Aipan - Uttarakhand
Aipan art is a daily practice in some houses, wherein simple designs can do for ordinary days and elaborate designs are prepared on ritual and festive occasions. Some sophisticated designs will take months, even when a group of women working on them. Rice paste, wheat flour, earth and vegetable dyes are used for colours. For the brush, normally hand itself serves the purpose. Tips, fists, and palms are brought into use. If necessary, a stick wound with a small cotton rag is used as a brush. The women manipulate their hands with extraordinary fastness and swiftness.
• The art is practiced near Tulsi (Basil) pot/ platform.
• Near the hollow on the floor which serves as a Mortar.
• At the entrance of the House/doorstep. To welcome the guest with grace and elegance.
• On the walls to decorate the house.
• Inside the Pooja room, these patterns are considered as symbols of good omen, which evoke divine power and bring good fortune to the family.
