Rangoli

Hey Guys,

Third largest festival on the planet called the Diwali (celebrated by Indians) is on its way.... This is an ocassion to be designed with RANGOLI.

This is an art meaning Lines of colors mostly practised by Indian Women .

Colored sandy powders are sprinkled and filled to arrange several designs and portraits which is mesmerising... one should always visit such rangoli festivals or exhibitions....

They are solely done using hand else with simple tools like dotted maps for outlining the designs. The outlining, mixing and making of various colors, gently pouring and filling them onto the outlined shapes on ground and ultimately shadding them requires a dedicated attention and a very steady hand motion.

It is practised in OPEN AIR which makes this art a real challenge for a newbie.

There are several ways to make a rangoli like using colored petals of flowers arranged on ground OR on still water. Rangoli is also drawn on sticky hot wax using sandy powders (where it is impossible to swipe the color powder once it is filled) and immersed under shallow water to get the 3D magnified effect.

Drawing rangoli is one of the holiest things Indians consider to do while celebrating Diwali apart from lighting houses with diyaas and candles, buying Gold (World's highest trading and shopping of Gold is done during this festival) or praying money goddess (Laxmi) and cracking fireworks.

If you have an Indian neighbour then during Diwali look for the Rangoli nearby .. you will realise how fragile but lovely art that is....
.... And next day the same rangoli would would be replaced by a new design

For more see these links

Books: Painted Prayers Womens Art
by Stephen P. Huyler

Pitcure
http://images.google.co.in/images?q=Rangoli+pictures&hl=en&lr=&sa=N&tab=ii&oi=imagest

Info Links:
http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/rangoli/index.htm

Enjoy Diwali and Rangoli ....