Rangoli is one of the most popular art forms in India. A Rangoli is a colorful and symmetrical design or motif made with finely ground colors. In Indian culture god, guests, and visitors occupy an extraordinary place, where Rangoli is an expression of warm hospitality. Rangoli is made near the entrance of the house to welcome guests. In a traditional household, the lady of the house starts her daily chores after purifying herself with a morning bath then she draws a Rangoli in front of the house. Her routine begins with this ritual. The term Rangoli is derived from the words Rang (color) and aavalli (creepers) that means colored creepers or row of colors.
I always loved Rangoli, and although I never made one, I observed very passionately. At one level, these motifs look mechanical when people make them, but they are very symbolic. There is a warmth of hospitality and sentiments in choosing the colors early morning. I wonder what thoughts would be in the mind of a lady, when she decides her motif to draw and color it? Are her hands her voice?
I feel we all are colorful motifs of nature. We may think of ourselves like colors filled in a bowl, or bundles of colored threads that are staked on a shelf - a passive being, until we give some constructive cause to our own life. I won’t dwell on the philosophical debate over the words cause, reason, purpose because with “cause” here I only mean a motive, a goal, an action. This cause works like a lady who makes a rangoli from the colors that are filled in the bowl, or a weaver who makes a beautiful motif with those threads. Different causes make each life a different motif. This purpose doesn’t have to be big.
When I see in the evening, spread out colors of Rangoli on the ground, it all looks like a colorful sky at the end of the day. I feel that’s the way life should be -A beautiful motif which should fade colorfully. Here is an ode :
An ode to Rangoli
Rajshree
Red, white, green, blue, pink
Violet, yellow, orange, black
Colors are filled in small bowls and
Wait for morning’s golden touch.
Bangle’s music, rhythm of lines,
Caresses of a scarf.
Flow of colors from the
Skilled fingers and thumb,
take vivid shape.
Parrot, elephant, flower, lamp
Triangle, circle, diamond
Colorful creation in a square is
Rangoli
Ordinary days or festivals,
On the door-front, Rangoli
Welcomes gods and mortals,
Watches hawkers and baggers
Crawling baby, curious child,
Careless youth, careful adult.
From dawn to dusk it
Hears prayers in doorbells.
Rangoli, thoughtful rhythm of lines
Predestined to mix with dust
Or to follow the footsteps and
Slowly, colorfully fades as
Dusk melts into the night.