JOIN USIt is that time of the year when a slew of festivals are just round the corner. Festivals bring cheer, merriment and a lot of socialising and many of us are making plans that are not only creative, but are unique and novel too. Why stop it with a customary, simple
decoration around the prayer area? Are you thinking of a way to spruce up the decor without much ado, which is also light on the wallets and something which the family can contribute to?
If you would like a plan for a colourful scheme that will grab attention but is also traditional at the same time, a rangoli theme is the way to go. Not only would it look aesthetically pleasing, it will also be the cynosure of all eyes. Don’t brush away the idea of rangoli as very common and uninspiring. On the contrary, it can bring the spaces in your home alive. Rangolis are a heady mix of tradition and exquisite design and suit every theme.
A rangoli is India’s age-old art form that weaves a strong fibre in our culture.
Derived from the Sanskrit word, rangavalli which means a colourful pattern, rangoli has been a way to welcome guests and gods alike for a long time. The reaction to a hand-drawn rangoli is often filled with joy and awe, and makes guests feel important. Traditionally, rangolis were patterns drawn on mud or smeared on floors with cow dung. It is believed that the beautiful art in front of the house brings good luck, invites wealth and prosperity and has a positive effect on the home’s residents. The rangoli’s intricate designs are drawn by using a fine white stone powder. This tradition still continues in many parts of our country, albeit more fancifully during festivals.
Start your journey
While our grandmothers and mothers could deftly draw patterns using dots and lines to form an eye-catching design, most of us will recall dabbling with this art at one time or the other with some confusion. If you are a little doubtful about your skills at the moment, rope in the elders and the artistic members and see the art flow! The kids will enjoy the drawing, filling colours and will come up with innovative ideas to decorate while enjoying the special bonding time with the family.
But before you begin your journey into the world of rangoli, here are a few things that you would need to remember:
*While rangolis are traditionally made with white powder or rice flour, they can sometimes be accidentally erased. So, make it last longer by using eco-friendly paints. If using paints, dip and draw.
*If you don’t want to design the rangoli by hand, you can consider buying some of the sticker variants that are easily available in the market today.
*Draw intricate floral designs with the help of toothpicks, matchsticks, ear buds, forks and your finger tips. Just pour some rangoli powder on the surface and draw patterns of your choice.
To help make the rangoli process a whole lot easier, there are a number of paraphernalia in the form of pipes and fillers with tiny holes in them that are available in the market.
They act as tools to draw intricate patterns, which can sometimes prove to be difficult. All you have to do is put some rangoli powder in them and draw the pattern. It’s that simple. For a 3D effect, you can fill the pattern with grains, coloured sand or rice and flowers, to suit the occasion. Colour beads, sequins and many other such items will come in handy here. If you are looking for something that is innovative, give water rangoli a try. For this, you will need a broad display vessel with water. Make sure the water is still. Use coloured saw dust to make a pattern on the surface of the water. Use water-resistant colours for the saw dust. Then, fill the pattern with flower petals. Also, a small floating wax diya will make the rangoli look even more beautiful.
The canvas
Now that you are all geared up with the necessary essentials, choose an appropriate place to draw the rangoli. It is important to select a place which does not have much traffic in the house, lest it is stamped upon. For homes with plenty of space, rangolis serve to enliven the walkways to the entrance, the garage and the backyard. Steps are also a great place for a rangoli. This can be done by drawing beautiful borders by using either the white powder or with paints to make them last longer.
While the entrance is the usual option, many have limited access to this space,
especially if they live in an apartment. Also, some building society rules may not
permit the common areas to be used for this art form. In such cases, fret not as you can bring the rangoli inside. You can even make a pattern on a wall or frame a picture of an elaborate design as the centrepiece. How does one do this? First, finalise the spot where you want to keep the rangoli. Next, make this the focal point of any gathering you have.
The best part of rangolis is that you can change the decoration scheme for different occasions. For example, you can choose a specific design which is themed around the current festival — like the outline of a god or the symbolic kalasha (the holy pot which represents the deity). Or you could keep it simple by drawing a beautiful lotus, a pattern of leaves or any geometrical design. Alternatively, you can also do an elaborate and colourful pattern on the terrace, which can be converted to a place of meeting and enjoying the festivities.
Apartments, too, offer a scope to bring in this tradition. Plan with the complex’s residents and make it a fun and engaging activity in a common area as permitted. How about a small rangoli competition for the kids? It is sure to bring out the little M F Husain in them!
A rangoli filled with colours and flower petals has the ability to charm anyone that comes to your home. One can revive this age-old tradition and enjoy a beautiful decor concept which is unique to our country. Just unleash the creativity in you and have a joyful festive season!