What Is Alpona Design?

Alpana or alpona refers to colourful motifs, sacred art or painting done with hands and paint which is mainly a paste of rice and flour on auspicious occasions in Bengal. The word Alpana is derived from the Sanskrit alimpana, which means 'to plaster' or 'to coat with'.

How do you make Alpona?

If want to make alpana designs then you have to soak rice in water over night. The rice should preferably be of low quality, the type that breaks easily so that it softens on soaking. The grains of basmati rice will not break even on soaking.

What is the difference between design and Alpona?

The basic designs are more or less the same, only new forms and new colours are being experimented with along with a larger scale of design. The changing moods of the seasons are reflected very well in the Alpana designs. The word 'Alpana' has two different versions.