How To Do Alpana For Durga Puja?

Tuesday, September 27, 2011, 15:01

Alpana is the traditional Bengali art of making patterns on the floor. It a parallel of the more common art form of rangoli that is practiced widely in the northern parts of the country or the Pookalam that is famous down south. This art form has a special significance when it comes to festivals and religious ceremonies. So as Durga Puja is just round the corner you better refresh your memory to know how to decorate your house with this traditional art form.

Tips To Do Alpana For Durga Puja:

The basic difference between other forms of rangoli and alpana is that the later is completely white. No colour is added to it. Rangoli makes use of colored powder or flower petal but either ways they are colorful but this art form is sublime in its austerity.

If want to make alpana designs then you have to soak rice in water over night. The rice should preferably be of low quality, the type that breaks easily so that it softens on soaking. The grains of basmati rice will not break even on soaking.

Make a paste out of this soaked rice. You can either do it by hand or in the grinder. Add enough water to get a thick consistency. If you add too much water the design will smudge and it its too thick then it will mot be maneuverable. Ideally about one fourth of the mixture should be water.

You can add a pinch of zinc oxide powder in order to get that brightness in the white color although this is not done traditionally.

The best part about alpana designs is that they don't have to be sketched out like other rangoli patterns before adding colour. You can draw it at one go which saves your time. Due to its watery consistency it is like painting with ink or water colours.

The pattern of the alpana depends on where it is being made. If it is for decoration outside your house then the conch motif is a very good one. The whole design is in the form of a conch shell; it is a very popular one.

The patterns around the pedestal of worship or the place where the sacred pot (kalash) is placed must necessarily be circular. It is usually a sun shape that is drawn for this purpose or something that exudes a shape that is opening up as opposed to closing in.

The patterns can also be set in a square or triangle but these shapes are not synonymous with traditional designs. This art form has a religious significance and it is durga puja so it is better to stick to standard themes and concepts.

Moreover as the paste is semi liquid there is a flow to it. It is easier to for you to draw graceful shapes and flowing designs than mathematically accurate ones.

Alpana is an excellent form of festival decoration and quite easy to make if you follow these steps.