What is Rangoli?

Rangoli is a traditional art of India. Rangoli is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. It is a floor art which is practiced by Indians (mostly women and girls) across the world during festivals like Diwali, Pongal etc. Bengalis call it Alpana and South Indians call it Kolam. The size and shape of rangoli designs depends totally on the person making the design. Rangoli designs can be made by sand, gulal, flowers, lime, spices etc. Where sand or gulal is used for making rangoli designs, the vibrant use of many colors is a commom thing. A special type of Rangoli called as ‘Maandna’ (मांडना) is made using lime on auspicious occasions. Rangoli can also be made from colorful flowers decorated beautifully on the floor which is called Pookalam or Athapookalam. Traditional floral design or pookalam is popular in Kerala which is made during Onam festival.

Rangoli Competition 2013 at Giridih

Rangoli Competition 2012 at Giridih Book Fair

A rangoli competition was held at a book fair in Giridih. Around 60 participants had taken part in the rangoli competition. There were three categories in this competition – junior group from standard 6th to 8th, senior group from standard 9th to 11th and the most senior group on and above 12th standard. Participants were free to make any design they wanted to. Each participant was given a limited area to design his/her rangoli and also there was a limited time, which was just an hour. There were no restrictions on the material for making rangoli, so participants used rangoli colors, gulal, colored rice, flour, flower, etc to give their rangoli a beautiful look. Rangoli Competition proved a huge success, and all credit goes to the organiser of this book fair – Mr. Ritesh Chandra, Mr. Rupam Roy and Mr. Krishna Kant. Following are the beautiful designs of rangoli made on the ground by all the participants.

Rangoli Design by Neha Jain from Kolkata, West Bengal

Beautiful and shining rangoli has been made from glitter, stones and colorful diyas by Neha Jain from Kolkata, West Bengal. Totally new concept of making rangoli from stones and designer diyas have been thought. The pattern and the wonderful alignment of diyas in rangoli is enhancing its beauty.

 

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