Design Resource
Aipan - Uttarakhand
Ritual Floor Painting
by
Significance of Art
Aipan art is a daily practice in some houses, wherein simple design 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 colors. For the brush, normally hand itself serves the purpose. Tips, fist, palm 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 extra-ordinary 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/door step. To welcome the guest with grace and elegance.
• On the walls to decorate the house.
• Inside the Pooja room, because these patterns are considered as symbols of good omen, which evoke divine power and brings good fortune for the family.
