On the bank
of the suyal River near Barechhina in District Almora, two painted
rock-shelters have been discovered. They reveal paintings of animals, Varsha
Vihar, Kaliya Daman & Illustrations of Gita Govinda.
A rich collection of these paintings are displayed in the University
Museum in Srinagar, Garhwal, along with many Art of Aipan humans and also
tectiforms done with fingers in black, red and white colours. There is
circumstantial evidence for regarding the Barechhina paintings as
prehistoric and representing the starting point of art in Kumaon.
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 (Sapfa 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 Dbuliargh 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.
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