“My quest for reviving lost art landed me at Chittara art of Karnataka’s Malnad region which happens to be my native.”: Nanditha TM.
With over a decade of experience in the fast-paced fashion industry, Nanditha TM transitioned from modern design trends to her true calling: the preservation of India’s deeply rooted heritage arts. Born in Shivamogga, Karnataka, Nanditha grew up surrounded by the rich cultural landscapes of the Malnad region. Her lifelong fascination with indigenous art forms eventually led her back to her roots, where she discovered the intricate beauty of Chittara art—a traditional practice native to her own homeland.
Driven by a passion to keep this heritage alive, Nanditha has dedicated the last eight years to the active revival, documentation, and promotion of this rare and endangered folk art. By bridging her extensive background in fashion with traditional craftsmanship, she works closely with indigenous practices to create sustainable awareness, ensuring that the voice of the Malnad region continues to resonate in the contemporary world..
About the Art:
Hase Chittara is an ancient, highly structured geometric folk art native to the Deevaru community of Malnad, Karnataka. Traditionally painted on the red mud walls of village homes using natural pigments like rice paste and red clay, these intricate murals depict stories of nature, fertility, and daily life. Today, it stands as a beautiful yet vulnerable symbol of rural heritage that demands urgent preservation.