Sanjay Chitara

Hailing from one of the few remaining families preserving the art of painting the Mata ni Pachedi, Sanjay Chitara started learning this art form at the age of 15. Sanjay's family, identified as Devi Pujaks, have been associated with this traditional art form for over three centuries. While embracing the roots of his craft, Sanjay has departed from the traditional maroon and black palette made from oxidized iron and palm sugar. Hence, he explores the use of turmeric, henna, and indigo to introduce a more diverse color scheme, all while adhering to the age-old methods of extracting colors from natural materials. Sanjay describes his artistic evolution as a means to connect with urban art lovers outside his community. Using only a frayed bamboo reed to paint on the traditional maader paat (unbleached handwoven cloth), Sanjay meticulously creates original figures with intricate details. Throughout his career, Sanjay and his family have received numerous accolades, including the National Award in 2000 for Sanjay, in 2001 for his brother Vasant, and jointly for their parents Manubhai Chunilal and Manjuben Manubhai in 2004. They have also been recipients of several state honors. With his global presence, Sanjay has participated in exhibitions such as Spic Macay in Mumbai, Devi Art Foundation in Delhi, and the Hat Project in the UK. Moreover, Sanjay's artwork has been auctioned multiple times, fetching prices ranging from 163 USD to 1,051 USD. Sanjay Chitara stands out as an innovative artist, constantly introducing new colors, and experimenting with different styles, narratives, and artistic forms.

Major Awards Received Gujarat State Award 1999 National Award 2000.