Diwali Decor: Handpainted Diya and Aripan from Mithila

( Please click on individual images for details regarding the image) 

Happy Diwali!!! 

After a long time on the occasion of Diwali, tradition with modern innovations.

Last year I posted on Diwali Decoration in Mithila theme . Moving from there , this year on Diwali, Aripan and hand painted Diyas in the motifs of Mithila / Madhubani paintings.

Aripan (Floor painting in Mithila)

Aripan are  floor paintings in Mithila made with Rice paste and Vermilion dots by the fingers. Aripans are made on all rituals and festive occasion in Mithila. Here, Ashtdal Kamal (style of Lotus ) Aripan is made on the hardwood floor near the Mandir as a part to welcome the Goddess as part of Maithil traditions.

Base: Here Hardwood Floor (although traditionally were made on mud floor graduated to the modern floorings as in the house)

Paint: Rice paste ( Rice is soaked in water for few hours then made into a paste, density and consistency is monitored with mixing of water in the paste) and Vermilion (Sindoor)

Tools : fingers in hand

Diyas (earthen Lamps)

Diya(earthen lamps) also known as Deep are lamps , usually made from clay, with a cotton wick dipped in ghee or vegetable oil . They are important to Hindu traditional worship rituals.
Diya are important element to Diwali celeberations where lighted Diyas signify triumph of good over evil.

Here, as part of decorations basic earthen diya are handpainted in the motifs of Mithila / Madhubani Painting with elements of Shankh, Kamal (Lotus), Deep etc.

Base : earthen Diya made with Clay

Paint: Acrylic paints

Tool: Brush

Artist Nupur Nishith

Last year I used the Diya with ghee and batti and it obviously it got burned.. this year I couldn’t control myself in saving few Diya so just lit one ( the bigger one with ghee and batti ) and used candles on the other ones.. 😉 😛