Alpana is a style of Bengali art which can be seen in most of the Bengali homes during festivities, ceremonies and celebrations. Alpana is a term that has been derived from the word in the Sanskrit language, alimpana, meaning ornamental plastering. This art is basically a style of decorating the floor with beautiful patterns. The artistic medium used for such patterns is the staple food of Bengal, rice. Only atap (non-parboiled) rice is used, usually of the short-grained variety. The rice is soaked in water to soften it, then dried and ground to a fine powder which is held between the thumb and the tip of the index finger and sprinkled on the ground to create the patterns the artist has in mind. Reminiscent of the religio-artistic practices of Tibetan monks, this technique is called gunrichitra or dhuhchitra (particle painting or dust painting) in Bengal. A more durable medium is created when the rice powder is mixed with water to make a thick paste. A rag, folded to form a tapering wick, is held in the hollow of the palm, its pointed end being dipped into the rice paste and used to paint the alpana patterns. Once dried, the patterns show up vividly white on earthen floors, wooden surfaces or terracotta objects. Occasionally, coloured dyes are added to the white rice paste.

The drawing of alpanas is always spontaneous. They represent a continuous tradition of artistic form and technique among the women of Bengal and the spontaneity of drawing is a crucial aspect of the art. There is no template to refer to, nor any previously documented pattern to copy. It is based completely on the knowledge of patterns seen in the past and a community memory of motifs developed through the ages. Among the common motifs are the flowers, leaves, fruits and vegetables that are a part of the landscape. Ears of rice show up often, as do rice storage containers (dhaner morai) as symbols of plenty.

For the artist, the act of decorating a space or an object for a ceremonial purpose is vested with as much ritual significance as the eventual ceremony itself. And the choice of rice (paste) as the primary medium of painting reaffirms the importance of this crop in Bengal`s life, a significance that has led to rice being considered synonymous with Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity and grace.