Bengaluru is set to host a significant gathering at the intersection of craft, culture, and contemporary design with Colours of Maati, a two-day immersive showcase by MAATI – The Crafts School, taking place on 5–6 June 2026 at the historic Flat Roof Building, SABHA.
Presented by the Mithila Art & Artisan Transformative Initiative (MAATI) and supported by TATA TRUSTS, the exhibition brings the living traditions of the Mithila region of Bihar into dialogue with urban audiences, collectors, and design professionals. Conceptualised as more than a conventional craft exhibition, Colours of Maati positions itself as a critical platform for socio-economic exchange, creative agency, and sustainable futures for artisan communities.
At the heart of this edition is the presence of four women artisans travelling from MAATI’s clusters in Madhubani and Darbhanga to Bengaluru. Their participation marks a deliberate shift toward direct market engagement, enabling artisans to interact with buyers, understand evolving design sensibilities, and assert authorship over their work in real time.
In an era where handcrafted traditions face increasing pressure from industrial production, the showcase reframes Mithila painting as a dynamic and evolving visual language. Rooted in memory, ritual, and identity, the works on display demonstrate how traditional practices can adapt seamlessly to contemporary interiors and everyday contexts without losing their cultural integrity.
The exhibition unfolds across two distinct formats. On 5 June, an invite-only B2B preview will bring together architects, interior designers, hospitality groups, and institutional collectors, fostering opportunities for commissions, sourcing partnerships, and long-term collaborations. On 6 June, the showcase opens to the public, offering Bengaluru’s creative community access to limited-edition works, custom orders, and direct engagement with the artisans and their processes.
MAATI currently supports over 150 artisans across its clusters, working with natural pigments derived from turmeric, indigo, flowers, rice paste, soot, and leaves. The resulting works traverse intricate geometries and narrative compositions, reflecting both continuity and innovation within the Mithila tradition.
Beyond exhibition, the initiative emphasises design mentorship, enterprise development, and sustainable production practices, aiming to reduce artisans’ dependence on intermediaries while strengthening economic resilience. The showcase also highlights MAATI’s expanding engagement with contemporary product design and material exploration, while remaining grounded in the authenticity of regional craft practices.
Set within SABHA’s restored heritage architecture, Colours of Maati creates a spatial and conceptual dialogue between materiality, memory, and modern design. As craft continues to be re-evaluated within global design discourse, the exhibition offers a compelling case for how regional practices, when supported with intention and infrastructure, can shape the future of cultural production in India.
Image creit: Colours of Maati
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