Revitalizing the Lost Culture of Kumaon

The Aipan Journal unfolds personal accounts of Enactus Members with Project Aipan.

The Aipan Journal

At Enactus IPCW, we work with a group of middle-aged women residing in the Timarpur region of North Delhi, with the aim of reviving their ancient art form Aipan. Aipan is a beautiful form of art hailing from Kumaon district of Uttrakhand. It is made on the floors using white rice against the backdrop of red Geru.

A few tête-à-têtes with these ladies give you an insight into the beautiful cultural heritage that is Kumaon.

Mrs. Manju, who hails from Peepli village in the district of Almora, Kumaon, says that the culture of Kumaon has been fast diminishing. She tells us that she and her husband shifted to Delhi almost a decade back. She misses her village and the beautiful mountains of Uttarakhand, and her life back in Kumaon. Nothing makes her happier than talking about her culture.

A quick glance across her living room tells you that she…

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A Step in Our Journey Towards Aipan

Our Tête à Tête With Aipan Art

The Aipan Journal

On the 10th of April 2015, a few members of the Enactus team visited the target community of Project Aipan in Timarpur, Delhi. As always, we were welcomed with a beautiful Aipan painting at the doorstep. With our faculty advisor Ms. Gunjan Madan accompanying us, the door opened to an enlightening couple of hours which gave us an even deeper insight into the culture of Kumaon.

Aipan Art

On the one hand, Mrs. Asha and Mrs. Manju’s self-invented Aipan designs beautified the red pastel sheets, and on the other, their melodious Kumaoni Music left us all humming to its tunes. Their eyes gleamed with memories and their voices sweetened through their smiling lips whilst they sang their local folk songs.

They also taught us words like ‘Hudung’ which translates to ‘Damru’ in Hindi. They also juxtaposed the presence of the various festivities in the past and the present day.

Mrs…

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Introducing Project Aipan