Empowering the Women of Uttarakhand through the Traditional Folk Art of Aipan

Kumaon in the Indian Himalayas is the birthplace of the well-known ritualistic folk art known as Aipan . The art is mostly performed at rites, ceremonies and important occasions in the home. According to practitioners, it calls forth a divine force that repels evil and gives luck. The art form is very imperative in terms of religion, culture and society. This paper explores the impact of Aipan art on cultural identity in Uttarakhand.The study aims to understand how this traditional art form contributes to cultural preservation and economic development.