Some traditions become amusing with every passing year, just like Rangoli. Rangolis are something every Hindu has been astonished by since childhood. During all the major festivals of Hindu religion, a beautiful set of colors drawn in an incredible pattern can be found on the main entrance.
Just like every person in a family shows a different personality, these colours add a different charm to every occasion. Rangoli is an art, which requires a lot of practice, time and creativity but the beauty of this art is that even if a young child decides to create it, he/she will end up making a great impression.
India is known for ‘Unity in Diversity’ and there is a proper justified reason for it but this is what makes India an incredible country. Proving the phrase, every corner of India has different styles and techniques of glamourizing their festivals with Rangoli. Here is a list of the most trending Rangoli styles for this year, from different parts of the country:
Mandana from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh
If you have ever visited the tribal areas of the heart of India (Madhya Pradesh) or Rajasthan, you may have come across the concept of Mandana. Interestingly these wall and floor paintings are also considered as Rangoli for many families till today. These are the oldest forms of tribal art that are lighting up with a spark again in recent years. Mandana simply means to draw and as the name suggests, it does not require a proper training to practice this art. The simple and classic look of this art is bringing it back on the trending sections.
The making of this art requires a block plastered with clay, which is Cow-dung and water, and then painted with red paint or geru (made of bricks), after completing a base, any design that is wished for is painted on the ground with chalk powder.
If you’re looking up to give this Diwali a complete traditional look so that even the younger ones of the family know about Indian cultures, Mandana is an excellent option.
Chowk Purana from Uttar Pradesh
Was geometry your favorite subject in school? If yes, you will definitely like this one. Chowk Purana is a traditional art of Uttar Pradesh which is also known as symmetrical Rangoli. Have you ever seen someone creating a base for the Rangoli with a dotted base, well! They are up for a chowk purana. We have to agree that pulling out a perfect Rangoli with this style ain’t easy.
The method of making it is quite simple but complicated at the same time. Create a base with planting dots at equal distances with plane white Rangoli and then connect them with each other as per the design formed by you. The only last step missing is filling up beautiful colors together.
Alpana from Bengal
The combination of dominating white over any dark color always acquires a special place. Just like this one sacred art form of Rangoli from West Bengal. Alpana is a unique form because the white paint in this form does not include colors from petals or dyes but it includes a liquid paste of rice powder mixed with water. If you’re a person who isn’t much into ‘too many colors’ alpana is a unique and ideal choice for you.
Traditionally, alpana is a meaningful pattern drawn on a background of dark color with special white paste, but nowadays, people even use some fabric colors with glue to add a little longer life to the art. This art is mainly white but a pinch of some green, red forms can also be added.
Muruja/ Jhoti from Odisha
Rangolis that have a proper subject like the peacock is perfect in a different manner. Muruja is a tradition of Odisha that is mainly drawn near the sacred Tulsi plant of the house. The patterns are mostly dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lord Jagannath. Therefore, peacocks or an image of Lord Krishna or a pattern that is devoted towards the lord can easily be spotted as Muruja.
There isn’t any particular method to draw these, but if you are willing to create a Rangoli with this concept, you may need to sharpen your freehand Rangoli styles. Choice of colors plays a major role in such rangolis and therefore ‘already planned’ would be a good status before starting.
Kolam from Tamil Nadu
Kolam may not be a sophisticated and predefined form of Rangoli but it definitely allows freedom and creativity in each and every way. Kolam forms generally include floral and white patterned rangolis, depending upon the choice and the occasion. These are general freestyle designs that do not have any limited boundaries or defined rules. Therefore, every designer portrays their own thoughts and talent with colors on the floor.
Each and every Rangoli designed outside our houses has an identity assigned to it, which many of us may not be even aware of. Diwali is all about fun and festivity but there is one thing that may bother you every evening, choice of design, choice of colors, and choice of style for a Rangoli. An incredible Rangoli can astonish every mind in the locality and can even force neighbors to visit your house. If you can combine this traditional art of Rangoli with trending colors and altering tastes, there are hundreds of people out there who admire your creativity. And we hope that this article has made it easy for you to pick a name that will suit your choice! Happy Diwali folks!
