The Gonds and Bhils are two major tribal communities of Central India, The Bhil tribe is largely found

This Mela was a boost for his career in painting. He also participated in mela Shantiniketan. He is a recipient of West Bengal State Award for Kalighat painting.

MATA NI PACHEDI- JAGDISH CHITARA

Jagdish Chitara, the 48-year-old artist belongs to a traditional nomadic group of artisans known as Waghari. The Waghari people are poor and marginalised community. They would moved around the banks of the Sabarmati River in Gujarat, and made a ritual fabric for the Mother Goddess called Mata Ni Pachedi – the fabric of the mother– this fabric was washed in the river waters, Bhil painting and painted, then painstakingly dyed with natural pigments. The beautiful swathes of cloth were used not only as offerings but also draped to form a temporary shrine for the Goddess.

Although the Waghari’s way of life has changed today – many of them, like Jagdish, now live in towns and cities- they still create the traditional sacred cloth.The colours used are blood red (alizarin)black (ferrous black)and white.The ritual function of the Mata Ni Pachedi continues to exist. Jagdish, who learnt his ancestral craft from his father, strings up his textile art for sale on a pavement in the city of Ahmedabad, where he lives. He has participated in many exhibitions held all over India.