Rangoli is one of the most popular and traditional art forms in India. It is a very creative form of Geometry or freehand art, mostly created on the floor, using white powder, made from white stone or sometimes even Rice flour. Generally these patterns are made by using a grid of dots and then freehand smooth drawings, either joining these dots are going around these dots. Once completed, these are filled with colors, which make them very attractive. The term Rangoli seems to have derived from words rang (Hindi - color) and aavalli ('colored creepers' or 'row of colors').
Rangoli has also attained a position of cultural importance in Hindu families. Almost every Hindu house has a Rangoli in front of their house everyday. The women, draw these Rangolies in their courtyards, everyday morning. The culture believes that, every day morning, the courtyard is washed and Rangoli is drawn, along with Pooja sanskar done for the the front door step (horsala - in kannada) and the Tulasi Plant, which is again usually situated in the courtyard. In addition to this daily routine, the Rangoli is extensively used during festival seasons. These are more grander and more colorful than the regular daily ones.
History of Rangoli
The origin of rangoli painting is traced to a legend recorded in the Chitralakshana, the earliest Indian treatise on painting. When the son of a Kings high priest died, Brahma, Lord of the universe, asked the king to paint the likeness of the boy so that Brahma could breathe life into him again. This is how, it is believed, the first painting was made. Also, the son of the king painted a portrait of a girl whom the son liked very much, although the king would not let his son see her. Rangoli also became a form of self-portraiture for women.
Chola rulers made extensive use of floor paintings. They are known by different names in different parts of the country; Alpana in Bengal, Aripana in Bihar, Madana in Rajasthan, Rangoli in Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra, Chowkpurana in Uttar Pradesh and Kolam in Kerala and Tamilnadu, Muggu in Andhrapradesh. Some of these, especially many of the North Indian ones like Aalpana more often refer to floor painting with traditional wet color, rather than the powder rangoli more conventional in south India.
Modern day Rangoli
The Rangoli designs in tradition are usually taken from Nature - peacocks, swans, mango, flowers, creepers, etc. Today, synthetic dyes are used in a range of bright colors, though earlier they were derivatives of natural products, like Indigo, etc. Sometimes, instead of colors, pulses, cereals and seeds of different plants are used to fill the areas within to make them look beautiful. In addition, most Rangolies sport symmetry.The designs are symbolic and common to the entire country, and can include geometrical patterns, with lines, dots, squares, circles, triangles; the swastika, lotus, trident, fish, conch shell, footprints, creepers, leaves, trees, flowers, animals and anthropomorphic figures. Originally Rangoli was done in small patterns, but now entire floor areas are covered in intricate detailed designs. Traditionally, such floor decorations were done only on auspicious occasions or festivals. But today, any occasion is good enough — weddings, birthday parties, opening ceremonies, etc. In the deep South and South West of India and Kerala, flowers are used to create floor art.
Rangoli has a lot of religious significance, enhancing the beauty of the surroundings and spreading joy and happiness all around. The most common festivals, which boast of great Rangoli in North Karanataka are Deepavali, Dasara, Ganesha Festival, Kamanna Habba, Ugadi, Nagara Pachami. In addition to these major festivals, you may also find these done extensively well, during the full moon and new moon days. They are also used during Satyanarayana Pooja, House warming ceremony, Marriages, Engagement functions, Birthdays, etc.
This Blog is devoted to Rangoli Art and Culture, and intends to document and publish most of these North Karnataka popular Rangolies. Contributions, if any, please submit to admin@joladarotti.com.
References: Wikipedia
Rangoli has also attained a position of cultural importance in Hindu families. Almost every Hindu house has a Rangoli in front of their house everyday. The women, draw these Rangolies in their courtyards, everyday morning. The culture believes that, every day morning, the courtyard is washed and Rangoli is drawn, along with Pooja sanskar done for the the front door step (horsala - in kannada) and the Tulasi Plant, which is again usually situated in the courtyard. In addition to this daily routine, the Rangoli is extensively used during festival seasons. These are more grander and more colorful than the regular daily ones.
History of Rangoli
The origin of rangoli painting is traced to a legend recorded in the Chitralakshana, the earliest Indian treatise on painting. When the son of a Kings high priest died, Brahma, Lord of the universe, asked the king to paint the likeness of the boy so that Brahma could breathe life into him again. This is how, it is believed, the first painting was made. Also, the son of the king painted a portrait of a girl whom the son liked very much, although the king would not let his son see her. Rangoli also became a form of self-portraiture for women.
Chola rulers made extensive use of floor paintings. They are known by different names in different parts of the country; Alpana in Bengal, Aripana in Bihar, Madana in Rajasthan, Rangoli in Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra, Chowkpurana in Uttar Pradesh and Kolam in Kerala and Tamilnadu, Muggu in Andhrapradesh. Some of these, especially many of the North Indian ones like Aalpana more often refer to floor painting with traditional wet color, rather than the powder rangoli more conventional in south India.
Modern day Rangoli
The Rangoli designs in tradition are usually taken from Nature - peacocks, swans, mango, flowers, creepers, etc. Today, synthetic dyes are used in a range of bright colors, though earlier they were derivatives of natural products, like Indigo, etc. Sometimes, instead of colors, pulses, cereals and seeds of different plants are used to fill the areas within to make them look beautiful. In addition, most Rangolies sport symmetry.The designs are symbolic and common to the entire country, and can include geometrical patterns, with lines, dots, squares, circles, triangles; the swastika, lotus, trident, fish, conch shell, footprints, creepers, leaves, trees, flowers, animals and anthropomorphic figures. Originally Rangoli was done in small patterns, but now entire floor areas are covered in intricate detailed designs. Traditionally, such floor decorations were done only on auspicious occasions or festivals. But today, any occasion is good enough — weddings, birthday parties, opening ceremonies, etc. In the deep South and South West of India and Kerala, flowers are used to create floor art.
Rangoli has a lot of religious significance, enhancing the beauty of the surroundings and spreading joy and happiness all around. The most common festivals, which boast of great Rangoli in North Karanataka are Deepavali, Dasara, Ganesha Festival, Kamanna Habba, Ugadi, Nagara Pachami. In addition to these major festivals, you may also find these done extensively well, during the full moon and new moon days. They are also used during Satyanarayana Pooja, House warming ceremony, Marriages, Engagement functions, Birthdays, etc.
This Blog is devoted to Rangoli Art and Culture, and intends to document and publish most of these North Karnataka popular Rangolies. Contributions, if any, please submit to admin@joladarotti.com.
References: Wikipedia
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