AIPAN ART – Red and white glory of Uttarakhand

For many years, I have been doing detailed study of different forms of art, from contemporary to western form, folk art to classical.

These art forms have always been my inspiration for my own art pieces. Each one has its history of origin and a story to tell. These stories have always fascinated me. Our own country India, has rich cultural heritage and each state has its traditional art form, which tells about its local cultural, rituals, lifestyle, etc. There are different folk arts about which we have heard, like Madhubani (Bihar), Gond (Madhya Pradesh), Warli (Maharashtra), Tanjore (Tamil Nadu), Kalighat ( West Bengal).

We have seen motifs of these folk arts in various paintings, fabrics, products, etc.

But there are many such forms, which have not yet reached the mass. One of the such art forms which is very close to my heart as it takes me to the place surrounded with snowcovered mountains, fills my senses with the sweet fragnance of red flowers of Rhododendron (Burash – flower grown in the Himalayan state).

Here I am talking about the ritualistic folk art from Uttarakhand called Aipan

The place Uttarakhand, formerly Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern hemisphere of India. It is a part of Himalayan range that starts form Shivalik foot hills and stretches to the greater Himalayas. It is a beautiful state with a treasure of Arts and Crafts heritage and second to no other state of the country. It has its own individuality in temple architecture, painting, jewelry making, wood carving, candle making, and also in the performing arts like dance and music. The famous crafts here are cultural windows and doors, woolen rugs and carpets, copper utensils, bamboo baskets, and folk art like Aipan taken from the Sanskrit word “Lepana” ( means doing Plaster ).

Aipan derived from word Arpan, meaning dedication, the act of creating an aipan, is associated with fortune and fertility, is akin to making an offering to god. It ia a traditional folk art of Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. The practice of Aipan flourished during the rule of Chand dynasty in Kumaon. It was originated in Almora, and has slowly found its way in many parts of the state.

Technique

The background is prepared with red clay, called geru, and the designs are created with a white paste made from rice flour. For this paste, rice is soaked and grinded into a smooth solution. Traditionally, aipan making is the domain of women, who use it to decorate places of worship, house entrances and front yards. Auspicious occasions are considered incomplete without the drawing of fresh aipan and different motifs are used on specific occasions. Some bring good fortune, others seek blessings from the lord, or pray for fertility. Patterns are often handed down through families, from mother to daughter. One of the most popular is that of holy feet symbolizing Goddess Lakshmi. Other popular patterns include chowki, mandap and kalash, complemented with natural elements like flower, birds and fish. The art comprises lines, dots, and various geometric and rhythmic patterns. Every element and motif has special meaning. The women use their fore, ring and middle finger to draw the patterns. The creation of Aipan begins and ends with a dot. The dot which is placed in the center, symbolizes the center of the universe. From this center, all other lines and patterns emerge which indicates the shifting form of the world around.

Aipan has multiple variations and modifications, known by different names in different states of India. It is Alpana in Bengal, Arichan in Bihar, Bhuggul in Andhra Pradesh, Satiya in Gujrat, Chowk Pooran in Uttar Pradesh, Madne in Rajasthan and Kolam in south India.

In recent years, local artists and entrepreneurs have been using aipan designs on souvenirs for visitors, like cloth bags, wooden trays, handmade paper notebooks, etc., which can be bought at local stores.