What is Aipan Art?

Aipan art is a ritualistic  art form that originally came from Uttarakhand. This painting is also done on floors, gates, and in puja rooms. It is widely accepted that such an art form invokes divine influence, bringing good fortune and warding off evil. Arpan is a modified version of the word Aipan. “Likhai” is a common term for it. Even though it is a finger pattern. Aipan is the ritual design used in Pujas, cultural events, and ceremonies associated with birth, janeu (threading ceremony), marriage, and death.

There are numerous local differences in the Aipan art form. Aipan painting is the oldest painting style that primarily depicts Jain, Hindu, and Buddhist motifs. The concepts and motifs in Aipan art are inspired by society’s beliefs and numerous aspects of nature.

History of Aipan Art

Since the reign of the Chand ruling family, Aipan art history has traveled a long way from Kumaon. This artistic work is indigenous to Uttarakhand’s Kumaon region. It is thought to have begun during the reign of the Chand ruling family in Kumaon.

It started in Almora and started moving in various directions throughout the state, with the migrants trying to follow in their ways. As of now, we have access to its various forms and modes of presentation throughout the state, but Uttarakhand’s Aipan art remains distinct from others, leaving a mark in all artistic forms.

It differs from other mandala and rangoli designs in that we must consider various color schemes and locations where we can prepare them, whereas Aipan can be easily made on floors or any surface. Second, it only requires two colors to complete. That is, red and white.

Motifs of Aipan

Aipan art is distinct from rangoli, geometric shapes, and other forms of art. It is done more than a red floor or a colored block with a white flour adhesive. Ladies use their fingertips to paint over the red exterior with the paste. You might think it would be difficult to work with, but anyone can sit down and grab the necessary tools to create some stunning designs.

You could indeed draw some simple aipan art and design, a border, and a few geometric patterns in between in a specific pattern. A few dots and line segments can be used because they are simple and can be done by anybody, or you can utilize the same pattern all over the surface.

Traditional Method

Uttarakhand Aipan structure has a distinct identity because it is done on empty wall surfaces and on the floor, which represents wealth and fertility. It is art made of ochre, muddy colors used in mud residences, its base color is geru, which would be painted and dried thoroughly.

The uncooked rice is soaked in water before being ground into a paste. To use this paste and dipping fingertips like a brush, a drawing is created on it with the helpful hints of the middle, and pinky fingers all secured together. It could depict a god and goddess, a geometric design, a structure, a cultural representation, or a religious symbol. However, these new structures were not always present; the Aipan began as a simple pattern of dots as well as lines.

The dots represent the known universe center, and the lines that emerge from them represent the world around them. Something similar in nature to rocket science, but profound and meaningful.

Conclusion

However, it is not simple to be creative and work accurately on certain items. But this art seems to be something you require, and it requires you as well. Because ‘painting does not exist without an artist, and art does not exist without an artist.’ Its distinctive designs and patterns draw people’s attention and pique their interest in learning more about it, its significance, how it came to be identified, why it is so well-known, what distinguishes it from other forms of art, and how easily it can be worked on.

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