While wandering through the white sands of the Rann of Kutchh, one can often spot the landscape adorned with small, thatched huts featuring shimmering art on their mud walls. This mud art is known as Lippan Kaam or Chittar Kaam, and the circular mud huts are called bhungas. Essentially, this art form involves creating relief work on mud surfaces adorned with mirrors. As mud houses were commonplace, this art served to add layers of protection against termites and rain.
Let's take a look at the materials employed in this traditional art form:
1. Horse Dung: The dung is first sun-dried and then ground with a stone. It is mixed with clay in a ratio of 30-50%, depending on the artist, to serve as a bonding agent.
2. Mud or Clay: In Lippan Kaam, clay serves as the fundamental canvas for creativity. This versatile medium not only provides a sturdy foundation but also readily adheres to the intricate designs and mirrors, allowing artisans to weave their stories through its tactile surface.
3. A Wall: Once the batter is ready, a flat surface, typically a wall, is moistened to facilitate the adherence of the relief mud artwork.
4. Mirrors: In the traditional process, large mirrors were shattered to create smaller pieces, and these resulting small shards were thoughtfully arranged to craft repetitive designs.
After years of evolution, the materials employed in Lippan Kaam have undergone significant changes. As a result, the contemporary materials utilized in the crafting process include:
1. MDF Boards: Lippan Art is now showcased on MDF boards, enhancing the portability of the artwork.
2. Chalk Powder is used as a readily available alternative to clay, simplifying the sourcing process.
3. Newspapers have replaced dung as the bonding agent due to their easy availability and lack of odour.
4. M-Seal Clay or Hardening Clay can also be employed to craft precise cylindrical strips for intricate patterns.
5. Stationery, particularly rulers and pencils, aids in measuring, drawing designs, and creating straight lines.
6. Fevicol SH, when mixed with 50% water, serves as an adhesive to affix the dough to the board.
7. Paints: While Lippan art traditionally featured three earthy colors, contemporary variations incorporate vibrant combinations, utilizing various shades of red, yellow, green, and blue. Waterproof and washable colors enhance its suitability for modern homes.
8. Geometric mirrors, available in circular, triangular, and diamond shapes, are affixed to the board using fabric glue, adding a captivating dimension to the artwork.
Now that you've gained insights into the captivating world of Lippan Art, why not embark on your own creative journey and try crafting this exquisite art form at home?
Here's our Lippan Art Kit, all set for you to embark on your creative journey and experiment with your first creations. Additionally, we offer a Lippan Masterclass led by our star artist, Mitha Bhai, who will guide you through the intricacies and secrets of this exquisite craft.
Get the Lippan art kit.
Editor's Note: The information in this article is drawn from our collaboration with master artist Nalimetha, and it revolves around Lippan Kaam, a traditional art form practiced across diverse communities in Kutch, India. Over time, this art has evolved as artists have explored new materials and techniques. Knowledge of Lippan Kaam has largely been transmitted orally, primarily through elders within these communities, resulting in variations in both techniques and materials used. This list is not exhaustive, and we invite readers who have experimented with different materials or have unique insights to share to contribute in the comments section, as your experiences will further enrich our understanding of this ever-evolving art form.
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