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Articles: Arts and Culture | Rangoli
- Ms. Prasanthi Uppalapati
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Read about my practise of rangoli in buttler english.
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Rangoli means a form of art. We, Hindus, in India, draw certain figures before our home on the floor daily. It is a practise that Ladies(Daughters or Daughter-in-laws) woke up early, dust the floor, sprinkle the water so that the place get wet and then they used to draw figures with a special powder. In villages, Ladies mix cowdung in the water. Competitions also are being held at the time of Sankranthi Festival (January every year). Newspapers used to print daily one rangoli in the women's special. Many Rangoli books are also be sold.
I was born and brought up in a town, Nellore in Andhra Pradesh. I used to observe all the ladies in the street while they draw various figures. They used to colour them at times of festivals. I was very much interested to colour those figures. My house owner's daughter-in-law used to draw for our compound.
The Men in that street are very understanding persons. They will encourage everyone by saying that the work before their house is good. They also used to give ranks to them. They also walk carefully so that the work do not be covered by their footprints or vehicle marks.
I used to maintain a book of those figures by collecting them from many people. We were shifted to another street in the same town. I first learnt those figures and began to draw myself from 4th class. We constructed a house in the same locality after an year. I used to compete with other girls and also go all through the street to check others figures and how they draw. I used to draw at night times (because I used to wake up late usually).
After I complete drawing, I used to call my parents and brother and also the family members of my left side neighbours. My neighbour Uncle, Aunty and their daughter-in-law are so kind that they will not be disgusted with my behaviour but encourage me by saying appreciating words. They get habituated to my calling and if I do not draw any day at nights, they used to ask me why I hadn't drawn that night.
Though we used to draw at nights, sometimes we fear it may rain and all the work will drain and all the pain will go in vain. I used to pray that it shouldn't rain. Once when I first used colours for New Year(1989)(The work consists of flowers in pots and in between we write 'Happy New Year'), it started raining within 5 minutes of its completion. Then we covered it with Polythene covers. My first Rangoli with colours is a half-disappointment.
I used to think poetically (but didn't pen then) that God, my Rangoli is beautiful than your sky with moon and stars,it is beautiful than your rainbow, it is beautiful than your nature(not the persona). So silly, Isn't it? I used to smile at me when I get those memories now. These days I used to draw again. Our Servant maid used to draw for many years. I have my hands on them only on festivals. I will draw in such a way that there will be no place for anyone to keep their foot. I also shout if anyone walks on it. My Daddy used to scold laughingly that, Should we keep our foot on our heads and walk?'. Really the glance of it is more delightful because when the floor is full of that art, it is so beautiful. The beauty of the house will glow like anything.
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