Category:Chowk poorana

Chowk-poorana or chowkpurana is folk art practised in Punjab, Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh.^[1] In Uttar Pradesh, the term chowk-poorana refers to decorating the floor with various designs using flour and rice^[2] and also the walls using designs specific to the region.^[3]

Similarly, according to Aryan (1983), the term chowk-poorana in Punjab refers to floor art and mud wall painting. This art is primarily practised by women and is a folk tradition.^[4] In Punjab, during festivals such as Holi, Karva Chauth and Diwali, walls and courtyards of rural houses are enhanced with drawings and paintings similar to rangoli in South India, mandana in Rajasthan, and rural arts in other parts of India. Chowk-poorana mud wall art in Punjab is given shape by the peasant women of the state. In courtyards, this art is drawn using a piece cloth. The art includes drawing tree motifs, flowers, ferns, creepers, plants, peacocks, palanquins, geometric patterns along with vertical, horizontal and oblique lines. These arts add to the festive atmosphere.^[5]