Fading Mud Folk Art: Parola

What is Parola?

A traditional folk art using Mitti (Mud), Parola ( white clay),Goti ( mud plus cowdung) to embellish outer walls with bright motif

Particulalry done on mud houses ( Kachi Kothi). This folk-art is created using Mitti (Mud) and Parola ( White Clay) on the outer side of mud-house, on the Danga ( Boundary wall) or Khutti (sitting benches made of mud). These give the mud house a beautiful look.

After smearing walls of mud house these art creations are drawn over them with Parola. These are made from Mitti, Goti and Parola and are called Guddian (Dolls). 

These art creations are painted by females of the family with a Koochi (straw-brush ). First of all the mud house is given a hand plastering with wet clay mixed with husk of dry wheat-plant and cowdung. 

Then it is given a coating of Goti ( a plaster made of cow-dung and mud) when dry, Guddian are painted over this area using Parola (White clay).

These art creations are not painted inside house.

Only a thick line 4 to 6 inches wide is drawn corner to corner in rooms and around Thamm ( wooden pillar of Kachi Kothi ). However, this is not called Guddian but Patta (a stripe).

Designs often feature geometric shapes, florals, religious symbols, and seasonal themes, reflecting the rhythms of everyday life.

Cultural Roots & Symbolism

Parola connects rural expressions to royal art narratives, like those preserved in Mubarak Mandi and palaces such as Ramnagar.

According to cultural studies, these folk motifs act as living archives non‑verbal storytelling mediums influencing social memory, seasonal rituals, and community identity.

Why is Parola Disappearing?

Modern lifestyles and construction practices have marginalized kacha (mud) homes, eroding the canvas and purpose of Parola.

Lack of awareness and economic incentives means fewer villagers still cherish and practice it making Parola one of the most endangered intangible Dogra traditions.

Why It Matters Today

The fragile clay strokes echo interwoven beliefs, seasons, and community stories.

Parola represents raw connection between people, place, and material unlike preserved museum artifacts.

How We Can Revive Parola?

•Photograph surviving murals. Record motifs, materials, stories, and artisans.

•By organizing workshops in Villages,

invite artists and students to teach Parola techniques, and reintroduce the art at local homes and community spaces.

•By organizing a festival featuring live Parola painting cycles in village fairs, school events, or even at Mubarak Mandi or Amar Mahal.

•Organizing a contests like "Paint a Parola mural in your courtyard this Diwali"

•Writing to govt to protect culture and traditions.