Looking for an easy rangoli tutorial for Ganesh Chaturthi?
Need to draw a rangoli this vinayaka chaturthi, but don’t know how?
Want to learn how to draw a rangoli minus the fuss?
Can’t draw a straight line, but want to try your hand at rangoli?
Don’t worry, we have got your back. Today, we will tell you how to draw rangolis that are both pretty and easy. All you have to do is follow the instructions and you will be creating beautiful rangolis like a pro in time for this year’s Ganesh pooja.
Rangoli/kolam/kalam/aripoma/mandana is a part of the holy rituals and customs followed by Hindus in India. It is believed that this folk art form existed even before sculpting and painting. You can use rangolis to decorate the entrance of the house on the festive occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi (or any festival/ auspicious occasion).
The word rangoli comes from the words rang (colour) and aavali (row). So rangoli means a row of colours.
I learnt the art of rangoli from my mother. She loves drawing the patterns using dots. We used to make rangoli on festive and auspicious occasions, especially during Diwali.
To make the rangoli (the traditional way), one needs to take a pinch of powder and disperse it carefully, using the thumb and index finger, to make dots or patterns. Once that is done, we need to fill it with colors to make it more attractive. To fill it up with colors, we need to disperse colors in the pattern we have drawn, using a consistent hand movement.
With changing times, easy ‘Rangoli Stencil Strainers’ are available which enable us to make the rangoli super quick and perfectly. I have a collection of stencils at home and use them frequently to save time and energy. These stencils are made out of metal, plastic or even cloth.
There are hollow dots on the stencil through which the colors fall through, making the pattern on the stencil. Usage of stencils does ensure that the rangoli looks neat. This is beneficial for people who do not have a steady hand or are beginners looking to create complex designs.
One can refer to the variety of rangoli books and images available on the internet to draw inspiration. You can also create your own pattern and make it. Just ensure that the designs should have balance and a symmetric flow of colors.
For inspiration, you can also check out the intricate rangoli pattern made by RBI employees for the farewell of RBI governor Raghuram Rajan. The art is still going strong.
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- Christmas snowflakes star DIY
Where to make Rangoli and Why?
Rangoli has been around for ages, but what is the significance behind these intricate designs?
The design of the rangoli may vary according to the part of India you are in, but the rationale behind drawing remains the same.
The rangoli designs are supposed to be symmetric. I am talking about the traditional ones, not the new age designs. The designs look simple, but the purpose was to calm the mind and bring in positive energy and prosperity.
Generally, rangolis are made at the entrance of the house, so that it helps to influence the mindset of the people who enter the house, in a positive way. Apart from entrances, it is also made in puja rooms and places where pujas/ rituals are being conducted. The reason behind this also the same. If correctly drawn, the rangoli can help to enhance the concentration power.
All these have strong scientific backing and so don’t dismiss rangolis as just another thing you have to do for a puja.
Easy rangoli tutorial for Ganesh Chaturthi (Dots method & Stencil method):
Materials required:
- White rangoli powder
- Rangoli powder (in your choice of colors)
- Flowers / Lamps (optional)
- Stencils (if you want to make patterns using stencil)
You may get the rangoli powders from any local departmental / pooja stores in neighbourhood. The rangoli color powders are available in multiple colors & most of them have synthetic base. If you aren’t keen on using synthetic colors, you can use rice powder, haldi, kumkum etc.
Rangoli colors
How to make rangoli using dots:
#1. Select a pattern or design that you want to make. One can also follow the theme depending on the occasion for which the Rangoli is to be made. If you are planning to make a big pattern, I would suggest to draw it on paper first and then start.
#2. Clean the floor. One can also coat the base with gerua/terra cota color. Traditionally a mix of mud & cow dung was used to make the base coat.
#3. Make the dots. You have to make sure that the dots are evenly placed.
#4. Draw the pattern by joining the dots using white rangoli powder.
#5. Fill up the design using colors of your choice
#6. Enhance the design further by adding flowers, glitter and lamps.
Steps to make rangoli using stencils:
#1. Select the pattern and stencils. One can make a bigger pattern using a combination of stencils too.
#2. Clean the floor well.
#3. Put the stencil on the floor. Do ensure that you do not move the stencil. If possible, you can hold the stencil with one hand so that it doesn’t move.
#4. Take the desired color and put the color over stencil and spread it evenly.
#5. When you have covered the entire pattern, lift the stencil carefully.
#6. Your rangoli is ready! The pattern can be enhanced further by using flowers & lamps.
The rituals and customs we follow, irrespective of the religions we follow, have reasons. But with the passage of time, we have forgotten the true meaning and reason behind these rituals and have started following it mechanically. Not knowing the significance may lead to us disregarding certain rituals and considering it as a waste of time.
Rangoli may seem like just another trivial thing we do for a festival and we may think of swapping it in favor of fancy, store bought décor. Those may look pretty, but won’t serve the purpose. So brighten up your festivals with a proper, traditional rangoli.
Do try out making the Rangavalli (Sanskrit word for Rangoli) in the coming festive season and let us know your feedback. Do send us pictures of your rangolis as well. You can try it out if you are doing Ganesh pooja at home.
Hope you all liked this post on simplified and easy rangoli tutorial for Ganesh Chaturthi.
Happy Festive Season to all!!!
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