Rangoli is all about geometric patterns and colours. In fact there is a possibility that the Mandala Art form could have been a variation of Rangoli. 

The raw materials used for drawing a rangoli is completely organic. It is made on the floor. Earlier during the era of mud houses, the particular square used to be painted white using limestone. Once dried the patterns are drawn with the powder using the forefinger and thumb. The base colour is white coarse tiny crystals. The other colours are powder based and again are organic. Some common substances are lime stone, red ochre, flower petals, coloured rocks, rice powder and so on. 

The basic form of rangoli was used as an insect repellent in the kitchens where the cooking fire was surrounded with designs in white. The cooked food was placed in utensils where also had similar patterns made on the floor. Rangolis were also used at the site of yagna or sacrificial fire were priests used to perform the religious rituals. Limestone and turmeric was used for such purpose.

Once upon a time, rangoli was a pure manual art form but now a few modern implements and aids like stencils have made their way in. 

Cultural programs organised during festive season are the main event where even rangoli competitions are organised. Other than that schools and universities play in a major role in promotion of this art since during the festive season the main entrance is always decorated by a massive rangoli design. Rangoli could also be drawn during important programs like school annual day. 

There is no need to promote this art form because it is too popular in India. 

A word about the origin of Rangoli

Thank God that there are no traces of this art form anywhere in the world. Because of this even the intellectuals agree that rangoli originated in India and continues to flourish here. Experts believe that it predates the vedic era. There is a mention of rangoli designs and geometry in the vedas.

The word Rangoli comes from the sanskrit word ranga which means colour. It is an adaptation of the word Rangavali.

There is a separate branch of rangoli designs made exclusively with petals and flowers. Another variation followed in North Indian states also paints on walls. Here is a list of various names in different parts of India,

Rangoli in Maharashtra & Karnataka
Chowkpurana in Punjab, UP, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh
Mandana in Rajasthan
Alpana in Bengal
Sathiya in Gujarat

Rangoli is a way to welcome guests too. Guests bring joy to the house. 

The story of Agastya Rishi

Part of one of the Saptarishis, Agastya and his wife Lopamudra are authors of hymns from the Rigveda composed in 1950 BC to 1100 BC, 27 in number. Lopamudra was raised by the King of Vidarbha and after she grew up, Agastya asked for her hand in marriage. She left the palace to stay with the rishi in the forest. One day Lopamudra while helping her husband with the preparations for Yajna decided to decorate the place. She picked up five colours representing the five elements, blue, green, red, black and white. She could have drawn the first rangoli ever.

Many years later, Sita also drew a rangoli after she met Ram. She added some water to rice flour and mixed a few organic colours to create the first wet rangoli.

Years later once Ram returned back from vanvas, the residents of Ayodhya lit ghee lamps outside their house and drew rangolis to welcome his arrival. 

Remember the famous Laxman rekha drawn by Ram’s brother when he goes out to look for Ram. Sita was told not to cross the line and that the line would hold out all evil forces. Even Ravan was scared of crossing the Laxman Rekha and was repeatedly asking Sita to cross over. That is the power of a rangoli. 

After Krishna settled down in Dwarka, Rukmani made a unique rangoli pattern. This is called Sathiya because Rukmani was a sathiya of Krishna. 

A design of patterns

Rangoli designs consists of lines and patterns. There is always a central theme for any rangoli. Swastika, peacock, lotus, lamps or even Ganesha are the most common options. Goddess Laxmi sitting on a lotus flower represents prosperity and fertility. Other symbols have their own meaning. 

Designs are passed from mother to daughter and generation to generation. 

The nature of rangoli still remains mostly organic. While some colour manufacturers do use synthetic colours which come cheap, mostly Indians are environmentally aware and make the right choices. 

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