SRM INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

18LEM110L – INDIAN ART FORM
REG NO: RA1811003010227 NAME: Rashi Gambhir

ASSIGNMENT-7

Rangoli – Occasions and motifs

1. Write a note on the importance of Symmetry in Rangoli in the space provided
below.

Rangoli-making is a serious business in my locality. Each morning, swish-swoosh go the brooms as front
yards are swept and washed clean. Then come out the small bowls of white powder, and within minutes,
women adeptly lay beautiful patterns on the floor.

Sometimes red brick powder accompanies the white, enhancing the graphic effect. However, it is during
the festive season that the best art is on display: elaborate patterns encompassing designs of flowers,
vines, motifs, and images of deities are laid out. Plain white or coloured, they are a visual treat, leaving
me in awe.

Humans have communicated through symbols since ancient times. Symbolism exists in every culture and
takes precedence at ceremonies; reportedly, some native African groups lay specific patterns to attract
animals for hunting.

Rangolis are symbolic representations too, prevalent as an art form in India, and a few other Asian
countries. Known by different names, they have roots in the Sanskrit word ‘rangavalli’ (colourful vines).
With spiritual and cultural significance attached to them, festivals are incomplete without rangolis.

Our culture assigns an essential status to rangolis as they are believed to ward off evils, bring peace and
prosperity to the dwelling. Specific designs chosen for prayer areas are said to radiate positive energy.
However, there is more to rangolis than meets the eye. It’s all science!

While rangolis occupy the artistic platform, one cannot but be surprised to realise that there is incredible
science hidden behind it. This daily ritualistic practice in many parts of India incorporates a profound
understanding of neuroscience.

It was Ernst Mach who first studied human response to symmetry. His research also revealed that humans
are more sensitive to vertical symmetry. Further studies in 2002 observed that our brain is wired to
perceive symmetry either consciously or unconsciously and forms a universal element in all that we
construct — art to architecture.

We are familiar with a form of the symmetrical sound wave: music. The little research available on
harmonics shows that when a longitudinal soundwave agitates particles on a membrane, they settle into
symmetrical patterns, much like the rangoli designs. This direct phonetic link between sound waves and
visual patterns gives rise to different waveforms producing different designs. The study of such harmonic
 SRM INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
18LEM110L – INDIAN ART FORM
REG NO: RA1811003010227 NAME: Rashi Gambhir
waveforms is called Cymatics. Conversely, the fluid, symmetrical compositions of rangolis and symbols
form visual harmonics which the brain perceives immediately.

Dr Christopher Tyler even mapped the brain centres that respond to visual harmonics using fMRI. His
study reveals that the visual cortex or the occipital lobe activates when one perceives symmetrical
patterns. His research goes on to explain that we are capable of discerning symmetry in an object in less
than 0.05 seconds, showing that our brain is hard-wired for symmetry.

Just as symmetrical notes induce a pleasing effect on the mind, responding to visual harmonic has a
calming effect on the brain. Neuroscience addresses Cymatics with interest as it has a soothing effect on
the mind. Some studies indicate therapeutic qualities to it. Another research shows that rapid, efficient
perceptual processing of symmetrical objects produces a happy hedonic feeling.

2. Discuss what floor art is done during festivals in your homeland.

Rangoli is a fabulous part of Indian culture and tradition. It one of the most important imagination art in
which an artist have to be prepare with imagination power. Rangoli means rows of colors. various
pictures and images can draw on the floor or walls with various designs and colors. In Hyderabad rangoli
is also famous with various traditional things during festivals. Hyderabad is one of most ritual or religious
location of India. Hyderabad is very famous for its religious celebrations and royal weddings.

During various festivals women draw various ritual designs at entrance of their houses and walls. They
create various ritual signs to welcome their deity during festival moment at their home. they worship their
lord with making of rangoli patterns. During various wedding occasions in Hyderabad people also draw
various religious images and symbols at wedding place. they believed that rangoli is a sign of happiness
and joyous. According to them rangoli invites spiritual power at their home which also bring good
fortune, peace and prosperity in their life.

Diwali is one of the most famous festivals in Hyderabad. During this festival of diwali people in
Hyderabad designs various rangoli patterns like images of goddess Laxmi, sing of swastika, image of lord
Ganesha. To prepare various rangoli patterns they use various elements like rice grains, white powder,
cleaning brush, colors, cloths etc. In Hyderabad there also competition of rangoli making held each of
years.

