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A YARN OF LIPPAN ART- Mud Mirror Art or lippan art is a form of home decoration art using small cut pieces of mirror and mud to make various designs on the walls, paint colors are also used. The art is practiced mainly in Kutch and Sindh. It is also called as Chittar kaam because of the making of chitr in the designs. Lippan art form is originally 700-800 years old and was done by kumbhar, rabaris, mutwa, and marwada harijan. Each of them contributed to the evolution of lippan art. Kumbhars were originally potters from Sindh, who decorated walls with sculpted mud motifs. Rabaris known for their vibrant embroidery incorporated their traditional floral and geometric patterns into lippan art. Mutwas migrated from Sindh about 400 years ago and added their sense of symmetry ornamentation into lippan art. From pots, they forwarded this art form to large canvases such as the interior and exterior walls of the home. Lippan art began intending to decorate homes that seemed to be dull and morose. The scintillating murals bring life, gaiety, and beauty to the generally harsh life of people. Lippan art gathered the attention of the modern world for its intricate pattern and aesthetic design and has made a full transition from being an unknown stature to mainstream art for decorating the walls of households. Lippan art involves decorating house walls with vibrant colors and cut pieces of mirrors in exquisite designs. This art form is called glittery art. It creates a shimmery effect at night because the cut pieces of mirrors reflect light at night. Despite being just a decoration it is also a cultural legacy, shaped by pastoral communities and traditions, passed down from generation to generation. Creation of Magic In earlier times, for creating a mural, mud, and cow dung were mixed to make a dough and ensure its durability and adhesiveness. This mixture of mud and cow dung also provides moisture and cooling effects to households during the scorching heat of summers. Nowadays, this dough of mud and cow dung has been replaced by clays to make designs more precise, durable, and odor-free.  After shaping clay into ravishing designs then comes the part of adding colors to life. Vibrant colors were added to the design to enhance its beauty. After adding beautiful colors, comes the most mesmerizing part of the process, adding the shimmery mirrors. Mirrors work as soul to the art; they just don’t give a shine to the artwork but also give it a meaning to the design. Mirrors of different shapes were used such as circles, squares, triangles, etc. They were used to call ‘aabhla’. After combining mirrors with the artwork, the art piece was left undisturbed for drying. In today’s time, lippan was not just about mud-walled homes but now it has been evaluated drastically and has reached new heights. Nowadays, lippan art has adapted the technique to wooden panels, MDFs, canvases, wooden furniture, and many more.   Symbols narrate a story Lippan art is not just about making traditional designs but also the art of depicting a story through your designs. Dancing peacocks besides the blooming flowers, elephants, and camels marching in graceful symmetry, and traditional designs perfectly give justice to Great Kutch’s culture. These symbols are not only used for designs but also speak about the lifestyle of the past and connect somewhere with the present. Here are some of the most commonly used symbols: Panihari- Panihari are the women who used to fetch water from afar, they used to depict the sacrifice of women they made for their families. Mor- A peacock, is an insignia of beauty and grace. Popat- A parrot, is a significance of good fortune, love, and longevity. Suraj- A sun, is a resemblance of divine, light and energy which make life possible on the earth. Vaaran- An elephants, are symbols of strength, wisdom, and positivity and they have many cultural meanings. Idols of gods and goddesses- Having an effigy of a god or goddess is considered auspicious and divine. Temples- A sculpture of temples is also made as they are considered to be very sacred in the Hindu religion.   Muslim communities usually make geometrical designs as the usage of human and animal symbols is forbidden by their religion.These symbols just don’t enhance designs of lippan art but also give meaning to the design and make it more attractive. While we are talking about the designs of lippan art it, includes geometrical designs, florals, and traditional symbols. All these things are combined to make a divine and ethereal design. These designs are meticulously crafted by hand, giving immense attention to the detailing of the design and showcasing the authentic culture and tradition of Hindustan. Connecting Art with Heart- Art creates an essential part of human culture and individuality. Art has been an ever-present facet of human life, shaping societies and expressing our intrinsic creativity. Art stimulates our brain’s pleasure centers, releasing dopamine, the so-called “feel-good hormone”, making art a genuinely joyous experience. Art as a therapy: – Art is more than just a piece of design, it’s a powerful therapeutic tool. Art allows individuals to express their non-verbal feelings, making it an effective way of exploring emotions and experiences that are difficult to put into words. Therapeutic benefits of art- Stress reduction: Art is a meditation in itself, it helps in relaxation and promotes lowering stress levels. Self-awareness: Through art, individuals can have a great insight into their feelings and thoughts which can help them understand better and make them more self-aware about their feelings. Art is a valuable tool for reducing anxiety and depression and can contribute greatly to the overall well-being of a person’s mental health. Art doesn’t just touch anyone’s heart but the process of appreciating art promotes brain plasticity and the brain’s ability. Art has a great impact on our brains, cognitive abilities, and mental health and can be a pleasure for our brain. While appreciating art, it allows us to express our unsaid

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