Origin Of Diwali Rangoli
It is believed that this unique form of art originated in the coastal state of Maharashtra. According to a popular legend recorded in Chitralakshana, the earliest Indian treatise on painting, when the son of a mighty King's high priest died, the king was distressed at his dear friend's loss. Since the king was a good and virtuous man, Brahma, Lord of the Universe asked the king to paint the likeness for the boy so that he Brahma could breath life into him. Thus was born the first Rangoli ever.
Indian Gods are often portrayed as colorful characters with a great appetite for life and all its joys. Legend has it that one fine day God happened to be in one of his extremely creative moods. He chanced upon a mango tree and extracted the juice out of it. Using that juice as paint he painted a picture of a woman so sensuous and beautiful that it put all the maidens in heaven at shame.
Diwali Rangoli Patterns
Rangolis are created in Indian houses, particularly in rural villages, all year round. However, it is a tradition to paint a Rangoli at the entrance of one's home during Diwali with unique Diwali Rangoli Patterns. This is done because it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi visits well-lit and decorated homes on Diwali to bless its members. Therefore, people make colorful Rangolis to welcome this benign Goddess and to usher in the New Year with color in their life. Rangoli also has a religious significance, enhancing the beauty of the surroundings and spreading joy and happiness all around.
Rangoli Patterns are usually designed to resemble Nature like Peacocks, flowers, swans, mangos and creepers. Traditionally the colors were derived from natural sources like barks of trees, flowers and roots. However today they are synthetically manufactured. Besides that a host of other ingredients like rice, chili, turmeric, cereal and pulses to are used to further enhance the beauty of the Rangoli and to create a 3-D effect.
Rangolis have often been credited as one of the most beautiful art forms in the world. The sheer texture and structure of the paintings is unbelievable as is also the subtle color combinations. Women learn to make Rangolis from an early age and it is almost like a family heirloom passed through the ages.
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