Rangoli

Rangoli is an art form that originates from the

Indian subcontinent, in which patterns are created
on the floor or a tabletop using materials such as
powdered lime stone, red ochre, dry rice flour,
coloured sand, quartz powder, flower petals, and
coloured rocks. It is an everyday practice in many
Hindu households, however making it is mostly
reserved for festivals and other important
celebrations as it is time-consuming. Rangolis are
usually made during Diwali or Tihar, Onam,
Pongal, and other Hindu festivals in the Indian
subcontinent, and are most often made during A rangoli on the occasion of Diwali, Goa, India
Diwali. Designs are passed from one generation to
the next, keeping both the art form and the
tradition alive.[1]

Rangoli have different names based on the state and culture.

Rangoli hold a significant role in the everyday life of a
Hindu household especially historically when the flooring of
houses were untiled. They are usually made outside the
threshold of the main entrance, in the early mornings after
cleaning the area. Traditionally, the postures needed to
make a rangoli are a kind of exercise for women to A rangoli made with flowers on the
occasion of Onam
straighten their spines. The rangoli represents the
happiness, positivity and liveliness of a household, and is
intended to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and
good luck. It is believed that a Hindu household without a
clean entrance and rangoli is an abode of daridra (bad
luck).

The purpose of rangoli is beyond decoration. Traditionally

either powdered calcite and limestone or cereal powders are
used for the basic design. The limestone is capable of
preventing insects from entering the household, and the
Rangoli at Delhi, India
cereal powders attract insects and keep them from entering
the household. Using cereal powders for rangoli is also
believed as panch-mahabhoota Seva because insects and other dust microbes are fed. Design
depictions may vary as they reflect traditions, folklore, and practices that are unique to each
area. Rangoli are traditionally made by girls or women, although men and boys create them as
well. In a Hindu household, basic rangoli is an everyday practice. The usage of colours and
vibrant designs are showcased during occasions such as festivals, auspicious observances,
marriage celebrations and other similar milestones and gatherings.
Rangoli designs can be simple geometric shapes, depictions of deities, or flower and petal
shapes appropriate to the given celebrations. They can also be made with elaborate designs
crafted by numerous people. The geometric designs may also represent powerful religious
symbols, placed in and around household yagna shrines. Historically, basic designs were drawn
around the cooking areas for the purpose of discouraging insects and pathogens. Synthetic
colours are a modern variation. Other materials include red brick powder and even flowers and
petals, as in the case of flower rangoli.

Over time, imagination and innovative ideas in rangoli art have also been incorporated. Rangoli
have been commercially developed in places such as five star hotels. Its traditional charm,
artistry and importance continue today.

Etymology
From Sanskrit word "र�" (raṅga) which means colour. Rangoli is derived from the Sanskrit
word ‘rangavalli’.

The various names for this art form and similar practices include:[2]

▪ Raangoli (रां गोळी) in Maharashtra

▪ muggu (మ�గ��) in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

▪ rangoli/rangole (ರಂ�ೕ�/ರಂ�ೕ�) in Karnataka

▪ kolam (ேகாலம் ) in Tamil Nadu
▪ mandana/mandas (माँ डना) in Rajasthan
▪ alpana/alpona (আ�না) in Bangladesh and West Bengal
▪ haripan/aripan (आ�रपना) in Bihar
▪ muruja (ମୁରୁଜ) or jhoti (େଝାଟି) or chita (ଚିତା) in Odisha
▪ chowkpurana (छोवकपुराणा) in Chhattisgarh
▪ chowkpujan (चौकपूजन) in Uttar Pradesh
▪ chowk poorana in Punjab
▪ pookkalam (പൂ�ളം) in Kerala
▪ Rangoli/sanskarbharti/bharti in Maharashtra
▪ saathiya/gahuli in Gujarat
▪ aipan/eipan (ऐपण) in Uttarakhand

In different states
In middle India, mainly in Chhattisgarh, Rangoli is called Chaook and is generally drawn at the
entrance of a house or any other building. Powdered quartz, dried rice flour or other forms of
white dust powder is used for drawing Chaooks. Although there are numerous traditional
Chaook patterns, many more can be created depending on the creativity of the person who
draws it. It is considered auspicious as it signifies showering of good luck and prosperity on the
house and in the family. It is not drawn like a Bolka picture. Patterns are created based on
certain systems. Generally, women get up early in the morning and clean the area just outside
the entrance of their houses with cow dung, sprinkle the area with water and draw the Chaook.
In Maharashtra and Karnataka, rangoli are drawn on the doors of homes so that evil forces
attempting to enter are repelled.

During the festival of Onam in Kerala, flowers are laid down

for each of the ten days of the celebration, the design
growing larger and more complex every day. In Tamil Nadu,
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, and many parts of
Maharashtra, the rangoli or Kolam is drawn upon the
ground or floor daily. The designs are geometric and
symmetrical मू�तः shapes but the materials used are similar
rangoli: powdered quartz, rice flour or slurry is used. In
Rajasthan the Mandana are painted on walls. Mmandne,
Rangoli drawn in front of a house
various festivals, major festivals and can be categorized door on the occasion of a festival in
based on seasons. Different shapes depending on the size of Maharashtra
it also can be shared. Kumaon's "writing beat 'or in a variety
of plotting symbols Thapa, artistic designs, Bellbutoan is
used. Alikhthap of society apart – separated by different groups – different icons and art media
is used. In Odisha, the Murja is put at the aangan of every home in front of the Tulsi plant called
"Tulasi chahura". The rangoli patterns mostly are dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lord
Jagannath. The Murja festival is observed during the auspicious month of Kartika ending on
Kartika Purnima. In West Bengal, Alponas are created using rice flour. Alponas are similar to
kolams and are created during major festvals that Bengalis celebrate like Durga Puja, Kali Puja,
Saraswati Puja, Kojagori Lakshmi Puja and Jogodhatri Puja.

