These eight feet long masterpiece Mata Ni Pachedi of Vahanvati Mata with its traditional iconography and profusion of red on the canvas is a classic example of the rich technique of the Chitaras- the generational artists of Gujarat who have preserved this beautiful artform for centuries.
The central image of the painting is Vahanvati Mata- the guardian of traders and travelers who take long journeys from the sea. The goddess sits under a dome-shaped structure and canopy, with triangular pillars and a boat for her platform.
The rich red hue that catches the eyes of the canvas is a traditional element of Mata Ni Pachedi, a symbol of Mother Earth and the life-giving qualities of blood. The cotton canvas is first treated by the artists and then covered in beautiful patterns using brushes and block prints. The next step is filling color in the images and patterns.
The deep red is obtained from alum and tamarind seed powder mixed together. As a liquid solution, the mixture appears yellow due to a yellow color added to the mix making it easy for the artist to see the color. The cloth after washing and drying is treated in a mix of alizarin and Dhawada flowers, boiled in water, which reveals a lovely red tint on the canvas. The finished Mata Ni Pachedi becomes a moving shrine for the Vagharis, who worship the goddess, narrate her valor and powers, and celebrate their festivals through the iconography of this artwork.
The symbolism of colors and motifs in this art form is unparalleled, with each subject rooted in the culture of the Vagharis and each color depicting a virtue of the goddess and the wish of the devotee. The serene blue that surrounds this magnificent cotton canvas, for example, is a symbol of water and the ocean, over which Vahanvati Mata has supreme sovereignty.
Painted as moving shrines, Mata Ni Pachedi served as a focal point of Vaghari ritual tradition and culture, who gather around these several feet long scrolls during major festivals, to listen to the legends of their goddesses and feel a sense of togetherness, a group tied with the threads of stories.
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