Rangoli:
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| Ratham Muggu |
Rangoli is an ancient art form of India wherein colorful patterns of designs are created for festive occasions or for decoration of the home by the women. Rangoli literally means 'rows of lines' or 'colors and lines' (Rang=row/color and Oli=lines). Rangoli is referred to by different names in different regions of India depending on the medium used to draw it. It is called Kolam or Muggu in the Southern parts of India and Alpana in eastern parts. Several other names also exist to describe this art form. The medium used is finely powdered sand, rice paste, chalk, lime etc. on a adobe background.
Rangoli patterns are vibrantly colorful depicting mythological symbols, flowers, birds, mythological events or abstract patterns. Sometimes simple geometrical patterns are drawn using dots and lines. Rangoli is widely drawn during festivals, especially Diwali. It is also drawn every day at the entrance of the home to welcome positive energies into the home. A border of Rangoli is drawn around the dining plates when people sit cross-legged on the floor for their meals, especially in the rural areas of India. A practical use of this is also to deter insects from entering the demarcated zone.
The origin of Rangoli cannot be known for sure, but there is a description of it in the Ramayana. It is stated that the people of Ayodhya decorated their streets and homes with beautiful rangolis to welcome Lord Rama when he arrived in Ayodhya with his bride Princess Sita of Mythila after their marriage ceremony. The art of rangoli thus dates back into antiquity and is still practiced and enjoyed across India.
The card featured here is done by the Heart2Heart guest artist Rukmini. The style of rangoli is from southern part of India and it is called Muggu. Muggu is traditionally done using rice flour paste.
Rangoli patterns are vibrantly colorful depicting mythological symbols, flowers, birds, mythological events or abstract patterns. Sometimes simple geometrical patterns are drawn using dots and lines. Rangoli is widely drawn during festivals, especially Diwali. It is also drawn every day at the entrance of the home to welcome positive energies into the home. A border of Rangoli is drawn around the dining plates when people sit cross-legged on the floor for their meals, especially in the rural areas of India. A practical use of this is also to deter insects from entering the demarcated zone.
The origin of Rangoli cannot be known for sure, but there is a description of it in the Ramayana. It is stated that the people of Ayodhya decorated their streets and homes with beautiful rangolis to welcome Lord Rama when he arrived in Ayodhya with his bride Princess Sita of Mythila after their marriage ceremony. The art of rangoli thus dates back into antiquity and is still practiced and enjoyed across India.
The card featured here is done by the Heart2Heart guest artist Rukmini. The style of rangoli is from southern part of India and it is called Muggu. Muggu is traditionally done using rice flour paste.
