Mottainai Art Print

Mottainai literally translates to ‘too good to waste’. It is an eco-friendly practice that encourages finding ways to repurpose objects otherwise considered as waste by recognising their intrinsic value. The Indian art of making godhadis (quilts) with old sarees is one such example. The sustainable art of Godhadi making has been traditionally practiced in Maharashtra by rural women. They collect old sarees, clothes, scrap pieces of cloth, threads, etc. and sew them together to make beautiful quilts, giving new life to textiles otherwise considered as waste. The concept of Mottainai teaches us to not just treat objects well but to value them out of respect. For instance, valuing a water bottle or a dress not simply because of its utilitarian characteristics but also out of reverence for it. This digital illustration was made as part of the Ikigai series by The Phoenix Company. The series features 12 Japanese concepts of life seen through an Indian artist’s lens. Through thought-provoking illustrations, the series seeks to capture the depth of these concepts in a simple yet perceptive way. Colour: It is a multicolour print. It is borderless and plain on the reverse. Size: It i