Shape, design and material can be influenced by regional traditions. A square grid is common in
North India as is a hexagonal grid in South India; Onam Rangoli are typically circular. In North
India, the colour is most often based on gypsum (chirodi), in South India on rice flour and
Onam Rangoli are typically flower based. The rapid and widespread migration and mixing of
people within India can be seen by the way these styles are now freely adopted and mixed across
the country. It is also becoming common to see experimentation like sawdust-based floating
rangoli, freeform designs, and exotic materials.

It is particularly notable that the Tamil version of the rangoli, the Kolam, prizes symmetry,
complexity, precision, and intricacy rather than the flamboyance of rangoli found in North
India. Many people find it enjoyable to try and figure out how such intricate designs are drawn
with a grid, and hence, it allows the mind to be exercised.

Elements

Colours and designs

The rangoli's most important element is being colourful. These are auspicious symbols that have
a central role in the design. The designs are passed down from one generation to the next as
they are made – and is required to make these symbols. Traditionally, each new generation
learns the art and thus a family keeps the tradition intact. Some major symbols used in rangoli
are the lotus flower and its leaves, mango, Tue vase, fish, different kind of birds like parrots,
swans, and peacocks, human figures, and foliage. Oftentimes rangoli is made on special
occasions like Diwali. Some special patterns for Diwali Rangoli are the Diya also called Deep,
Ganesha, Lakshmi, flowers or birds of India. The patterns include the face of Hindu deities,
geometric shapes peacock motifs, and round floral designs. Many
of these motifs are traditional and are handed down by the previous
generations. This makes rangoli a representation of India's rich
heritage and the fact that it is a land of festivals and colour. People
celebrate rangoli with davali patterns.

Materials
The materials used to make the rangoli are easily found
everywhere. Therefore, this art is prevalent in all homes, rich and
poor. Normally the major ingredients used to make rangoli are:
Pise rice solution, the dried powder made from leaves, colour,
Rangoli created for Diwali in
charcoal, burned soil, sawdust, and similar substances. Rangoli is Pune, Maharashtra, India
also created using coloured powdered quartz, rice, dry flour, flower
petals, turmeric (pasupu), vermillion (sindooram) and coloured
sand.

Background surface
The background of rangoli uses a clear floor or wall or Llype is used. Rangoli can be made in a
yard in the middle, corners, or as a bell is created around.

Dehri gateway is another tradition of making rangoli. God's seat, depending on lamp, place of
worship and sacrifice on the altar is a tradition of decorating rangoli.

Mandala rangoli
Mandala is a diagram, chart or geometric pattern that
represents the cosmos metaphysically or symbolically, a
time-microcosm of the universe, but was originally meant to
represent wholeness and a model for the organizational
structure of life itself, a cosmic diagram that shows the
relation to the infinite and the world that extends beyond
and within various minds and bodies. It also represents the
spiritual journey, starting from outside to the inner core,
through layers.
A mandala rangoli, made in an

Creation Indian household during Diwali

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 an
intricate and beautiful design. Motifs from nature (leaves, petals, feathers) and geometric
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.

Religion
In Sri Vaishnavism, it is said that Andal, one among the twelve Alvars, worshipped the deity
Krishna, and was married to him in the month of Margaḻi. During this month, several
unmarried women get up before dawn, and draw a rangoli to welcome the deity. Mentions of
rangoli creation are also found in Hindu literature. There are also references of rangoli in
legends such as Ramayana - at Sita's wedding pavilion where there is a discussion about rangoli.
The cultural development of rangoli in the south originated in the era of the Chola rulers.

Gallery

Rangoli design for A rangoli in the form Rangoli is either left Rangoli of Global
Diwali on floor of the Wikipedia Logo as uncoloured Events
Chandigarh Airport. for Hindi Wikipedia drawing or it is filled
2010 with various coloured
powders.

Rangoli in Singapore Alpana (painted Rangoli of Peacock in Nature Scene in

Rangoli) in Rajshahi, Tamil Nadu Rangoli during a
Bangladesh Vijayadashami
festival, in
Maharashtra
A Tux rangoli by Rangoli is drawn in Rangoli in making Rangoli being
students at front of the house prepared by a
GNUnify'13, Pune especially on festival Rangoli mould vendor
days in Bangalore

Rangoli at Chennai, Rangoli with flowers Rangoli ''(Muggu)'' at A rangoli made in

India at Chennai Andhra Pradesh front of a house

See also
▪ Chowk poorana – Folk art
▪ Jhoti chita – Traditional Odia art
▪ Kalampattu – Traditional Hindu Performing Art in India
▪ Kolam/Muggu – South Indian form of drawing on the ground using rice flour
▪ Kuberakolam – Household symbolism in Hinduism
▪ Sand painting – Form of art creation

References
1. Macnabb Cambell, James (1884). Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Dháwár (https://bo
oks.google.com/books?id=wxlBAQAAMAAJ&q=powdered+quartz+rangoli&pg=PA821).
Government Central Press. p. 821.
2. "Kolams, chowkpurana, madana, aripana..." (http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/nov/06sld4.ht
m) Rediff. Retrieved 12 January 2012.

Further reading
▪ Selin, Helaine (2008). Encyclopaedia of the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine in
Non-Western Cultures, Volume 1 (https://books.google.com/books?id=kt9DIY1g9HYC).
ISBN 140204559X. pp. 1869–1870.
▪ Selvamony, Nirmal (2006). "Kalam as Heterotopia". In Muthukumaraswamy, M. D. (ed.).
Folklore as discourse. Chennai, India: National Folklore Support Centre.
 ISBN 81-901481-6-8.

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