Travelers, trekkers and tourists visiting the beautiful mountains of the Kumaon region in Uttarakhand are captivated by the beautiful and intricate art forms of the region. Folk art, folk songs and folk dances are an integral part of the people in Kumaon and one such popular art forms of the region is ‘aipan’. While strolling in the lanes of villages in Pittoragarh one can witness walls, pieces of cloth and paper adorned by this art form, where simple raw materials are used to create intricate and mesmerizing designs.
Also known as ‘aepan’ or ‘alpana’, this form of art has a special importance in the Kumaoni culture. The name ‘aipan’ has been derived from the Hindi word ‘arpan’ (means to give or given). It is a form of painting or pattern making, and is usually for decorative purposes. The locals, mostly women draw a variety of patterns, which includes different kinds of geometric shapes, forms of gods and goddesses, flowers, birds and other forms of nature etc. Usually these patterns are drawn on occasions like pujas (religious rituals) or ceremonies like birth, weddings, marriage and death. Though they are mostly drawn on walls and floors but sometimes the locals also draw them on papers, pieces of cloth and ‘dupattas’ (a scarf or stole worn by women).
The process of making the aipan is very simple. Ochre or ‘geru’ color and rice paste is prepared and different patterns are drawn with the help of the last three fingers of the hand. Sometimes ‘chowkies’ (a small low table) are made and patterns are drawn on them while ‘thapas’ and ‘pattas’ are painted directly on the surface. Traditionally the dyes were made from natural products but these days’ oil paints and poster colors are also used. There are certain specific patterns and designs for specific occasions. Some of the different patterns are:
Sarawati Chowki – In the Hindu culture, Saraswati is the goddess of wisdom and learning. Saraswati puja is held when a child begins his/her formal education. The characteristic feature of the Saraswati Chowki is the five-pointed star, which has a lamp or a ‘swastik’ (a Hindu auspicious symbol) design in the middle. The artists usually draw other designs around this central design.
Shiv or the Shivarchan Peeth – In the Himalayan region, Lord Shiva is the main God and is especially worshipped in the month of ‘Magh’ (a Hindu month from mid February to mid March). During the puja a Shivarchan Peeth is made, a design that has eight corners and twelve dots joined by twelve lines. To make the design attractive, an outline border is also drawn.
Dhuli Arghya Chowki – In Uttarakhand when the cows return back from grazing during twilight, the time is known as ‘godhuli vela’; the name derived by the dust which rises from the cattle’s hooves. In the early days, during wedding ceremonies the bridegroom along with his entourage used to arrive at the bride’s place during that time. They usually walked and as a result their feet were covered with dust. Therefore, before the ceremony began, the feet of the groom are washed for which the groom has to stand on a chowki or a stool, which is beautifully decorated. The design has a tree-like figure that has three branches representing Lord Shiva’s trident. The design also has Brahma and Lord Vishnu with a lotus at the base and parrots on the sides. All the different elements in the paintings are good omens and are supposed to bring good luck.
Durga Thapa – This kind of aipan is drawn on paper, twice a year, once during the ‘Navratris’ and ‘Dussehra’ (Hindu festivals) and once in the months of March and April. The Durga Thapa is a very complex and elaborate painting. The painting not only includes the goddess Durga along with other gods and goddesses but also many local deities. Auspicious symbols like the conch, lamp, swastika, tulsi, and grains are also drawn along with the eight-petal lotus in a circle, which holds a special importance in the Durga Puja.
Lakshmi Yantra – During the festival of Diwali, Lakshmi puja takes place and the location where the Lakshmi idol will be kept or the goddess’s seat is decorated. A flower or a dot is drawn in the centre, which represents the whole universe. This is enclosed within a star with six points and is made by drawing two triangles. The upper one representing Shiva and the lower one is represented by Shakti. Outside the triangle six to eight lotuses are drawn, sometimes another outer circle consisting of sixteen circles is also drawn. The lotuses supposedly represent wealth, moon, stars and the home. Other designs are also drawn around the center piece, and at different points Lakshmi footprints are drawn. The whole painting is surrounded on the four sides by lines called ‘bhupur’ which signifies doors.
Jyoti Patta – Jyoti Patta or ‘Jyoontis’ are like murals painted on the walls, they are usually drawn during weddings or sacred thread ceremonies. ‘Jyoonti’ actually means the ‘Jeev Matrikas’ i.e. goddess Lakshmi, Kali and Saraswati. The Kumaoni people have worshipped them from the ancient times. A specific pattern is followed while drawing them. The first line drawn represents the great Himalayas after which several lines of geometric designs and floral patterns are drawn. In one of the panels, two lotuses are drawn on either side along with a tree that is supposed to represent the mythical ‘Kalpabriksha’. It is believed that Bramha, Vishnu, Shiva and Parvati reside in different parts of the tree. Two parrots drawn below the tree symbolizes luck while images of Ganesha, Radha and Krishna or figures of bride and groom are drawn to decorate the center. The most important panel is one with the images of the three Jeev Matrikas along with faces of goddess Anyari and Ujyari.
Some of the other kinds of aipans are ‘Acharya Chowki’, ‘Asan Chowki’, ‘Janeyu Chowki’, ‘Surya Darshan Chowki’, ‘Nav Durga Chowki’ and ‘Chamunda Hast Chowki’. These magnificent art forms have existed in Kumaon for centuries and have been passed on from generations. Changing architectural preferences and the lack of interest among youth to learn this traditional art poses a threat to its survival. |
