Rangoli -An art from India

Rangoli is one of the most popular art from India

The term rangoli is derived fom two words rang and aavalli

Rang means colour

Aavalli means coloured

creepers or row of colours

Rangoli- Origin

It's origin is traced to a legend recorded in Chitrakakshana-the earliest Indian treatise on painting

When the son of king's high priest died, it led to widespread dispair in the kingdom

Rangoli- Origin

People of the kingdom prayed to Brahma Lord of the universe. Brahma asked the king to paint the likeness of the boy so that Brahma could breath life into him again.

It is believed that this was how the first Rangoli painting was made.

Rangoli- Origin

Also the son of the king painted a potrait of a girl whom the son liked very much. Thus rangoli has become a form of self portrait for women.

Rangoli- Origin

Another legend is, one day god in one of his artistic spells, extracted juice from one of the mango trees to be used as paint. He then used the paint to draw the figure of a beautiful woman.

Rangoli- Origin

It is said that the painting of the woman was so magnificent that it put the heavenly maidens to shame. Thereafter, Rangoli became a popular form of women self-portrait.

Rangoli- Purpose

Women draw Rangoli at dawn every morning at the entrances of homes and businesses. It serves as “Welcome mats” to visitors.

It is a symbol to welcome Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth into peoples homes.

Rangoli- Art

Women create Rangoli by bending over hips and allowing the rice flour/paste to follow from her finger tips just skimming along the ground, quickly discharging the material.

Rangoli- Art

Some women prefer seating position while standing gives greater range of motion and quicker action.

The healthy physical activity of bending, streching and constructing something that has a beautifying impact on environment are good reasons for making rangoli.

Rangoli- Art

Rangoli an Indian floor art know by different names in different parts of the country.

Rangoli- Art

Aalpana in Bengal, Aripana in Bihar,Madana in Rajasthan, Rangoli in Gujarat,Muggu in Andrapradesh, Kolam in Tamil nadu and Chowkpurana in Uttar Pradesh etc.

Rangoli- Designs

Rangoli designs are usually symmetrical and geometric.

They often include shapes taken from nature such as swans, flowers, trees, lotus and mango fruits.

Rangoli- Designs

For celebrations like Diwali -Hindu For celebrations like Diwali -Hindu festival. Big rangoli patterns are drawn. festival. Big rangoli patterns are drawn. Hexagon, six pointed stars and six Hexagon, six pointed stars and six petal lotus are particularly used to petal lotus are particularly used to honour Lakshmihonour Lakshmi

Lentils, split peas, seedsLentils, split peas, seeds and coloured and coloured rice are used for filling.rice are used for filling.

Rangoli- Designs

A traditional rangoli is drawn A traditional rangoli is drawn using one continuous hand using one continuous hand movement, leaving no gaps in movement, leaving no gaps in the design for evil spirits to the design for evil spirits to enter.enter.

The coloured seeds and The coloured seeds and powders are then used to fill powders are then used to fill the sections of the pattern.the sections of the pattern.

Rangoli- Designs

Bindhu, the point from which everything emanates and into which every thing merges. In rangoli symbols like

Triangle-male and female principles operating in the universe

Square - stability

Rangoli- Designs

Pentagon -earth, air, water,fire and sky

Hexagon- used to worship Lakshmi

Octagon- symbol for protection

Circle -symbolizes life and growth.

Rangoli- Procedure

Using this plywood draw out a grid of dots. These can be as close together (to make the design intricate) or as far apart (for simple designs) as you like.

Here we used a grid 15cm by 15 cm with 3cm intervals.

Rangoli- Procedure

Draw the pattern with pencil by joining the dots

Brush glue on to the first section of your design

Rangoli- Procedure

Start filling the sections of the design by gently sprinkling coloured rice onto the glue

Continue working with one colour at a time until all sections of the pattern are filled.

Designs

Children filling Rangoli

Have a got at designing your own Have a got at designing your own RRaannggoollii