Mata ni Pachedi

Origin and Cultural Significance

Mata ni Pachedi, meaning "behind the Mother Goddess", originated over 300 years ago in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. This sacred art form was born out of exclusion—when the Vaghari community, a nomadic tribal group, was barred from entering temples, they created their own portable shrines. They began painting images of their deities, especially Mata (Goddess Durga and her forms), on fabric to worship during festivals and rituals. The cloth was hung behind or around the deity’s idol, forming a shrine-like backdrop, hence the name Pachedi. It continues to be deeply spiritual, with paintings created for ceremonies like Navratri, childbirth, marriages, and funerals.

Technique and Materials

Traditionally, Mata ni Pachedi is made using handloom cotton cloth, natural dyes, and wooden blocks, although hand-painting is also a significant part of the process. The cloth is first treated with harada (myrobalan) for dye absorption, followed by outlines in black using iron rust solution, and filled with red from alizarin and vegetable-based dyes for other colors like yellow and green. The artwork is a mix of block printing and freehand painting, with immense attention to detail. Every cloth undergoes multiple washes and sun-drying between dyeing stages to achieve long-lasting vibrancy.

Visual Language and Themes

The central figure in a Pachedi is usually Mata (the Goddess), often depicted with multiple arms holding weapons and riding a lion or tiger. She is surrounded by narrative panels showing tales of good versus evil, village scenes, rituals, and tribal life. The composition follows a temple layout: the deity occupies the sanctum (center), flanked by devotees, musicians, animals, celestial beings, and sometimes mythological stories. Borders are adorned with intricate floral or geometric motifs. The artwork serves both a devotional and didactic purpose, preserving folklore and passing on oral traditions visually.

Preservation and Contemporary Adaptation

Recognized with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, Mata ni Pachedi continues to be practiced mainly by Chitara families—the lineage of original artisans, especially in Khanpur and Vasna areas of Ahmedabad. With efforts by organizations and individual artists like Vijaybhai Chitara, the art has been showcased at national and international levels. Today, it is adapted into wall hangings, garments, stoles, and home decor. While staying true to ritualistic roots, younger artisans have begun exploring new themes, color palettes, and formats, ensuring that Mata ni Pachedi remains a living tradition that bridges the sacred and the artistic.