Rangoli - A pattern of colours

A perfect combination of art and tradition is what the beautiful floor decoration is about. Rangoli, which is also called as kolam or maggu is an Indian folk art in which patterns are drawn on floor filled with colours, dry rice, wheat, or flowers decorated with candals or diwas on festivals like Deewali, pongal and onam.

The purpose is decoration and is thought to bring good luck. 

Belief

In Tamil Nadu there is a prevalent myth, that Andaal  worshipped Lord Thirumaal  and was married to him in the month of Margazhi. So during this month, unmarried girls get up before dawn and draw a Rangoli to welcome the god Thirumal. Mentions of rangoli creation are also found in Hindu mythology. Cultural development of Rangoli in the South originated in the era of the Chola Rulers. There are modern and traditional rangoli designs. The designs are usually inspired by nature, but they can also be in the form of abstract art.

Rangoli is drawn in front of the house as a symbol of faith and tradition.

How to make Rangoli:

There are two primary ways to make a Rangoli, dry and wet, referring to the materials used to create the outline and (if desired) fill that outline with colour. Using a white material like chalk , sand, paint or flour, the artist marks a centre-point on the ground and cardinal points around it, usually in a square, hexagon or circle depending on region and personal preference. Ramifying that initially-simple pattern creates what is often and intricate and beautiful design. Motifs from nature (leaves, petals, feathers) and gepmetric patterns are common. Less common but by no means rare are representational forms (like a peacock, icon or landscape). "Readymade Rangoli" patterns, often as stencils  or stickers, are becoming common, making it easier to create detailed or precise designs.

Once the outline is complete, the artist may choose to illuminate it with colour, again using either wet or dry ingredients like paints, coloured rice-water, gypsum powder, coloured sand or dry pigments. The artist might also choose unprocessed materials like seeds, grains, spices, leaves or flower petals to achieve lifelike hues. Modern materials like crayons, dyes or dyed fabrics, acrylic paints and artificial colouring agents are also becoming common, allowing for brilliant and vibrant colour choices. A newer but less artificial method involves using cement coloured with marble powder. This rather precise method requires training, but beautiful portraits can be drawn in this medium.

So friends, why not try a rangoli on this Dewali…

   (A few selected designs for you)