Friday 25 September, 2 - 4 p.m.: Talk, Sacred Threads: Mata Ni Pachedi and the Power of Textile Storytelling by Kirit Chitara

 Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 4a Castletown Road, W14 9HE

Kirit Chitara is an Ahmedabad-based painter and one of the youngest practicing members of a family that has preserved the traditional art form of Mata ni Pachedi for seven generations. Often described as the “Kalamkari of Gujarat”, Mata ni Pachedi is a centuries-old textile tradition in which cloth becomes a sacred space for storytelling. Literally meaning “behind the Mother Goddess”, these painted textiles were traditionally created as temple cloths dedicated to the goddess.

The Chitara family has been practising Mata ni Pachedi for over 300 years, passing the knowledge and techniques from generation to generation. Working from their family workshop in Vasna, Ahmedabad, Kirit and his family continue to create these intricate textiles while collaborating with artists, designers and cultural organisations internationally.

Inspired by his father, Jayentibhai Chitara, a renowned practitioner and teacher, Kirit began learning the craft at a young age. His work combines traditional drawing, natural dyes and symbolic imagery to depict stories from Hindu mythology, with every motif and colour carrying cultural meaning. Alongside his own practice, Kirit teaches at schools and colleges in Ahmedabad and shares the tradition with artists and students around the world, helping ensure Mata ni Pachedi remains a living and evolving art form.

Event Description

In this talk, Kirit Chitara explores the history, process and cultural significance of Mata ni Pachedi — a textile tradition where art, devotion and storytelling come together on cloth.

Kirit will take visitors through the making of these remarkable works, from preparing the fabric and creating intricate hand-drawn compositions to applying natural dyes and building up layers of colour. He will reveal the meanings behind the figures, symbols and narratives that appear throughout the textiles, offering insight into how each piece reflects centuries of belief, craftsmanship and community knowledge.

This special event offers a rare opportunity to discover a living heritage craft directly from one of its contemporary practitioners, exploring how the Chitara family continues to honour tradition while bringing Mata ni Pachedi to new audiences around the world.

Event Cancellation Policy
All bookings are non-refundable. However, if you let us know that you are unable to attend an event you have booked at least two weeks before the event, we will open up your place. If we find another participant, you will be offered a credit note.

Visit The Mata Ni Pachedi Website
Follow Kirit Chitara on Instagram