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| Rangoliorkolam,indianexpress.com |
Above image: Rangoli, kolam, alpana, muggu and madana refer to the artistic diagram drawn on floors in front of homes or temples with rice flour, by the women on festive occasions......
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| Kolam at Andal Temple, Pudunagaram en.wikipedia.org |
Rangoli brings out two aspects - beauty - elaborate designs and patterns created by the intuitive mind. Spirituality - it has religious connotations; it is associated with religious festivals and also rituals associated with auspicious family functions. So rangoli emphasizes the combination of these two aspects.
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| Rangoli. beautyhealthtips.in |
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| A simple kolam in front of a house, Tamil Nadu. en.wikipedia.org |
Basic materials used to make rangoli are colored rice flour, colored sand or flower petals. Especially on festive occasions such as Diwali (Deepawali), Karthigai Deepam, Onam, Pongal or Sangaranthi and other Indian festivals Kolam or Rangoli designs will be impressive and awe-inspiring, bearing testimony to the sensitivity of the person to the religious aspects and his aesthetic vision. The Indian scriptures and Puranas mention about the evolution of this traditional art forms. The traditional designs with added innovations are passed on from one generation to the next, keeping the art form of Kolam or Rangoli alive. Such art forms enrich the residential areas and neighborhood and add zest to the sanctity of the temple premises.
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| Women drawing Meenakshi temple, Madurai, thehindu.com |
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Rangoli or Kolam indianexpress.com |
'Rangoli', a Sanskrit word, has different names in different states. In South India, it is known as Kolam, Alpana in Bengal, Aripana in Bihar, Madana is Rajasthan, Muggu in Andhra Pradesh, etc
Rangoli, known by various names across India such as Kolam in Tamil Nadu, Alpana in Bengal, Aripana in Bihar, Madana in Rajasthan, and Muggu in Andhra Pradesh, is one of the oldest and most cherished traditional art forms in Hindu culture. The word "Rangoli" comes from the Sanskrit words “Ranga” meaning color and “Avali” meaning row or line, signifying rows of colorful patterns. It is primarily created on the ground in front of houses, temples, or community spaces, especially during religious festivals and auspicious occasions. Believed to have originated in Maharashtra, Rangoli gradually spread across the subcontinent, becoming deeply integrated with Hindu religious and cultural practices.
The making of Rangoli is not merely a decorative art but is steeped in spiritual symbolism. It combines two aspects: beauty, expressed through elaborate designs and vibrant colors, and spirituality, reflected in its association with rituals, festivals, and family traditions. Hindu scriptures and Puranas mention this art form, with a famous legend attributing its origin to Lord Brahma. According to Chitra Lakshana, when the chief priest’s son of a kingdom died, people prayed intensely to Brahma to bring him back. Brahma asked them to draw a lifelike image of the boy on the floor. Pleased with their devotion, he infused life into the drawing, thus giving rise to the art of Rangoli as a symbol of divine grace and hope.
Traditionally, Rangoli is drawn with rice flour, colored powders, or natural materials like flower petals, turmeric, or sand. The use of rice flour had both symbolic and practical purposes—it represented prosperity while also feeding ants and birds, thereby reminding humans of their duty toward other living beings. The designs vary from simple geometric shapes to intricate depictions of deities, flowers, conch shells, and birds. On special festivals like Diwali, Karthigai Deepam, Pongal, Sankranti, and Onam, Rangoli designs become elaborate and colorful, often covering large areas. During Diwali, it is common to place oil lamps within the Rangoli patterns to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, believed to bring wealth and prosperity.
In Tamil Nadu, the Margazhi month (December–January) has a special significance for Kolam. Women rise early in the morning to draw Kolams in front of their homes as a devotional offering, with young unmarried girls particularly making them in the hope of being blessed with a suitable marriage. In Kerala, the Onam festival is celebrated with Pookkalam, a floral Rangoli created over ten days, symbolizing joy and prosperity. In Rajasthan, Mandana designs are painted on walls and courtyards, while in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, the Muggu becomes a daily household practice, often passed on through generations.
Rangoli is also strongly linked to rituals beyond festivals. It is commonly displayed during weddings, housewarmings, and the inauguration of new businesses as an auspicious sign. Conversely, when a death occurs in a household, Rangoli is not drawn until the mourning period of 10 to 13 days is over, marking respect for the departed soul.
This folk art represents not just creativity but also hospitality, as it is drawn to welcome both guests and deities into the home. The patterns serve as a medium to invoke blessings, with Goddess Lakshmi especially believed to enter homes adorned with Rangoli. Over time, innovations in design and materials have emerged, but the essence of Rangoli remains unchanged—it is a living tradition combining devotion, aesthetics, and cultural continuity. Rangoli thus reflects Hinduism’s ability to integrate art into daily spiritual practice, offering beauty to the eye and sanctity to the heart.
https://navrangindia.blogspot.com/2016/05/a-hindu-tradition-rangoli-or-kolam-some.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rangoli hinduism
https://timescontent.timesofindia.com/photo/feature/Mylapore-Kolam-Festival/729524
