Alpona village in Chapainawabganj: Where tradition still paints the walls of rural Bangla
Women have primarily carried the tradition forward
In the quiet corners of Nachol upazila in Chapainawabganj, lies Tikoil village — better known as Alpona village, where the practice of creating alpona patterns on walls of households has been carried on for generations.
The village also holds a memorable place in the history of social movements — it was connected to the Tebhaga movement led by Ila Mitra in the Nachol area.
In the Hindu households of this village, the walls are first dotted with white paint before the intricate alpona designs are drawn.
Every house here was once like a canvas. The outer walls, verandas, and kitchens were all adorned with hand-painted alpona. These motifs often featured flowers, birds, trees, vines, and scenes from rural Bengal — all reflecting the colors and spirit of local nature.
Not only Hindu homes, but Muslim households also embraced this art form, symbolising communal harmony and coexistence.
The tradition has been primarily carried forward by women — housewives and girls — who have passed it down from generation to generation.
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Over time, however, the practice has greatly declined. Today, only two or three houses in the village still display these beautiful murals.
Yet, Alpona village continues to draw both local and foreign tourists, fascinated by the blend of art, heritage, and the serene beauty of rural Bengal.
