Rangoli is a traditional form of art that includes the creation of patterns and designs on the ground with the help of various materials, mainly colour powders. This traditional practice is a part of Indian culture that has been used for centuries. This has been used in various festivals, celebrations, and religious occasions. Rangoli is a variety of colours that can form a vibrant and beautiful design.
This blog will explore what rangoli is, why simple designs are often preferred, and the various types of easy rangoli designs you can use to beautify your home.
What is Rangoli?
Rangoli is a traditional Indian art form. Rangoli is traditionally created on the floor or ground with simple dots, lines, and colourful patterns, typically using materials like rice flour, limestone, quartz powder, or flower petals. It was an ancient practice to give positive vibes to the house to welcome goodness and to feed ants with rice flour, giving importance to each single and small life.
Interestingly, drawing rangoli is not just a creative ritual; it also naturally incorporates several yoga asanas through the physical postures required during the process of rangoli drawing. These include Malasana (squat position), Utkatasana (chair pose) variations, and Vajrasana (thunderbolt pose), which is very helpful in maintaining both physical health and mental health, along with decorating the house on a daily basis. This tradition is practised daily in many Hindu houses; however, in some homes, it is mostly reserved for festivals and important celebrations, as it can be time-consuming.
History of Rangoli in India
Rangoli is an art form that originated from the Indian subcontinent, and it has many stories narrating the role of Lopamudra (writer of 2 portions of the Rigveda) and Sita Mata (main lead of the Ramayana). Lopamudra asked the five elements, sky, wind, water, earth, and fire, for their colours and used them to make her dry rangoli even more vibrant. Sita used ground rice, lentils, flowers, and turmeric for her prayers, creating wet rangoli.
They first created two types of rangoli: dry rangoli and wet rangoli.
- Dry rangoli uses loose, dry materials like chalk, sand, or flour for both outlining and filling.
- Wet rangoli uses a paste that mixes powders with water or a binder, allowing for finer, more detailed designs.
Rangoli was made to decorate the entrance of homes, especially during festivals like Diwali, to welcome guests and deities and bring joy into the household. Over time, this tradition spread across India, with each region developing its own unique styles and names for rangoli, such as Alpana, Kolam, and Muggu. Rangoli designs can be simple geometric shapes, structures of deities, flowers, or flower petals created for celebrations.
Why is Rangoli important for the Home?
Cultural and Spiritual Significance
- Rangoli is traditionally drawn at the entrance of homes to welcome prosperity and positive energy.
- It is believed to ward off negativity and evil spirits, especially during festivals and auspicious occasions.
- Many people create rangoli to invite Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity, into their homes during Diwali and other festivals.
Enhances Home Decor During Festivals
- Rangoli adds vibrant colours and intricate designs, beautifying the home environment.
- It is a prominent decorative element during festivals like Deepawali, Pongal, and Navratri, making celebrations more festive and joyful.
Encourages Creativity and Family Bonding
- Making rangoli is a creative activity that allows individuals to express their artistic skills. Creating rangoli can be a calming activity to reduce anxiety and enhance mental clarity, while the symmetrical patterns stimulate the visual cortex, promoting focus and calmness. The intricate designs and the process of creating them engage both the left and right brain, potentially improving cognitive function.
- It is often a collaborative effort, bringing together family members of all ages and fostering togetherness and bonding.
Why is It Needed for Simple Designs?
- You can’t draw a wide and complicated rangoli daily in this busy lifestyle, but you can give yourself a break from stressful thoughts and small exercises for your body and brain by creating simple rangoli designs in the front yard of your house or in the pooja room as a fresh start to your morning routine.
- Simple rangoli designs are easy to create and also provide more accessibility to beginners and people who have busy lifestyles. They need a smaller amount of materials and a small amount of time, and they are also perfect for the visuals of the home.
- By selecting a simple design, you can enjoy the process of rangoli creation without any pressure to get a perfect result. It will be easier to experiment with different patterns and styles that can help you develop your artistic skills over a period of time. Along with that, simple rangoli designs are versatile and can be used for different occasions, which makes them convenient and beautiful, along with your home decorations.
Materials Needed for Simple Rangoli
Before starting the rangoli, it is important to gather all the necessary items. Some of them include,
- Traditional materials: Rice flour, coloured powders, flowers, diyas(Oil lamps).
- Modern alternatives: Chalk, stencils, stickers, acrylic colours.
Selection of the Right Spot to Draw Rangoli in a House
Selection of the right spot to draw rangoli in a house. In the good old days, the front yard was thoroughly cleaned, and a layer of cow dung was applied to give the floors a fresh and earthy look. Rangoli was then drawn over it as a symbol of welcome. Traditionally, rangoli is created to invite positive energy and blessings into the home. That’s why it’s often drawn at the threshold, in the front yard, and in the courtyard to greet guests and deities with good fortune. For prayer offerings, the pooja room and even the walls are decorated with special types of rangoli.
In South India, mainly Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka traditional house walls will be decorated with dot rangoli drawn in red paint on a white wall background.
In modern homes, choosing the right spot for rangoli involves considering visibility and lighting. Ideal locations include the living room, balcony, or near the main entrance. Before you begin, ensure that the surface is clean, flat, and dry. If you’re creating rangoli indoors, pick a spot with minimal foot traffic to prevent it from getting accidentally smudged.
Top 9 Simple Rangoli Designs for Home
1. Dot Rangoli Designs
It is one of the simplest and most traditional forms of Rangoli. Dot rangoli is mainly involved in creating designs by using small dots. Dots will be placed in a specific pattern to form shapes, flowers, or any animals. The term involves the creation of a group of dots and then connecting them with lines or curves to form different patterns. Common combinations include 9×17, 11×11, 7×4, 5×5, and 3×5 dot grids. Beginners can start with some basic patterns, like simple flowers and stars. After a certain amount of experience, you can start trying more complex designs.
