The womenfolk of Kumaon have played a major role in perpetuating the traditions of folk art. The style of painting is locally known as Aipan. Using their nimble fingers and palms, the Kumaoni women have not only preserved the memories of past events and the styles, designs etc., but also have given expressions to their own ideas and concepts on aesthetic values. During ceremonies and festivals the women set themselves to decorating the floor and walls of their houses with designs and patterns. The floor paintings are usually associated with some ritualistic figures. The floor of the worship room and specially the seat of Gods and Goddesses, are decorated with specific tantric motifs called Peeth. The kitchen walls are painted with animalistic motifs. The entrance doors are done with symbols boding good omen. The material used is the paste of rice mixed with ochre. For the namkaran Sanskar, a ceremony when the child is given a name, the Aipan on the wooden Chauki comprises motifs of sun, moon, bell, conch shell and the utensils used in Puja. In the Janeu (sacred-thread) ceremony initiating a boy of the social rituals, the Aipan shows the zodiacal sign of Great bear (Sapta Rishis) arranged in hexagons. This is to invoke the blessings of the very learned and sagacious Sapta Rishis. In the Byah (Vivaah or marriage) ceremony the Dhuliargh Chauki (wooden seat for the groom) bears a design of big water-jar, symbolising primordial water from which the universe emerged. The upper portion has a crown and at the centre is a motif drawn by four horizontal and bisecting lines making nine squares. This motif is encircled by lotus petals.
Topic
Arts & Crafts