times.
Mata ni Pachedi: Jagdish Chitara talks about his work (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
The artist recalls that a collaborative project with Tara Publishing opened a new audience to his art. The Chennai-based publishing house is known for its work with traditional artists.
Mata ni Pachedi: The artwork published in a book (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
The result of this partnership was a book by the name of The Great Race (Tara Books, 2012).
Mata ni Pachedi: The Great Race (Tara Books, 2011) (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
The Great Race is based on an Indonesian folk tale.
Mata ni Pachedi: The animal created in traditional style (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
It extended Jagdish’s art to a universe of creatures and a context far removed from the Mata ni Pachedi.
Mata ni Pachedi: Illustrations in the traditional style of Mata ni Pachedi (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
The sun, commonly used in the Mata ni Pachedi, also has a special place in the book.
Mata ni Pachedi: From Cloth of the Mother Goddess (Tara Books, 2015) (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
The collaboration was extended with another book, this time on the tradition of Mata ni Pachedi.
Mata ni Pachedi: From Cloth of the Mother Goddess (Tara Books, 2015) (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
The Cloth of the Mother Goddess (Tara Books, 2015) was a limited edition art book hand block printed on fabric, with an accompanying film on Jagdish Chittara’s art.
Mata ni Pachedi: Jagdish Chitara's art projects (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
As the artist came to be known outside his traditional market, he was exposed to a number of diverse projects.
Mata ni Pachedi: Playing cards developed for a private buyer (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Ahmedabad-based clients' commissioned work ranges from exclusive wedding invitations, to portraits in the Mata ni Pachedi style, to customised playing cards.
Mata ni Pachedi: Playing cards developed for a private buyer (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Playing cards made in Mata ni Pachedi style of art.
Mata ni Pachedi: A commissioned painting of Mahatma Gandhi (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
A book created by Jagdish Chittara has reached the Frankfurt Book Fair. Sanjay Chittara’s resplendent Mata ni Pachedis adorn elegant corporate offices and hotel lobbies.
Mata ni Pachedi: A client's instructions and plan for an illustrated work (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
The evolution of Mata ni Pachedi artist Jagdish Chittara’s work tells a story of how art traditions evolve with changing times.
Textiles to tiles
The Mata ni Pachedi emanated from the needs of the poor and the marginalised in society. They found a textile which they could sanctify to the level of a temple or shrine since they were not welcome in formal temples. The Chittara artists have taken a new initiative and given Mata ni Pachedi a new direction by rendering the art form on ceramic tiles.
Mata ni Pachedi: Inside Jagdish Chitara's family temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Perhaps the most significant new initiative in relation to the art form is what has been undertaken in Jagdish’s own family temple.
Here, in the temple to the Mother Goddess, the Chittara artists have installed a rendition of the Mata ni Pachedi in tiles behind the shrine of the Goddess.
Mata ni Pachedi: The Goddess moves from the textile to tile (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
This is like a custom come full circle – the goddess in the textile moving back to the temple.
Mata ni Pachedi: Inside Jagdish Chitara's family temple in Ahmedabad (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
The Chittaras are proud of this permanent rendition of their art – a symbol of the ever fluid and evolving nature of living traditions.
Mata ni Pachedi: A screen printed Mata ni Pachedi textile (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Read more about Mata ni Pachedi here:
- Creating a Mata ni Pachedi
- The Community
Text: Aloka Hiremath, Jaya Jaitly
Photography: Suleiman Merchant
Artisans: Jagdish Chittara, Sanjay Chittara
Ground Facilitator: Aloka Hiremath
Documentary Video: Suleiman Merchant
Curation: Aradhana Nagpal
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.