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A – AIPAN ART

Posted byPashmeena ChowdharyPosted inuttarakhand,aipan,blogchatterAtoZ,kumaonTags:, , , , ,
Kumaoni words: My respects to the elders and love to the kids.May the aipan made on your doorstep bless you with prosperity for eternity ..Best wishes for Diwali(The festival of lights.)

Welcome to the first day of the #BlogchatterAtoZ challenge!!!!!!

In the course of 26 days, together we will explore some known and unknown facts about Uttarakhand –The Abode of Gods.

So, let us begin…….

Every festivity in India is marked with various forms of auspicious floor decorations.

It has various names and variations in the art forms based on the Indian state it is associated with such as Rangoli,  Bhuggul, Aipan, Satiya, Chowk Pooran etc. These art forms are an immensely important part of the social, religious and cultural fabric.

Today as we launch the #BlogchatterAtoZ challenge -2020 let us begin this delightful occasion with the auspicious Aipan Art –the traditional art form of Uttarakhand, which finds its place in every celebration in Uttarakhand.

‘Aipan’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Arpan,’ which means ‘dedication’ i.e. an offering to the Gods.  

The traditional mixture used for it is ‘geru’ a red colored ochre or filtered red soil used as the background and  ‘biswar’ a paste of raw  rice to draw the particular design using the last three fingers of the hand. The design comprises of lines, dots and various patterns with special meaning for each design.

Designs could vary from representation of Hindu deities, Mountain Gods, Elements of nature and social life.

Each motif displays the amalgamation of cultural, spiritual and social heritage.

Aipan at the door steps:

The floral motifs or some other appropriate design is drawn with combination of ‘Vasudhara’ the vertical lines. They are made by dripping the rice solution using the Anamika i.e. the Ring finger. These are drawn in the groups consisting of lines in odd numbers like 5, 7, 9 or 11.

This type of design with the Vasundhara i.e. the vertical lines are drawn on the doorsteps, place of worship, structure drawn around the Tulsi i.e. (a plant which has great religious significance in India).

Aipan at the doorstep


Pic Courtesy : Dr. Manisha Sanguri Jalal

Swastik Aipan:-

All four arms of the Swastik inspire us to move forward towards success.It is considered an auspicious symbol for worship.It also represents creation and progress. All these group or block of lines in traditional Aipan should end with dots.

Lakshmi Peth:-

This aipan is drawn at the place of worship of Goddess Lakshmi,the goddess of wealth and prosperity, particularly on Deepawali (Festival of lights).

LakshmiPeeth

Lakshmi Padchinha:-  

On Deepawali day, footprints of Goddess Lakshmi are drawn from the main entrance of the house to the  place of worship inside the house.

Astadal Kamal:-

This aipan is drawn at the place where ‘Havan’(Ceremonial fire) is performed. It is an octagonal geometry with lotus petals and a swastik is drawn at the center.

Dhuliarghya Var Chauka:-

The bridegroom is made to stand on the Chauka when introduction and welcome of bridegroom is performed while chanting vedik mantras.

Janeu ceremony:-  

It is drawn at  the place of  ‘Janeo’ or threading ceremony. This drawing has 15 dots in the center. It is also drawn when the ‘Janeo’ is changed on every Raksha Bandhan  every year.(Festival when a sister ties a thread (rakhi) on the wrist of her brother seeking his protection). In this chowki seven stars within a hexagon, form the main section. Here the seven stars represents the “Sapt-Rishis”. Floral designs with dots are drawn around it.

Namkarna Chauki:-

 Namkrana ceremony (naming ceremony)of a newborn is held on the eleventh day. This is the first time when the baby is exposed to the sun (Surya darshan). This is drawn in the courtyard where the ceremony is observed.

AIPAN BEING PREPARED FOR THE AREA OF WORSHIP:-


AIPAN WITHOUT DOTS:-

It is drawn on the 12th day of someone’s death (Peepal Pani or Shanti Path). On the third day of death, these Aipan without dots are removed and fresh aipan with dots are drawn to show end of mourning period.

There are numerous other designs and specific names for motifs drawn for various ceremonies.

Over the years modernization has taken over the traditional art forms and rituals and most of this knowledge is lost.(While collecting information for this blog post I realised this even more) The preparation of Biswar and Geru has been replaced by paint. Aipan stickers are also available now.

The beauty of this traditional art form has been replaced by quick and easy solutions.The awareness and knowledge about the proper technique and role of each line,dot and design is bare minimum in the present generation.

Some individuals as well as organizations are trying to revive this traditional art form as well as generate revenue by creating new and trendy products.(as shown below)

Example, Project Aipan :::: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1cacc_C-_4

(Items like bookmarks,diary covers,nameplates,decorative items etc.)

In this time of lock down why not give wings to your artistic skills. Learn a new art form!!!!

MODERN AND EASY WAY TO MAKE AIPAN:::

Author’s Note:- Information and photographs have been widely sourced from various websites as well as my personal contacts.Please feel free to inform me of any misinformation or any violation.My email id pashmeenachowdhary@gmail.com

References for information and photographs credits :

# This is the first post for #BlogchatterA2Z challenge. My theme is Uttarakhand-The Abode of Gods .

# You may access my theme reveal here::::: https://pashmeenachowdhary.home.blog/2020/03/16/blogchatter-a-to-z-challenge-2020-theme-reveal/

# Do share your links for quick access…Would love to read…. See you around!!!!!

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Published by Pashmeena Chowdhary

May you live in such a way,that others will say,"She is a woman,who though ordinary,somehow stands out and has a beautiful story to tell." 😊 (Daisaku Ikeda)

35 thoughts on “A – AIPAN ART”

  1. wow amazing..this is something new to me..and I have to say that India has such enriched traditions and cultural values. I love all the designs and hats off to you for sharing it with proper details and video.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. Usually I make Rangoli only once a year and that is for Diwali… But being brought up in south India where the “muggu” is very famous… Drawn with just the rice powder… I have a soft corner for these kind of art forms… I have seen these red background forms earlier but did not know the background…. Nice read… Keep posting!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks a lot Ira.Your words about ‘Muggu’ also added to the information about another form of Aipan. India never fails to enthrall. Hope to keep you engaged with my other posts too.See you around.

      Like

      Reply

  4. Loved the post Pashmeena. Aipan is Arpan, wow. So beautiful. I thnk we all have this kind of rangoli tradition in every region of India. We also draw it at any auspicious occasion in house. Loved the way you had your research and represented it. Will be back again here.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. I love to read about local art n traditions. This was so enriching to know about. Will look forward to a deepdive into Uttarakhand in your series.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. Never heard of this form of Rangli. In Maharashtra, we also have the tradition of putting rangoli in front of their door step or open space. later due to flat system, sticker rangolis came into existence. Indian culture is so rich and vibrant that we never fall short of learning.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. I love making rangoli with colours on various auspicious occasions. So it was no wonder when I felt a strong desire to learn the art of making Aipan. I fell in love with the designs and the meaning behind them.
    Very informative Pashmina!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  16. Pingback: H – HARELA – Soulful musings….

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