Lippan kam or mud-mirror work
Lippan (roughly translated-mud washing in Gujarati language and the spelling should be lipan)
kam (is work in Hindi and Gujarati)
Lippan kam is a decorative art done by common people mainly women.
Lippan kam is done inside bhungas/mud huts in villages of Kutch, Gujarat.
Lippan kam is generally done inside the house but sometimes you can find it on outer walls too.
Generally harijan and Rabari women make birds, trees, animals, peacock, human figures etc in lippan kam.
It is done with a mixture of clay and camel dung. Now gum is used to stick mirrors.
Originality of lippan kam lies in adding no colour or only whites.(You may get few pieces of very colourful mud-mirror work in export houses online; exotic pieces but I won’t call it lippan kam!)
Small round, diamond-shaped or tringle mirror pieces are essential to lippan kam. Many a times mirror pieces are a little embroidered.
It is simple technique, anyone can do it.
Can you see slightly raised mud lines-spread with hands.
You just need to use the thumb with two fingers! ?
See the embroidered mirror here ?
I just love-love lippan kam.
All of you who go to Kutch, don’t forget to take photos of lippan kam (and don’t forget to send me all images!!).
(Not all photos are of good quality but I had to put all)
(images courtesy Llnosom on flickr, panjo kutch, hodka villages, travelblog, baps care, indi studio, my cuttings)
I know of a friend who used to work with the women of kutch. Going down memory lane she had so many things to say but this is what I recall. The kutchis made these as part of their everyday living. the lippan kam is an antithesis of their arid environment.It is what brings color in their lives. It is part of their culture which indicates happiness despite misery and hardships of the environment and life . Very cheerful women their tasks like getting water walking miles seems to disappear when they sit down to entertain themselves. They do this in groups while they sing or chat, evoking a community feeling, at the same time producing works of wonder, for you and me to admire. Nowdays many ngos and the imperialist society have capitalised on their art while they get pittance. I was surprised to see some of these in the designer stores sold at ransom prices.
And since you asked – kutch is the best place to get it. And if you must know they have very good leather too – the distressed, old types. They have so many other things – Great art – folk stories drawn on their mobile homes, now seen in hotels – I saw them on rang decor posts. Their jewellery is done by their men ( – that is what I was told) great food, warmth and hospitality galore. My friend worked with them for a good 2-3 years.
I am sure you know all this and more.
gigi,
thanks very much! & how have u been.
Blue,
is not it too beautiful!
hi roma,
these images are gorgeous. i especailly love the wide shot of the glistening wall. thank you for showing! 🙂
I have not seen this before, it is beautiful. Everything about it. What a nice way to ornament the home!
xo
Blue
Thanks Arch,
u mean to say craftisan from Kutch make it? Actually I searched the net and there is derth of any type of material. Do u know of a good place to buy it? Or If u come across a good link-info on lippan kam , please do let me know!
Bhavna,
simple, earthy and elegant! yes u r absolutely right!
As I earlier said I am mad about lippan kam!
RYC: don’t they just make you want to write everyone you know???
Thanks for your comment!!!
Amazing post Roma…
India is so rich in Art and Crafts….it’s so beautiful.
For people who can’t get their walls done in ‘Lippan Kam’…these craftsmen make then in smaller sizes and frame it.
Isn’t it lovely you can still bring in this art into your home in a smaller package;-)
Arch
I have always been fascinated by lippan work (i used to use the layman term – mirror work)…had tried doing amateur version as part of school projects 😉
These are beautiful images…such simple designs and so earthy and elegant at the same time..