THE CRAFT
Aipan Painting
From the state of Uttarakhand
Kumaon, Uttarakhand
Aipan, the ritualistic folk art from Kumaon, graces the floors, walls and doorsteps of Uttarakhand homes. Originally from Almora, Aipan art became popular during the Chand dynasty and spread to nearby regions over the years.
Aipan folk art is believed to bring good fortune and ward off evil, and paintings are offered to deities during auspicious festivals. Sometimes, these paintings are also used to honour important milestones in life.
Aipan folk art is believed to bring good fortune and ward off evil, and paintings are offered to deities during auspicious festivals. Sometimes, these paintings are also used to honour important milestones in life.
Heritage Value
The women of the Kumaon community have preserved the legacy of this art form for generations.
Aipan paintings are freshly made early in the day. The artist first creates a smooth layer with geru, a local red-ochre mud. Intricate designs are added on top of the layer using a paste of cooked rice called bisvar. The artist draws patterns from memory and uses only three fingers to tell their story on the geru, beginning and ending the design with a bindu (dot). No Aipan painting is complete without the bindu.
The designs in Aipan paintings reflect the cultural, religious and social fabric of the Kumaon region. Aipan styles vary depending on occasions, festivals, and deities. Even different areas of a Kumaon home will have beautiful variations in Aipan art.
Now, Aipan art has been certified with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag and is recognized as a treasure of Uttarakhand.
Aipan paintings are freshly made early in the day. The artist first creates a smooth layer with geru, a local red-ochre mud. Intricate designs are added on top of the layer using a paste of cooked rice called bisvar. The artist draws patterns from memory and uses only three fingers to tell their story on the geru, beginning and ending the design with a bindu (dot). No Aipan painting is complete without the bindu.
The designs in Aipan paintings reflect the cultural, religious and social fabric of the Kumaon region. Aipan styles vary depending on occasions, festivals, and deities. Even different areas of a Kumaon home will have beautiful variations in Aipan art.
Now, Aipan art has been certified with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag and is recognized as a treasure of Uttarakhand.
Memory Vault
Modern artists are finding new and innovative ways to introduce Aipan art into their work. Some artists are using Aipan designs to create fashion and home decor items. Others are using Aipan art to illustrate books and create public art installations.
In 2015, acclaimed Aipan artist Namita Tiwari founded “Cheli Aipan” to rediscover and expand the canvas of Aipan paintings. Now, saris, stationery, and various other artefacts are painted in Aipan style. The cooperative also empowers young Kumaon women with employment opportunites.
In 2019, Minakshi Khati from Nainital launched "Minakriti: The Aipan Project" to safeguard and popularise the folk art. She is fondly known as the "Aipan Girl".
In 2015, acclaimed Aipan artist Namita Tiwari founded “Cheli Aipan” to rediscover and expand the canvas of Aipan paintings. Now, saris, stationery, and various other artefacts are painted in Aipan style. The cooperative also empowers young Kumaon women with employment opportunites.
In 2019, Minakshi Khati from Nainital launched "Minakriti: The Aipan Project" to safeguard and popularise the folk art. She is fondly known as the "Aipan Girl".
Disclaimer:
Any information on this page is anecdotal and based on publicly
available details. If you're interested in learning more,
click here.
