Rangoli Design: Rangoli Designs & Patterns Making of Rangoli

The traditional form of Rangoli made use of designs and motifs based on nature, such as mango, creepers, flowers, swans, peacocks, etc. Even the colors in the traditional art form were extracted from natural dyes, like barks of trees, leaves, indigo, etc. However, the practice is not much in use now. These days, synthetic dyes have more or less replaced the natural dyes of the earlier times. The materials used in the Rangoli patterns of today give either a very flat appearance or a 3-D effect. Rangoli designs used presently include, geometrical patterns, the swastika, lotus, trident, fish, conch shell, creepers, leaves, trees, flowers, animals, etc.

Making of the Rangoli
Usually, the colors used for making Rangoli comprises of a coarse grained-powder base into which other colors are mixed. However, one can also make use of colored powder for impressive decorations. It is best to make Rangoli on a coarse base, such as sand, marble dust, saw dust, etc, as it provides a good grip and at the same time, one is able to sprinkle colors with greater control. The colors used are, by and large, very fine pigment powders like gulal or aabir.

One can also try colored powders used at home, like indigo and spices like rawa, turmeric, rice flour, wheat flour, etc. Whatever design you decide to draw, make sure that it is an unbroken line, with no gaps in between. It is said that a broken line gives an opportunity to the evil spirits to gain entry inside the home.

Rangoli and Diwali
Rangoli occupies a special place in the festival of Deepawali or Diwali. Since, the art form is an expression of warm hospitality, it is used by almost everyone to decorate his or her courtyard during the festival. It signifies that the people coming to the house are welcome inside.

Rangoli in Different States
Rangoli art is known by different names in different parts of the country, such as: