Alpona / Alpana

Not much is known about the history of Alpona, which is a traditional folk art of Bengal. Its name has been derived from the Sanskrit word ‘alimpan’ which means to plaster or coat. It uses a mixture of rice powder with water, which is then used to create beautiful designs with fingers. Yes, traditional alpona uses the technique of finger-painting. But nowadays, modern artists have notched it up by drawing colourful alpona on canvas and terracotta.