PC721 - Approaches to Culture and Communication

Rangoli - as a Social Practice

Submitted by: ID No.: Date: Jinisha Gajjar 201114007 30th November 2011

Rangoli - as a Social Practice

Brief Rangoli is an Indian traditional art, which is generally created on floor on some festive occasions. The term Rangoli is derived from Sanskrit words, Rang and aavali which refer to rows of colours. From ancient times, beautiful Rangoli patterns and designs are made on the entrances of Indian homes for beautifying them and welcoming the guests. It is also considered a symbol of
E-Book: Rangoli: Elder Women Creating Sacred Geography by Catherine Cartwright - Jones

good-luck. The traditional design and motifs of Rangoli has undergone some changes through time. I came across an e-book Rangoli: Elder Women Creating Sacred

Geography by Catherine Cartwright - Jones after reading it I came to know about significance of Rangoli in our culture. In this paper I will address the question How the cultural context of making a Rangoli has transformed from ritual into art form over the years? What social context it has in our culture and how do recent trends are affecting the traditional values of it? Significance of Colours in India Over time, colours in India have become synonymous with religion an expression of faith and beliefs. India is diverse and culturally vibrant country; it is perhaps the common, simple expressions of colour that hold together the multitudes of outlooks, lifestyles, and traditions. The symbolism of colour stands out and controls every aspect of life in India, be it religion, politics, festivals, or celebrations. In India it is the east, west, north or south colour and culture go hand in hand. From the deep orange of marigold flowers that adorn almost every occasion to the deep hues of red those decks up the bride on her most important day. There are some typical classifications of colour to be found in India. Black in India has connotation with lack of desirable, evil, negativity, and inertia. It represents anger and darkness which is associated with the absence of energy, barrenness and death.

Rangoli - as a Social Practice

Black is used as a representation of evil and is often used to ward off evil. This can be found in an age old custom amongst Indians where an infant or, for that matter, anyone looking really spectacular is often traditionally blessed with a little black dot on the chin or under the ear to ward off the evil eye. White is the absence of colour, and is worn widows. It is the acceptable colour at funerals and ceremonies that mark death in the family. It reflects the basic quality of the colour itself, in principle; white, as a colour, repels all light and colours and therefore, when a widow wears white, she disconnects herself from the pleasures and luxuries of active and normal participation in society and life around her. White is also widely accepted as the colour of peace and purity. Colour is the most important element of India. From bright colourful clothes to beautiful and creative paintings, pottery and handicrafts, from mouth watering cuisines to the seasons and festivals, it all reflects the distinctive and rich culture and colourful spirit of the people of India. One such tradition is Rangoli which is made since ancient time. Basically it is a floor painting made using colored sand, flowers, clay lamps or rice. It is one such creative expression which is found in all parts of the country. Rangoli is an art of making attractive, innovative designs on the entrance of the house - as a symbol of welcoming guest. Indians also have tradition of welcoming guest in grandeur. This can be seen during marriages and festivals. History and Origin of Rangoli The legend of Rangoli is mentioned in the earliest Indian dissertation on the painting of Chitralakshana. According to this legend, the son of a high priest died and thus, the whole kingdom was engrossed with sorrow. Everyone prayed to Lord Brahma, who was touched by the prayers and asked the King to paint the image of the boy so that he might breathe life into the boy. With this, the first Rangoli was made and since then, Rangolis are prepared on every major Hindu festival. The colorful tradition of making Rangoli dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization. Rangolis were often drawn with coarse rice flour since it served as a food source to ants and crows. Rice flour is seen as an offering to Lakshmi, the

Rangoli - as a Social Practice

goddess of wealth. The goddess has the power to attract prosperity and to prevent poverty from entering the home. However according to historians in the non-mythical age, Rangoli has its origin in the state of Maharashtra, from where it spread across different parts of the country. Rangoli is the popular floor art of India. It is an auspicious art of decorating courtyards and prayer halls in India drawn mainly by women and girls. The designs are then colored with various colored powdered dyes. Although this floor-art is known as Rangoli commonly in many parts of India, it is known as Kolam in Tamil Nadu, Muggulu in Andhra Pradesh, Rangavalli in Karnataka, Pookalam in Kerala, Chowkpurana in Uttar Pradesh, Mandana in Rajasthan, Aripana in Bihar, Saathiyo in Gujarat and Alpana in Bengal. Significance of Kolam Kolam is a free hand drawing and a traditional form of art. These designs are believed to produce positive cosmic forces which will improve the lot of people who dwell in the house. We can also interpret it in the modern context as a sign of welcome to all people who come to the house. They denote a prayer Let there be happiness & cheerfulness when anybody steps into the house. If there is an artistic design, nobody will make the place dirty! It is supposed to prevent evil elements from entering the house. This is specially taken care of by the red Kaavi (red bricks paste) lines drawn around the white kolam. The red kaavi lines are supposed to block the negative energy. Thus the white kolam surrounded by red kaavi lines, separates the auspicious, pure, protected, and safe world of the home from the inauspicious, impure, unprotected, and dangerous world of the outside. For special occasions limestone and red brick powder to contrast are also used. Though Kolams are usually done with dry rice flour, for longevity, dilute rice paste or even paints are also used. Modern interpretations have accommodated chalk, and the latest "technology" in kolams is actually vinyl stickers.