2. Freehand Floral Rangoli
Freehand rangoli is created without any guidelines or measurements. These types of designs are drawn with the imagination of artist directly on the floor. This style will improve the creativity and spontaneous thinking of the artist, making it easier for the rangoli designers who are beginners.
Some of the basics of freehand drawings are that you can start with a central design, like flowers, and expand it outwards. Here, you can use your creativity for drawings or any swirls and other decorating elements. The simple design for freehand rangoli may range from simple floral patterns to more elaborate designs. The important part is to maintain the symmetry and balance in the design.
3. Geometric Rangoli
Geometric rangoli mainly uses shapes like squares, circles, triangles, and diamonds as its base. They are easy to draw and can be combined in different ways to create innovative patterns. They mainly represent the cosmic order and harmony. The shapes can be combined to produce intrinsic patterns that have symmetry, making them perfect for a simple rangoli design.
Here are a few easy pattern ideas:
- Concentric squares: Draw multiple squares inside one another and fill each layer with alternating colours.
- Circle series: Create a sequence of circles and decorate them with colourful patterns or floral touches.
- Star-like patterns: Use triangles to form star shapes or other symmetrical designs for a striking effect.
4. Kolam-Style Rangoli
This is the oldest type of rangoli. This will be in three forms: dot-based loop rangoli, twisted loops rangoli, and line patterns rangoli.
- Loop Rangoli: This type of rangoli is drawn using a pattern of dots, loops and swirls that form beautiful interlaced patterns.
- Twisted Loops Rangoli: This involves intricate, unbroken loops that weave around a dot grid, often seeming like a single continuous line.
- Line Patterns Rangoli: This involves straight or curved lines instead of dots, creating geometric or free-flowing patterns.
These are drawn on a daily basis and hold deep cultural significance, especially during festivals like Pongal, Deepavali, and Sankranti. The art of Kolam represents patience, creativity, and devotion, blending symmetry with spirituality to create stunning geometric and free-flowing patterns.
5. Flower Petal Rangoli
Floral Rangoli mainly uses natural elements like flower petals and leaves to create a beautiful and eco-friendly design that originated from Kerala. This type of design will be frequently used during festivals like Onam and Deepawali, where fresh flowers are mostly available.
Flower petals and leaves can be collected from various types of flowers like roses, chrysanthemums, and marigolds. These flowers will be arranged in a pattern on the floor, starting from the center and working outwards. Leaves can be added to provide a green colour contrast. The flower petals can be mixed with traditional rangoli powders that can provide a variety to your design.
6. Stencil-Based Rangoli
Stencil Rangoli can be used to create more intricate designs easily and quickly. These precut templates can be used on the floor, and Rangoli powder can be used to fill the gaps. They are available in different designs, from simple shapes to complex patterns.
The steps involved in using stencil Rangoli are,
- Selection of stencil design
- The stem cell needs to be placed on the floor where the rangoli needs to be made.
- Gently fill the stencil with their rangoli powder, making sure that all the areas are covered evenly.
- Carefully lift the stencil.
7. Diya Rangoli for Festivals
Diya or Deepa is a symbol of light and knowledge. Therefore, diya rangolis are often preferred for weddings that take place in the evening. This rangoli design often includes a single deepa or chains of small, decorative diya candles arranged to highlight the design more vibrantly. The rangoli itself is made using coloured powders, flowers, or both, and the glowing diyas make the whole design look bright and beautiful. Diya rangoli is a symbol of light winning over darkness and is also seen as a way to start a new and positive chapter in life.
8. Alpana Rangoli Design
Alpana is a traditional Bengali style of rangoli, usually made with a paste of rice and water. These designs are mostly white and feature soft, flowing patterns like spirals, lotuses, and conch shells. Alpana designs are not very colourful, but they carry deep spiritual meaning. They are often drawn around wedding altars or in the puja area. Known for their simplicity and elegance, Alpana rangolis represent purity and add a peaceful touch to the wedding décor.
9. Sanskar Bharti Rangoli
Sanskar Bharti rangoli is one of the biggest and most detailed traditional rangoli styles, originating from Maharashtra. These rangolis are ideal for covering large spaces like reception halls or the entrance of a wedding banquet. The designs are usually circular, with layers of smaller circles filled with patterns such as dots, flowers, peacocks, and leaves. Sanskar Bharti rangolis are known for their symmetry and mirror-like designs, which make them stand out with accuracy and beauty.
Tips for Making Perfect Rangoli
- Start with a clean, smooth surface.
- Use a pencil/chalk for outlines before filling in colours.
- Keep colour contrasts vibrant.
- Practice symmetry for neat designs.
On a final note, rangoli can be considered more than a decorative work, as it is used in the celebration of culture, improving creativity and providing happiness by making something creative and beautiful with your own hands. Rangolis can be used daily or occasionally. Yet, simple designs can help provide a beautiful look and also include the traditions of life in this fast-paced era.
FAQs
Yes, Rangoli can be created daily, especially simple designs that don’t require much time or materials. Many people make small, easy patterns at their doorsteps each morning to start the day on a positive note.
Basic materials include coloured powders, rice flour, and stencils. You can also use flower petals, leaves, and even small diyas for added creativity.
Freehand drawing allows you to create unique designs using your creativity. Start with basic shapes or a central motif, and build your design outward, focusing on symmetry and balance.
Definitely! Simple designs are a great way to introduce children to Rangoli. They can help with filling in colors, arranging flower petals, or using stencils to create patterns.
You can incorporate contemporary patterns, use unusual colour schemes, or even try creating Rangoli on water using floating diyas and flowers. Mixing traditional with modern elements can create unique designs.
Hemali Patel