Aipan is one of the traditional art (painting form) of Kumaon. It has great social, cultural and religious significance. Aipans are known by different names and is in popular in many parts of India with larger variations. It is called Alpana in Bengal, Satiya in Gujrat, Rangoli in Maharashtra, Chowk pooran in UP, Kolam in south India, Madne in Rajasthan, Arichan in Bihar and Bhuggul in Andhra.Ladies use all local and organic colors made of rice power called BISHWAR and GERU (filtered Red Earth powder) for making Aipan in Kumaon Hills. NO artificial colors are used.
In Kumaon aipan are mostly drawn at places of worship, inside the house, main entry of house and in front courtyard. Some of these creations have religious importance and are drawn during certain religious ceremonies or occasions such as marriages, Thread ceremony, naming ceremony etc. However, with the wind of modernization blowing, this art is fast vanishing. The younger generation, born and brought up in cities outside Uttaranchal is not familiar with it.
Traditional Aipan
The traditional aipan of Kumaon are drawn in linear form, geometrical pattern, flowers or imprints. These are mostly drawn for decorative purposes.
Aipan of Door Steps
Doorsteps of the house are decorated with this kind of aipan. These are beautifully designed decorative aipan with great aesthetic value. The door steps are decorated with this type of aipan in combination with ‘Vasudhara’ the vertical lines made by dripping the ‘biswar’ (Rice floor solution made by soaking the rice and then grinding it which is used for drawing aipan).
Vasudhaara
Pooja Vedika, door steps of house, Place of worship, Tulsi (A structure made around the Tulsi Plant) etc. are decorated with vasudhara. Without Vasudhara, Aipan are considered incomplete. These are made by painting the place with ‘Geru’ and thereafter making vertical lines by dripping ‘Bishwar’ . The dripping of ‘biswar' is carried out by Anamika (Ring finger). These are drawn in the blocks ,(consisting of lines in odd numbers like 5, 7, 9 or 11).
Swastik
Swastik has great significance in Aipan. It is drawn in some form or other in most of the religious rituals, as swastik in Hindu mythology represents all Gods and Goddess’, known or unknown. If someone does not have the knowledge of the Aipan to be drawn on a specfic occasion, Swastik is accepted as a substitute. Swastik represents the creation and progress.
Any Aipan without dots are considered incomplete and inauspicious. During drawing the Aipan, one have to take care that the group or block of lines in traditional Aipan should end with the dots.
However Aipan without dots are drawn on the 12th day of some ones death (Peepal Pani or Shanti Path). On third day, these Aipan without dots are removed and fresh aipan with dots are drawn showing end of mourning period.
Astadal Kamal
Lakshmi Padchinha
On Deepawali day, footprints of Goddess Lakshmi are drawn from main entrance of the house to place of worship.Lakshmi Peeth
This aipan is drawn at the place of worship where worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, is performed on Diwali day.
Bhuiyan
Bhuiyan refers to the negative & harmful powers or bad omen. This is drawn on outer side of a ‘Soop’. It is generally an ugly and bad looking sketch of a demon. On the inner side of the ‘soop’ Lakshmi-Naranyan are drawn. On a particular day, this ‘soop’ is beaten with a sugarcane stick in every room and corner of the house. This signifies ousting of bad omen, ill fate or negative powers and welcoming of Lord Vishnu and goddess Lakshmi, the God / Goddess of happiness and prosperity.Inside of SOOP
Outside of SOOP
Dhuliarghya Var Chauka
At the time of Dhuliarghya, the bridegroom is made to stand on the Chauka when introduction and welcome of bridegroom is performed by chanting vedik mantra.
Acharya Chauka
Janeo
Bhadra
Namkarna Chauki
No comments:
Post a Comment