Folk Songs of Uttarakhand had its root in the lap of nature. It has seen various phases of growth and has undergone lots of transformation during the course of time. It speaks about various festivals, religious traditions, folk stories and simple life of the people of Uttarakhand. Bajuband, Basanti, Chhopati, Chhura, Chounphula and Jhumeila, Jagars, Mangal, Puja Folk Songs are some of the folk songs sung in Uttarakhand.
Bajuband
This is a folk song of love and sacrifice between the shepherds. It is a love dialogue between the man and woman or between a boy and girl which is sung in the form of a folk song.
Basanti
‘Basanti’ folk songs are composed for the coming spring season when flowers bloom and new life spring in the valleys of the hills of Garhwal. The folk song is sung individually or in groups.
Chhura
‘Chhura’ folk songs are sung among shepherds in the form of advice given by the old to youngsters, having learnt it out of their experience, particularly in grazing sheep and goats.
Chhopati
These are the folk songs popular in Rawain-Jaunpur area of Tehri Garhwal. ‘Chhopati’ are the love songs sung between the men and women in the form of questions and answers.
Puja Folk Songs
These songs are connected with the Puja (worship) of family deities. There are other Puja songs connected with ‘Tantra’ and ‘Mantras'.
The word “Aipan” is a derivative of ‘Arpan’. A commonly used word for it is “Likhai” (writing), although it is a pattern made with the fingers. Aipan are used as ritual designs for Pujas, festivals and ceremonies connected with birth, janeu, marriage and death. Aipan are usually drawn at the place of worship of the houses and the main entry doors of the houses or in the front courtyard. The Chowkies of mango wood are painted with Aipan’s special designs, each valuable for a special occasion. The raw materials used are simple ochre (Geru ) colour and rice paste. Mostly women paint the designs on the floors and walls of their homes using the last three fingers of the right hand. However, the ones with Geru patterns are drawn by a free hand.
‘Pichhauras’ or dupattas are also decorated are Aipan designs and patterns. During the time of the Harela festival of the Kumaon, there is a tradition of making clay idols (Dikaras). The Swastik pattern has immense significance in Aipan patterns as well. It is drawn in some form or the other. Most of the religious rituals are carried out by drawing Swastika. In Hindu mythology, Swatika represents all gods and goddess. Pichhauras which are worn by Kumaoni women during festivals and marriages carry Swastik Aipan design quite aesthetically.
Now a days, Aipan patterns are used on varied items like greeting cards, wall hangings, cushion covers, table cloths, even T-Shirts. The decorative patterns used to adorn doorways that have been adapted for gift tags, bookmarks, clay items, wooden boxes, trays and coasters.
Aipan are known by different names and are quite popular in many parts of India. These are called Alpana in Bengal, Satiya in Gujrat, Rangoli in Maharashtra, Chowk pooran in Uttar Pradesh, Kolam in South India, Madne in Rajasthan, Arichan in Bihar and Bhuggul in Andhra Pradesh.
