Exhibit of the week- 173 (21st to 27th September 2023)

Exhibit of the week- 173
(21st to 27th September 2023)

JIROTI
A traditional art of Nimad

Jiroti is a traditional art of Nimad region in Madhya Pradesh. It is a wall painting drawn on the occasion of Jiroti Amavasya or Hariyali Amavasya by women of the house. ‘Amavasya’ means ‘no moon day’ and ‘Hariyali’ means ‘greenery,’ that is why Hariyali Amavasya is observed as a moon festival during the rainy season when nature blossoms at its full. Creating a Nimadi painting on the walls of a house is not simply an artistic expression, it is accompanied by certain rituals and the singing of folk songs specific to the occasion. The outline of Jiroti's drawing is made seven days in advance. The central door of the house (in the middle of the house) is plastered with cow dung and soil on both sides. In Nimad it is called 'Kavala Potanu'. After coating both the 'Kavals', different colors are applied. First of all, a red panel is prepared with ocher on a background smeared with cow dung. No fixed scale is used for this.

'Char Sari' i.e. a frame with four lines is made with turmeric yellow color in the red ochre frame. Which is beautifully decorated with different colors and geometric designs. Then, two, three or five standing figures of the presiding deity of this festival and Adi Shakti Devi 'Jiroti' are made in the middle of the frame. To honor the idols of Goddess Jiroti, a throne-like cradle is made under the feet. Jiroti is also revered in Nimad as the goddess who protects children from diseases and sorrows. Therefore, a child is also depicted along with each figure. Jiroti murals are an artistic expression of family life, ranging from the kitchen to beautiful jewellery. A cow is made in the other corner, ladies carrying water, churning butter milk, small children, birds and animals are depicted. The moon and sun are made as symbols of immortality. Jiroti is the most favourite festival of the women of Nimad as it marks the beginning of festivals. After Jiroti, there is a flurry of festivals like Nagpanchami, Rakhi, Sanjhaphuli, Dussehra, Diwali one after the other.

Acc.no.- 2008.726
Local Name – Jiroti, A traditional art of Nimad
Community - Folk
Locality - Madhya Pradesh

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