Rangoli - as a Social Practice

Significance of Mandana Mandana is form of Rangoli made in Rajasthan. There are different patterns for some occasion such a pattern depicts female
Fig. A

creative energy (Fig. A). Rajasthani women draw this pattern to invoke Baladevi, the goddess of children, so they will become pregnant (Fig. B). This simple pattern is intended to bring pregnancy (Fig. C). Rajasthan floor patterns are usually geometric, using
Fig. B

infinitely expansible patterns to fill large spaces of time. The designs are symbolic which includes geometrical patterns, with lines, dots, squares, circles, triangles, the swastika, lotus, trident, fish, conch shell, footprints (supposed to be of goddess Lakshmi), creepers, leaves, trees, flowers, animals. A Rangoli is bordered by a lotus design, to represent the goddess Lakshmi. The lotus is also symbolic for the beginning of life. The reason for using powder or sand as a medium for creating Rangoli (and its resulting fragility) is sometimes thought to be a metaphor for the impermanent of Life and Maya. The colours traditionally were derived from natural dyes - from barks of trees, leaves, indigo, etc. However, today, synthetic dyes are used in a range of bright colours. A Rangoli design usually has a geometric shape, which is supposed to denote the infinity. Every designs made in Rangoli is a sign which signifies a cultural aesthetic of that person. Transition of Materials In recent trends, stencils of paper, plastic and metal tubes are available in market. With its help one can make Rangoli easily, but some of them dont know the significance of Rangoli they are making.
Paper stencils of Rangoli designs A vendor selling Rangoli stencils on a roadside Rangoli colours available on the streets Fig. C

Rangoli - as a Social Practice

Preserving and Popularizing Tradition Vijayalakshmi Mohan is a Guinness World Record holder who has made our country proud by making Worlds largest Rangoli pattern measuring 2,756 sq ft (256 sq m) on 3rd August 2003 at Whampoa Community Club, Singapore. Vijayas Motto1: Use your fingers as your paint brushes and the floor as your canvas and enter the Wonderful World of Rangoli Swastik Rangoli Kalakar Group where some Rangoli artists based in Vadodara started working collectively makes contemporary type Rangoli pictures on various subjects such as portraits of world famous celebrities, figures, landscapes, and still-life are made by us in the exhibitions. They also make Rangoli in Water. Famous local brands like Premji Amba and C.H.Jewellers who are trusted names in clothing and jewelry in the city sponsor this group in their effort of making Rangoli. Basically traditional product selling companies are encouraging this new art which innovates on the designs in their products.
Feb 16 2011 an artist makes a Rangoli of Sachin Tendulkar during an ongoing ten-day Rangoli exhibition at Sanskar Kendra, Paldi in Ahmedabad Certificate given by Singapore Book Records to make Longest Rangoli in Singapore with group of 950 people with Rangoli size 1800 sq m

traditional rangoli; to highlight their own ability to innovate and bring in modern

Pictures of Rangoli exhibition during Diwali 2010 at Kirti Mandir, Vadodara

Rangoli - as a Social Practice

Observations on the basis of Interview I interviewed to a group of people about what they know about Rangoli and their views about recent trends affecting traditional values of Rangoli. Lavanya Iyer learned Rangoli from her mother and grandmother, her first Rangoli was Lord Krishnas feet for Janmashtami festival. She doesnt know any one particular design, but her grandmother and aunt used to do typical Rice Rangoli outside their house which was square in design. Rupali Saxena: She learned from her friends her first Rangoli attempt was freehand she believes Rangoli adds colours of joy in our lives and she also found difference in doing Rangoli because now stencils are available in the market. Nidhi Dhanawat also found difference in Rangoli was basic types but now people come up with different ideas to make Rangoli. Not only colors are used but flowers, Diyas etc. are made useful for the designs. My sister Bhumi learned Rangoli from her friends during her college. She started doing it in college for decorating the stage or the steps of the building for special occasions like convocation or engineers day in CEPT. Growing up she remembers her neighbor used to make a base by smearing mud on the tiles (lippan) and then make Rangoli using the traditional dot pattern. When I asked her did she find any difference in Designs of Rangoli made before and now she said that its less traditional and mostly people dont know the significance of the drawings they are making.

Rangoli - as a Social Practice

Mind Map

Idea for Proposed Design Looking at the changing cultural context of Rangoli and the need to interest a new generation Rangoli, I feel that a Web Application could be a suitable design solution, for communicating the cultural and ritual associations of the rangoli with various occasions.

Rangoli - as a Social Practice

Such a web application would require the user to register for its services, and would then guide him or her in the making of Rangolis specific to certain occasions and celebrations. This will be done by updating the user about the upcoming occasion by means of e-mail or sms alerts and the providing detailed information regarding the celebration, the kind of Rangoli to be made, its meaning and the materials to be purchase or prepared to make the same. Alternately, the user may also key in the type of event he or she wants to make a Rangoli for and the app will suggest suitable Rangoli patterns that match the significances of the event or occasion.

Rangoli - as a Social Practice

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Bibliography 18th October 2011 Rangoli: Elder Women Creating Sacred Geography by Catherine Cartwright-Jones http://www.hennapage.com/henna/encyclopedia/Rangoli/RangoliHPfree.pdf http://www.varnamela.com/start.php?page=basic http://www.swastikRangoli.com/index1.html ___________________________________________________________________ Citation
1

Taken from Varnamela - Vijaya Mohan Guinness Holder in Rangoli

http://www.varnamela.com/start.php?page=basic ___________________________________________________________________ Image Source http://www.swastikRangoli.com/2010/exhibition10.html http://photo.outlookindia.com/images/gallery/20110216/sachinRangoli_20110216.jpg http://bellurramki18.wordpress.com/2007/05/09/rangoli-the-art-of-floor-painting/