Motifs of Lippan Art

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By Arushi Mishra

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    Lippan art, also known as the mud mirror art of Gujarat is a traditional art form which incorporates the creative use of mirrors coupled with mud on the walls of the houses of people. The term ‘lippan’ translates to ‘to apply’. In the arid regions of Kutch in Gujarat, this art is often seen evoked in the native people’s homes and walls. The mud is traditionally made out of wild ass dung or millet husk, while today the artists use chalk powder mixed with water. This dough  is applied stylistically on the  walls and later embellished with small mirrors cut in various shapes. 

    Lippan art harbours a strong nomadic influence, which has been an important part of the culture in the Kutch region. The Rabari and Ahir communities of the region are often known for their nomadic culture and traditions. This includes the use of mirrors with such designs made of mud. 

    Mirrors are generally considered sacred and known for dispelling evil energies from one’s homes, in most of the native communities of Kutch. The mirrors also add to the ethereal look of the Lippan art. Part of the reason why mirrors are used in this form of art is also to spread light into one’s homes through reflection as this art is primarily done indoors as well as outdoors. Lippan also acts as an active insulator, keeping the indoors neutral irrespective of the harsh heat during the day and extreme cold conditions during the night. 

    Typically, women are known to have carried out this artistic work, however, in the modern times, men of the native communities  have also taken to this creative expression. Practising this art form in recent times is also a form of preservation of the traditional art form of the region and its flamboyant culture. 

    Lippan is practised by different communities such as the Rabaris, Maheshwaris and Mutwas in the region. While it would look the same to a layman, each community has certain characteristics that would differentiate their work. It is interesting to note that Lippan as an art is also practised in the bordering region of Gujarat, Pakistan. This article will talk about motifs in Lippan art primarily done by the Mutwa community, present in the Kutch region. 

    Lippan art inspired by Mutwa embroidery

    The Mutwa community of Kutch is well known for the vibrant embroidery with colourful threads, tiny and intricate stitching patterns, as well as  mirrors on textiles. Originally Mica was used in place of the present-day common practice of using mirrors. It is a Muslim community which originated from Sindh-Pakistan but migrated to the desert region of Kutch, in Gujarat. It is a highly prized piece of clothing with beautiful traditional patterns made with colourful threads and mirrors. 

    Almost every woman of the Mutwa community practises the art of their fascinating embroidery. Many designs of this embroidery are inspired by the desert-grassland habitation around the Kutch “Banni”. 

    This is enchantingly expressed on the walls of people’s homes, in the form of Lippan art. 

    Apart from the other communities that practise the art of Lippan, Mutwa community’s Lippan artistry is different in the sense that it only represents things that are non-living in nature, except for a few flowers. The depiction of living things also goes against the religious teaching of Islam. 

    Listed below are some of the important motifs that recur in this form of Lippan art:

    Machi Kanado 

    Machi Kanado pattern

     

    Elegant Dynamics: Lippan Kaam Artwork by Nalemitha 

     

    The name of this motif literally translates to fish bone and scales. It is generally a pattern that is used for borders. As the Mutwa Lippan art is highly influenced by the natural elements around the Mutwa community, fish too is a part of their natural surroundings as the Kutch region is close to the Arabian Sea and the Rann of Kutch grassland. This, however, takes a geometric form when being translated on the mud walls for Lippan art. 

    Pako

    Pako Booti (Design inspired by Pako motif)

     

    Framework of Beauty – A Lippan Tapestry by Majikhan

     

    This motif is inspired by the Mutwa embroidery done on cloth where tiny chain stitches are used to outline the designs and are then filled with vibrant colours and mirrors. A combination of an elaborate chain stitch is called Pako. This embroidery is often copied in Lippan art, and embellished with beautiful mirror work to give beautiful patterns made from this design. There are many more variations to this simple design which are also incorporated in Lippan art. 

    Katri

     

    Katri motif

     

    Symphony of Shapes: Alluring Complexity by Majikhan

     

    This motif is a recurrent one and is also inspired by the Mutwa embroidery done on cloth. It is derived from the subcategory of kachcho embroidery which essentially means a fragile and intricate way of stitching and making patterns. This is interpreted in Lippan art as intricate geometric patterns that are decorated with mirrors and mud. These are either made in a single line or even made in traditional shapes. 

    Bhori

    Bhori motif

     

    Exquisite Tapestry: Lippan Kaam Wonder by Nalemitha

     

    This motif is inspired by the bhori flowers that are abundantly available in the landscape of Kutch. In the arid regions of Kutch, in Gujarat, there is generally a scarcity of water, and the bhori indigenous flowers are the only type of flowers that grow in abundance here. Bhori is also known in the Kutch region as the flowery pattern generally worn by the womenfolk of the region. These make for beautiful designs with mirror work on the walls of the native people of the region. 

    Ikka or Ace 

     Ace motif

     

    Flora in White Mud – A Decorative Artwork by Majikhan

     

    Also known as ikka in the local language of the Kutch region, this motif of the ace is often used in the Lippan art to decorate. It is generally stylised in a slightly traditional way with additional designs on it. 

    Chopad

    Chopad motif

     

    Brown Mirror work Lippan Kaam by Nalemitha

     

    Chopad motifs are the most beautiful designs in Lippan art. This is derived from the Indian game of dice, Chopad, which used to be played in the earlier times and is still played in the rural areas of India. This game is an intrinsic part of Indian culture and is often mentioned in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. This too is generally drawn in a geometric pattern coupled with mirrors, which make for a typical Lippan art. 

    Sun

     Sun motif

     

    Ethereal Reflection - A Lippan Mud Art Brilliance by Majikhan

     

    As is the tradition with the Mutwa community, sun is also a natural element that finds its representation in most of Lippan art. It should be noted that such natural elements are not revered or worshipped by the community. These elements are a mere representation of the things that have become an innate part of the culture of the Mutwa community. They have come to define its tradition and hence are an important motif of this art. 

    Bindiya or Tika

     

    Bindiya motif

     

    Flora of Lippan Art - Decorative Artwork by Majikhan

     

    The motifs of bindiya or tika are stylistic circular designs used in Lippan art. The terms bindiya or tika translate to the circular adornment that Indian women typically wear on their foreheads. This motif is drawn with many combinations and styles to bring about a geometrical symphony to the tableau of Lippan art. 

    These are some of the recurring motifs incorporated in the Lippan art practised by the Mutwa community. Different communities incorporate different designs and patterns in their Lippan art. 

    Click here to learn how to create your own Lippan Kaam: https://www.memeraki.com/collections/masterclasses/products/lippan-masterclass

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