Mandana Color Preparation and Natural Brushes for Lipai

15-May-2026

This image shows the traditional preparation of natural tools and colors used in Mandana art in the Sagwara village of Dungarpur district, Rajasthan. It reflects the folk traditions and earth-based lifestyle of the Bhil tribe.

Two types of natural brushes are visible in the image. The first brush is made from a bamboo twig, its tip beaten into fibrous strands, and is used for drawing fine white patterns with khadiya (white clay) over a red ochre surface.

The second brush is made from bundled jute fibers and is used for lipai (mud plastering) with geru (red clay). It is used to coat surfaces with a smooth layer of natural red earth.

For color preparation, a mixture of geru (red soil) and khadiya (white clay) is prepared with water. The white containers hold a rice-based white solution used to create bright decorative Mandana patterns over the red base.

This entire process represents traditional lipai technique, natural pigments, and rural artistic practices that remain an essential part of the cultural identity of Sagwara.