Vahanvati Mata and the Divine Pantheon
Details
Artform
Mata Ni Pachedi, Gujrat
Artist
Akshay Dilip Chitara
Dimensions
36x72 Inches
Medium
Natural Pigment colors on Cloth
Framing
Unframed
Learn More
The Painting
In this stunningly vibrant painting, artist Akshay Dilip Chitara, depicts several goddesses as well as other divine beings surrounding the central figure of Meldi Mata. The goddess is identifiable by her vahan a black goat that she rides in a warrior like pose. At the bottom of the composition lie two intricately rendered crocodiles that are dense with patternsing. The vibrant background is also brimming with fellow gods and goddesses who seem to be watching the proceedings,
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 1996, Akshay Dilip Chitara hails from a rich artistic lineage spanning seven generations practicing Mata ni Pachedi. He began learning the form at the age of seven, under the guidance of his esteemed father, Dilip Chitara, a distinguished State Awardee. Apart from him and his father, his mother Joshna Ben Chitara, and wife, Kailash Chitara also produce Mata ni Pachedi. He has been exhibited on various platforms such as ‘Craft Village’ and ‘Craftroot’, and has conducted workshops at institutions like Parul University.
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! "