Rangoli

I remember, when I was a kid I would wake up and rush downstairs to clung on either my mother or my grandmother who would be drawing rangolis at that time. I would grab on their shoulders and would sneak from behind their backs at the magnificent yet minimalistic rangoli! The muggu seemed magnificent because of the size and the perfection that went into it and yet it was minimalistic because of the countable colors used.

My grandmother was a creative soul. She was the one who designed all the rangolis drawn at my home. My granny had also published a book containing all her rangoli designs. She always carried a drawing book wherever she went and drew rangolis as and when she had a brain child. She was indeed best at her work. 
Muggu designed by my grandmother; drawn by my mother


Muggu was originated in the state of Maharashtra. Long back rangolis were drawn on a tile plastered by cow dung. Cow pie plaster essentially keeps away all the uninvited bites from mosquitoes; that's why our ancestors coated the walls of their houses with cowplop. Coming back to muggu....it is drawn on a well dried plaster of cow dung. The dark brown background uplifts the colorful rangoli

I am not experienced at drawing rangoli but, I am always very fascinated seeing people draw one. Some people, like my paternal aunt are very experienced at drawing 'carpet rangolis'. She takes a funnel and closes the smaller opening to pour some rangoli of her desired color into the funnel. She than analysis the space and then within minutes she would be done with the outline! She is damn efficient at drawing such 'giant' rangoli. The way she administers over the quantity of rangoli that would slip from the funnel leaves me mesmerized! 

Diwali is the festival when we have various types of rangoli, three to be precise; flower rangoli, carpet rangoli and one in my grandma's style. The beautifully spread colors add happiness to the day! The art of drawing rangoli is known to us for the longest time, designs and styles have changed yet, we still enjoy them!



Comments

  1. Different from all other blogs. Made me happy. Your grandmother left behind a creative legacy. A legacy that adorns the house 🏡 and makes people happy. 😃 Very well captured the legacy through words.

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  2. This took me back to my memory lane. Beautifully written.

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  3. काकूंची आठवण आली रांगोळीने.सुहानी खूप छान लिहितेस 👍

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