| Aipen or Alpana is a folk art practiced by women of Kumaon since ancient times to decorate the Doors (Daili), Place of Gods, Chauki and Ceremonial Spots with the help of lines, dots and curves. Different drawings and figures are drawn according to canvas and occasion. Basudhara, Swastik, Puja Chuki, Saraswati Peeth, Laxami Peeth, Vishnu Peeth, Shiv Peeth, Shiv-Shakti Peeth are some form of Aipen. Aipen decoration is first step towards any ceremoney. |
During Depawali, special decorations are made and inward imprints of foot steps of Laxami (Goddess of waelth) are made to guide her into the house. |
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Locally available red soil and grinded liquid rice are the only two ingredients used to create beautiful drawings and figures. The drawings have to conform to the strict syntax, rules and discipline. The perfection of these drawings drawn with bare fingers (generally the little finger) can be a point of envy for users of CorelDraw Software. This folk art is handed over by mothers to daughters with out any formal training. The womenfolk of Kumaon are practicing such artistic jobs regularly and religiously since generations without expectation for any remuneration , fame and without any patronage and encouragement from any quarter. Bindu Aipen, Jyonti Pattas, Thape, Dikara are also other forms of Alpna which are painted on different occasions
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Travelogue