Mata Ni Pachedi

Introduction: –

This unique art is a handmade textile of Gujarat and is meant for offering to goddess shrines where the mother goddess resides. The name is derived from the Gujarati words -Matey which means Mother goddess. Ni means -belonging to and packed means practices goddess here form the central figure in design.

Usage –

Mata ni Pachedi is used for hanging in temples in which goddess is enshrined. These ritualistic hangings serve the purpose of depicting epic of goddess as well temporary shrines. They are also being used in home as wall hangings.

Significance – Their significance as follows –

The community in Gujarat had unique beliefs in origin, diet, religion and other ethnics groups which belong to that religion. The difference led to restrictive social practices as other ethnic groups. The community was not allowed entry into temples. To avoid this problem, community came out with solution. ·       

• Painted image of goddess on piece of cloth·       
• Hang the painting and directed their workshop at the painting·       
• This practice started, and painted textile is known as Matey NI Pachedi.   
• There is no place for this selective destruction.
• There has historical evidence for the craft which goes for five hundred years.
• This art was crafted by nomadic tribes and rural communities of Gujarat. 
• They worship various incarnations of Mata or Devi Shakti which is executed by a nomadic community. Communities of Weighs. They gradually are settled on the outskirts of towns or villages as they are shifted from a nomadic stage to a fixed state. These fabrics served as backgrounds in shrines.
• There are 2 colors brought used +maroon and black with the surface of the material in the third color.

Design– 

• The design are as follows
• Practicing the worship and art form for 300- 400 years. ·       
• Individuals used wooden sticks for drawing their own Mata ni Pachedi
• Clay blocks are created for ease of replication·
• Apply mineral dyes for cloth·       
• The material was coarse and the print become diffuse over subsequent uses·       
• Replaced by wood blocks which last longer but allowed for sharper drawings. ·       
• Wooden blocks are used to make Matey ni Pachedi      
• Production of hand-drawn pachedi continued.
• Hand made punched is Labours intensive, expensive than block printed.
• Mata ni Pachedi is placed in the center and elements are surrounded to the goddess
• The themes are influenced by Goddess, epics, myths and traditions and worshipers etc.
• The important characters like Shiva, Parvati, Panihari and mythological characters play an important role. Pachedi has decorative elements like borders, flowers and trees.

Challenges –

• Poor infrastructure and work facilities led to a deduction in the production of panchedi production. ·
• Most activities are outsourced·       
• Artists depend on natural lighting·       
• If the light source is weak, it affects the drying which in turn gives uneven color.
• Manufacturing of new blocks proved to be expensive and the quality of craftsmanship has decreased drastically.