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

Mata ni Pachedi: Jagdish Chitara's art projects (2017)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

Playing cards

The versatility of Jagdish Chittara's skills enables him to span over a range of products, from the traditional sacred textile used for worshipping to books and playing cards for a clientèle far removed from the historical context of the art.

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.

Mata ni Pachedi: The art form on the tile (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

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

Credits: Story

Text: Aloka Hiremath, Jaya Jaitly
Photography: Suleiman Merchant
Artisans: Jagdish Chittara, Sanjay Chittara
Ground Facilitator: Aloka Hiremath
Documentary Video: Suleiman Merchant
Curation: Aradhana Nagpal

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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