Indian Art: Lippan Work(Gujarat & Rajasthan Art)

Today I'm sharing with you is a decorative art form of western India. Lippan Kaam, Mud Relief Work or Mud Mirror Work is done inside huts in Kutch in Gujarat.  Lippan work is done mainly by women of Rabari community of Kutch. Women are so expert that they don't even trace or draw motif on wall.
The mud is prepared  by mixing clay with camel dung(as a binding agent as it contains fibers) and then kneaded with water. Glue is used to stick mirrors of different sizes and shapes like triangle, diamond, round and sometimes embroidered mirrors.
Work is usually done inside the huts called bhungas. These huts are made of mud and are known to be earth quack resistant.
If you want to explore more about this art click here. It's a very informative and interesting article.

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Soon I am going to do this lippan work in my home too (lots of incomplete project in a queue though). It looks so ethnic. and Indian. I totally love this work.

Have a wonderful weeekend and stay creative freinds!!

Linking it to Show And Tell Friday @ MyRomanticHome

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Indian Art: Dhokra Art (Eastern and Central India)

Dhokra also known as the Dokra art form is very ancient indian art form dated back to 4000-5000 yrs. The art form originated from the Bastar in Chhattisgarh(India).Name Dhokra is derived from the tribes(Dokra) who are  metal workers of tribal community in Bastar. The tribe extends from Jharkhand to West Bengal and Orissa.

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Process of making Dokra art piece is even more interesting. Dhokra metal crafts follow the traditional method of lost or vanishing wax technique. First the clay core is designed  and then is layered by wax, resin and nut oil. Wax is then carved and every fine detail is given again this is covered by clay it works as a mould for metal art piece. Clay is then cooked and wax comes out from the drain ducts. Molten metal (that is mainly brass and bronze scraps) is poured inside the mould. After the metal has taken shape and as cooled down, outer clay layer is chipped off. Metal art piece is then polished and finished. Thus this method has a big disadvantage that mould can be used only once and hence two art pieces will not be exactly the same.....interesting isn't it!!
Inspiration is from environment, trees, birds, animals and rituals also.

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Intricate design and every fine detail on each article holds its unique and distinct identity. This art form is indeed the most beautiful art form among ancient Indian arts.

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Indian Art: Gond Art (Madhya Pradesh)

Starting today a very new and interesting series of different forms of art from India and around the world. I have always been fascinated by various art forms. I chose to start with Madhya Pradesh's art beacause this state is known as  'Heart of India' and the fact that I hails from this very state and I truely love everything about MP. Today I am showcasing Gond Art of MP.

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Gond Tribal Painting is done by Gondi people who live in parts of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh & Orissa. However, majority of the artists who paint in this style come from a village called Patangarh in the Mandla District of Madhya Pradesh. Patangarh is a place where a seventeen years old boy Jangarh Singh Shyam used to decorate his hut's wall using dots, lines and bold colours. Late painter J.Swaminathan introduced this young artist to the world. More on Gond Tribal Art you can find here and here

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Gond paintings are usually done on mud walls. Artist uses colors derived from charcoal, soil, plant sap, leaves and even cow dung.......interesting isn't it and this painting can lasts upto 15-20 years. Theme of Gond  

painting depicts day-to-day life.Gond tribal paintings are not just mere decorations, but also the expressions of their religious sentiments, devotions and their perception of life.

I found this form of art very very interesting and going to give it a try soon. What do you think about this art and artists....leave me a sweet note I would love to hear from you.

    

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