3. Answer the following questions briefly.

• What is Mehendi?
Mehndi (also called Mehandi) is the traditional art of painting the hands, feet or body with a paste
made from the powdered, dried leaves of the henna plant (Botanical name : Lawsonia Inermis). Its
stain's a usually cherry-red to brown color but this can vary with time left on and a range of other
factors. Coffee, lemon, tea, and essential oils are sometimes added for texture, smell or to help the
stain. Mehndi started in the Middle East and Northern Africa over 5,000 years ago. It has been
used for artistic, ritual and ceremonial use. Archeologists have even found mummies with hennaed
hands. It's becoming popular for a pain free, temporary body art here in the states.
 SRM INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
18LEM110L – INDIAN ART FORM
REG NO: RA1811003010227 NAME: Rashi Gambhir

MEHNDI is an ancient form of body art that has been practiced in the Middle East, India and parts
of Africa for thousands of years. Mehndi is often viewed as a woman's practice though it has
indeed been practiced by men. Mehndi is the art of applying designs to the skin through the
application of pastes made with henna powder on different parts of the body. Henna was most
often applied to the hands and feet.

Henna was first applied as a means to cool down the body. A dot was applied to the palm of the
hands and helped to cool the body.

After becoming bored with the look of the single dot on the palm, the early users of henna began
to add lines and other shapes. Eventually this elaboration became the beautiful designs we see
today.

In the different cultures where the practice of Mehndi flourished, different styles and ways of
application developed. There are the fine lines of designs of Pakistan and India. There are the
more geometric patterns and designs of Morocco. There are the bold geometric shapes and
patterns of various parts of Africa created with a method of tape resist. Mehndi patterns are
created with the application of paste with gold rods, plastic cones, plastic bottles with tips,
syringes, toothpicks and other tools henna artists have developed to get the job done and express
themselves through the art of Mehndi.

• What is the history behind Mehendi?

Indian weddings are incomplete without the mehndi ceremony. The ritual of mehndi ceremony is
followed in every part of the country where the hands of the bride are adorned with the lovely red
colour of the mehndi. On these festive or wedding occasions mostly, traditional Indian designs are
made on the hands of the bride.

The origin can be from Egypt because it was one of the art forms in Egypt. Henna has the power
of medicine was also used as a cosmetic and for its healing power for ages. The beautiful
patterning prevalent in India today has emerged only in the 20th century. India, most of the
women from that time in India is depicted with their hands and feet with red stain designs. The art
of Mehndi has existed for centuries. No exact place of its origin is identified because of people in
different cultures moving through the continents and taking their art forms with them and therefore
sharing their art with everyone along the way.

The bushes can be grown in dry and hot conditions. The leaves are processed as a skin conditioner
and as a reliever for rashes. The henna used for mehndi comes from a bush which is grown in the
Africa and India. Henna is used for hair dye and as a conditioner.

The art of Mehndi is referred to as henna or Mehndi. Some people like permanent tattoos and
some are comfortable with temporary forms of body art. When you use henna to decorate your
body it cools your body too.

• Comment on the significance of Mehendi in Hinduism.

Mehendi represents the bond of matrimony and is therefore, considered a shagun (sign of good
luck). It signifies the love and affection between the couple and their families.

Here are some popular beliefs that are associated with this tradition:
 SRM INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
18LEM110L – INDIAN ART FORM
REG NO: RA1811003010227 NAME: Rashi Gambhir
The darkness of the mehendi colour on a bride’s hand represents the deep love between the
wouldbe-couple.

The mehendi's colour also shows the love and understanding between the bride and her mother-
inlaw.

The longer the mehendi retains its colour, the more auspicious it is for the newlyweds.

Mehendi is also deemed to be a symbolic representation of fertility.

Mehendi is known for its medicinal properties. Its herb is also very beneficial for the growth of
nails. It has a cooling effect that aids in soothing stress, headaches and fever. So, mehendi is
applied to relieve the bride and the groom of all the wedding stress. It also protects them from any
viral diseases before the wedding.

• What is the procedure of Mehendi application?

Henna paste is usually applied to the skin using a plastic cone, a paintbrush or a stick. After about
15–20 minutes, the mud will dry and begin to crack, and during this time, a mixture of lemon juice
and white sugar can be applied over the henna design to remoisten the henna mud so that the
henna will stain darker.

The painted area is then wrapped with tissue, plastic, or medical tape to lock in body heat, creating
a more intense colour on the skin. The wrap (not a traditional method), is worn for two to six
hours, or sometimes overnight, and then removed. When first removed, the henna design is pale to
dark orange in colour and gradually darkens through oxidation, over the course of 24 to 72 hours.

The final colour is reddish brown and can last anywhere from one to three weeks depending on
the quality and type of henna paste applied, as well as where it was applied on the body (thicker
skin stains darker and longer than thin skin). Moisturizing with natural oils, such as olive, sesame
seed, or coconut, will also help extend the lifetime of the stain. Skin exfoliation causes the henna
tattoo to fade.