Upcoming Events
21 November '25
State Art Gallery, Hyderabad
Panel Discussion - Visual Storytelling as Cultural Archive: Documenting Rural Art and Intangible Heritage
30 November '25
New Acropolis, Bangalore
Book talk and Chittara workshop. More details coming soon...
6-7 December '25
Bangalore Literature Festival
More details coming soon...
22-25 January '26
Kerala Literature Festival
Talk, Exhibition, Chittara workshop and sale of Chittara products. More details coming soon...
6-7 February '26
Janapada Loka
More details coming soon...
"This documentation celebrates women’s art, Chittara, the geometric wall painting unique to the forested Malenadu (Malnad) region. It evocatively captures the aesthetic sensibility of the Deevaru community, reflected in their social customs and festivals which venerate nature."
- Aditi Ranjan
Co-editor of Handmade in India, a compendium of crafts of India
In the Press
Testimonials
"Fabulous work, CFRIA! To showcase this beautiful indigenous art form to the world is a great service. This documentation ensures respect for the Deevaru community’s role in preserving nature. We need more people like Geetha Bhat whose selfless work brings these indigenous art forms to the public."
- Pavithra Muddaya
Textile Revivalist & Chief Curator - Vimor Museum of Living Textiles
"The book is a testament to a community's culture, art and stories representing their deep reverence and connection with nature. Rather than seeking patronage, it celebrates the community's inherent talents and traditions. From tattoos that tell stories to the sacred significance of water in their daily lives, the book possesses encyclopedic knowledge about the community.
The culmination of two decades of dedication, this book is a heartfelt tribute to the resilient spirit of Chittara and a joyous celebration of Deevara's cultural identity."
- Ms. Abiraami
"What a fantastic team! Your book should win an award, it’s amazing as I browse!
It’s like a journey into a dream world…"
- Mr. Aslam Sait