Artistic welcome.

Even owing to the space constraints today, people still follow the traditional method of drawing rangolis, says Anita Iyer.

The art of rangoli has come a long way from use of natural dyes to rollers with designs drilled on their surface and even the rangoli stickers but the significance of rangolis made from rice flour still continues. These rangoli stickers are just an alternate to the original rangoli owing to the limited space available outside each house. These rangoli substitutes do not have any positive effects as the powdered ones.

The colours used in rangolis are absorbed by the eyes, skin and skull and our electro-magnetic field. The energy of colour influences our physical, spiritual and emotional being. The different colours used in rangoli have an optimistic affect on the individuals. Dr. Taparia says, “The electromagnetic waves released from human body are attracted to the colours of the rangoli. They change the aura of our body and create positive energy within us”.

It is a profound branch of knowledge and includes many facets. He further adds, “Designs to be made in rangolis differ for person to person. The designs and patterns of the rangoli are made according to the aura of a person. If anybody seeks wealth, the pattern is different from the person seeking happiness”.

Rangolis including floral patterns or geometric figures with use of colours forms an important part of our Indian culture. These symmetrical designs not only decorate the entrance of the house but also have other benefits like warding off the evil influences. Rangoli patterns are believed to invite the forces of prosperity and bring fortune in the home and bestow the family with success. It is assumed that rangoli possess a lot of health benefits like the sitting posture used to make rangoli is supposed to improve the digestive system and reproductive organs and also serves as an overall stretching exercise for the body daily.

The word rangoli is derived from the words rang (colour) and aavalli ('row of colours'). India is known for its hospitality and rangolis are basically designs and patterns made near the entrance to a house to welcome guests. In traditional times, it was assumed as rangoli powder was made only from holy turmeric and kumkum, it brought harmony to the person who crossed it and entered the house.

However, there are even other aspects to the concept of drawing rangoli on the entrance. Like Ananth Laxmi, an 80year old south Indian says, “It is a part of south Indian culture to draw rangolis on the door step before the sun rise. It was the duty of the eldest lady member of the family although many young girls also got engaged later. These design were made to invite Goddess Lakshmi - the Goddess of prosperity in our homes. Also it is a part of Hindu scriptures to feed the animals, rangoli powder made of rice flour, the main idea is to feed the ants and birds”.

In the primitive ages, the designs and patterns of rangoli were inspired by nature so animal and plant figures were drawn. Even the colours then were derived from barks of trees, leaves, indigo, etc. But today, synthetic dyes are used to create a range of bright colours.

There are various types of rangoli depending on the pattern and the elements used and also it is known by different names in different regions of India. Like Alpana in Bengal is made from powdered colors (produced from dried leaves), charcoal, burnt earth, grains while Kolam in South India is made rice paste. The other include Aripana in Bihar, Madana in Rajasthan, Rangoli in Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra, Chowkpurana in Uttar Pradesh, and Muggu in Andhra Pradesh.

Pratibha Karandikar, member of Sanskar Bharti, an association, which has been striving to restore Indian cultural values says, “Rangoli is a symbol of purity and creates an aura of auspiciousness for that occasion. Rangoli also symbolizes unity as people gather together to make rangoli and also useful in improving concentration. Different colours signify different qualities like green symbolizes calmness and red is used extensively in rangolis because it is considered auspicious according to Hindu scriptures”.

Mrs. Sneha Sawant, who has been conducting rangoli workshops for the past 10 years says, “By making rangoli on the entrance of the house, it is believed that family members who go out crossing the rangoli come back safely”. The latest trend in rangoli is ‘The Theme based Rangoli’ based on the Indian festivals. Like for Janmastami, the theme used would be dahi handi. Mrs. Sawant also boosts of many foreign clientele who are coming forward to learn the art of rangoli to know more about Indian culture.