Use of interior patterns during festivities in India - Rangoli

Rangoli is the most popular form of powder art in India. The word rangoli can be defined as “rag” which denotes color and “goli” denoted pattern of color. Rangoli art was used in ancient paintings and on walls inside the house. This powder comes in various colors, mostly from vegetable dyes. The powdered color can be used with grains and pulses or directly to make decorative patterns in the house, but it can also be mixed with water and a much more fine and lasting design can be achieved through this process. The women in the house create a floral and sometimes geometric pattern on the floor either in the courtyard of the house or on the entrance of the house. Sometimes the pattern would also be inspired from nature, peacocks, fruits, creepers and flowers. Rangoli is called by various names in different parts of India, for example in Bengal it is called Aplana; in Andhrapradesh it is called Muggu and so forth. The same colors are used for Rangoli as for the festival Holi. There are many mythological stories that show the use of rangoli but the most striking is when god extracted mango juice to use as paint and he drew a figure of a woman which was much more beautiful than the maidens in heaven. Existence of ancient floor paintings still remains in excavations. The designs show the unique perception of direction and esthetic in that space. But the reason behind this culture of making rangoli was started by the Buddhist and the Hindu deities in order to bring good luck, healthy life and wealth. Swastika signs are very famous in rangoli designs, as it is sign of life. In all rangoli is a warm expression of hospitality in Indian culture.  During Diwali-festival of lights people make rangoli early in the morning outside their houses and the guest come by and greet each other and exchange presents. Ultimately rangoli created an amiable interior atmosphere during the festivities for the visiting guests and people residing in the space.