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The Mighty Goddess Durga

Rs. 85,000
Rs. 85,000
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(Inclusive of Taxes)
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Customizations available
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Details

Artform

Traditional Mata ni Pachedi, Gujrat

Artist

Sanjay Manubhai Chitara

Dimensions

2 x 3 Ft.

Medium

Natural Stone Pigments on Cotton Cloth

Framing

Unframed

Learn More

The Painting

This intricate Mata ni Pachedi artwork is hand-painted by master artist Sanjay Manubhai Chitara. Here Goddess Durga on her Vahana, the lion, dominates at the center while deities and commoners around her are shown worshipping her. The artwork serves a dual purpose as it holds religious significance as historically the textile was used as a temple backdrop for Vaghara tribes who were forbidden to enter temple sanctums by upper caste tribes. Sanjay Manubhai Chitara uses natural colors sourced from tamarind powder, iron rust, jaggery, and indigo, and paints the intricate patterns on cotton cloth using a bamboo stick brush.

The Artform

Mata ni pachedi literally means “behind the Mother Goddess”, and is a cloth that constitutes a temple of the Goddess. When people of the nomadic Vaghari community of Gujarat were barred from entering temples, they made their own shrines with depictions of the Mother Goddess on cloth. The paintings usually have a set pattern, with the Mother Goddess dominating the central area, surrounded by deities and commoners worshipping her with equal reverence. This artform is deeply rooted in the Bhakti movement and Jain culture, tracing its beginnings to the late 17th century. Originally, Mata ni Pachedi served as a religious textile used to depict the goddess Devi, often Durga or Amba, within the sanctified spaces of temples or during festive processions. The artform's dual nature of being both a form of worship and a visually captivating craft lends it a distinctive significance.

The Artist

Born in 1978 Sanjay Manubhai Chitara is part of one of the last surviving families who created the Mata ni Pachedi. He started painting at the age of 15 and learned the technique from his father. His family, who are Devi Puja, (followers of the mother Goddess) trace their association with the art of painting ritual cloth back three centuries. Sanjay Chitara has moved away from the traditional palette of maroon and black made from oxidised iron and palm sugar and experiments with turmeric, henna, and indigo to create a more varied color scheme while still using the age-old methods of extracting color from natural materials. Sanjay has participated in several exhibitions in India and around the world such as Spic Macay, Mumbai, Devi Art Foundation, Delhi, and the Hat Project, UK. He won the Gujarat State Award in 1999 and a National Award in 2000. He is based in Ahmedabad.

Provenance

The painting has been created by Bridge Bharat’s master artist partners. 

Customizations

Want a unique artwork for that wall at home- one that resonates entirely with you? Please use the WhatsApp chat below or email us at aakanksha@bridgebharat.com to discuss your requirements with our team.

Returns and refunds

Returns are not applicable on made-to-order products. We guarantee a replacement of your product in case of any damages.

Shipping and Delivery

"For artworks that are made to order, the time to prepare each piece differs. Our team will inform you about the preparation time. You will receive updates on the behind-the-scenes prep every 4-5 days- we want you to be a part of the creation process.  A ready item will be dispatched within 24 hours of placing the order. The item will be delivered 7-10 days after the product is dispatched. The artwork price is exclusive of shipping charges and insurance. Shipping charges will differ depending on the order size, weight and delivery location. You will be able to calculate shipping charges at checkout.  The artwork price is inclusive of 12% GST  In the event that the product is rejected by our quality check team, you will be informed about the change of delivery date.  "

Other details

The price you see is for an unframed painting. If you want us to custom frame the artwork, please drop us a message. We highly encourage this, framing is an art by itself :) The artwork you will receive is as close to the original artwork as possible but as with all things handmade, there may be minute differences in color and motifs, truly rendering each artwork one of a kind. Trust the process!

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