In recent times, Rangoli has become an art form of global importance due to its beautiful and eye-catching patterns. With the popularity of Diwali celebrations spreading throughout the world, people have also become more curious about the art of Rangoli.
“Art gives freedom by cutting the straits of evil“.
-Sanskar Bharti Organization, India
“Rangoli is one of the most profound Arts of the Indian cultural heritage”, written by an artist- Prajakta Moharir. Follow her at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066729232945
In other words, it is a colorful and creative expression of Indian folk art. The white grit is used to make designs on colorful backgrounds on the floor or other flat surfaces.
Although the purpose of making the Rangoli is beyond decoration, the Rangoli represents a household’s happiness, positivity, and liveliness. It is considered auspicious to draw rangoli in Hindu Dharma during special occasions and religious ceremonies. It takes practice to become an expert in making beautiful rangoli, but anyone can quickly learn these skills.
“Life is worth living beyond the materials, and many of us are gifted with one or other exceptional talent; we should pull out at least a few moments from life to follow our passion for obtaining satisfaction as a priority.”
Prajakta Moharir is a Graduated and Certified in Indian classical music, Certified Music Therapist (Indian Raga Therapy)from the Indian Govt. Board of Research. She is passionate about Indian Music, Fine Arts, and Culture.
She loves performing and teaching music, Art, and cultural activities in different social organizations. Also, She likes to encourage people to find out and follow their passions.
She runs an academy named ANTARMAY, where She takes regular classes and vacation camps for singing, instrument playing, chanting, and fine arts.
She believes life is worth living beyond the materials, and many of us are gifted with one or other exceptional talent; we should pull out at least a few moments from life to follow our passion for obtaining satisfaction as a priority.
Rangoli designs include auspicious symbols.
Since it is a tradition coming from generations, as I remember, my mother, grandmother, and other women in the family used to draw Rangoli every day in the house’s front yard. They used to draw auspicious symbols from the Hindu religion.
To welcome the guests was another purpose of Rangoli making. It has been their daily routine to clean the front yard, back yard, and tulsi (basil) plant area and make a Rangoli before dawn.
“Bending front from the waist to draw the rangoli on the floor was a physical exercise for the women who could not find time for themselves for physical activities. Also, they used to chant hymns and sacred bhajans while creating rangoli; it had to have that spiritual angle to create energy centers that could positively impact people.“
Apart from this, Sanskar Bharati Rangoli got founded as teamwork, and we can find its roots in Sanskar Bharati Indian Arts, Fine Arts and Cultural Organization by the founder Baba Yogendra.
We can find more details about Sanskar Bharati Non-Profit Organisation on Wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanskar_Bharti.
Know, what Sanskar Bharti does!
- In 1981, Lucknow became the first institute to establish Sanskar Bharti, with its concept first developed in 1954. It was formed in 1988 to commemorate the Ekadashi (Rangbhari Ekadashi) of the Falgun Shukla Party.
- Sanskar Bharti has over 1200 branches across the country. Its motto is “Art gives freedom by cutting the straits of evil“.
- Among Sanskar Bharti’s goals is to promote patriotism and Indian culture, cultivate an appreciation for Indian values, and encourage the development of novice artists and various arts.
I was fortunate to become a part of this organization in my college days; volunteering at social events was great fun for us while drawing these Rangolis. Gradually I picked it up as one of my hobbies, and I was always got encouraged by my parents and my family to explore more in it as my unique talent.
During the Diwali festival, I used to draw a huge carpet design using Rangoli colors and a combination of Hindu religious symbols, and every time, it turned into an aesthetic piece of Art.
It is said that with the change of color, design, and form, the vibration of rangoli changes. This particular form of making huge carpets style Rangolis satisfies our aesthetic sense of eyes as it gives more vibrations of prosperity.
For me, this is a thing of experience rather than to explain or to prove. There have been several internet resources and booklets on Rangoli designs that attract and transmit energies of deity principles. Throwing colors on the floor became my passion; I feel it is one of the most satisfying forms of Fine Arts.
Mandala and Rangoli, what is the difference?
Mandala is also one of the forms of Rangoli, but it can be any realistic geometric design, symbolic of the universe, used as an aid to meditation, typically made with paints on a fabric or a canvas.
In terms of their nouns, mandalas and rangolis differ only in that mandalas (Hinduism/Buddhism) depict a graphic representation of the spiritual universe and its many realms and deities, while rangolis are geometric or stylized designs made with colored granules or powders on a flat surface.
One of my friends asked me don’t u feel bad while cleaning the huge Rangoli after the festival gets over?
Because it takes such painstaking effort and its existence remains so short, while answering her, I realized that I never felt terrible about wiping it up when its purpose gets over. Instead, it stays in good memories as funfilled teamwork and the performance occasion!
Read about other art and decorations for the festive season at https://journals-times.com/2022/10/18/satisfy-your-mind-with-2022-festive-decorations/
