Popular types of Rangoli to try at home this festive season

Rangoli, a cherished and centuries-old Indian art form, graces homes, courtyards and public spaces with its vibrant and intricate designs, particularly during the festive season. These colourful patterns, created using a variety of materials, like colours, flowers and even paper, are not only visually appealing but also symbolise welcome, positivity and cultural richness. In this article, we’ll discuss different types of Rangoli that continue to enchant people during festivals and special occasions.

7 Types of Rangoli to decorate your home

Check this list of some of the most popular types of Rangoli.

Dotted Rangloi

Dotted Rangoli is often regarded as one of the simplest forms and is especially well-suited for beginners. The creative process begins with a series of dots arranged in a grid-like pattern. From here, the artist has the flexibility to either connect the dots or weave intricate patterns around them, resulting in designs that can range from repetitive geometrical shapes to delicate latticework. In some instances, vibrant colours are introduced, sometimes obscuring the original dot grid entirely within the final artwork. The essence of this style lies in achieving a sense of symmetry. Dotted kolams commonly feature geometric and polygonal designs.

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Floral Rangoli

There has been a significant trend towards using fresh flowers and leaves to create Rangoli in recent times. Flowers have always played a central role in festivals, adorning spaces as decorations and forming a part of religious offerings. Their versatility is a key feature, as they can be employed in their entirety or separated into individual petals, making them exceptionally well-suited for intricate designs. The inherent natural beauty of a floral Rangoli is often enhanced by strategically placing candles or diyas in and around it. With this floral approach, your rangoli not only looks appealing but also carries a delightful fragrance. Among the most commonly used flowers in flower rangolis, marigolds, jasmines, roses and lotuses take the lead. Varieties with numerous petals are particularly well-suited, and it’s essential to select vibrant and harmonious colours for a stunning effect.

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Quilled Rangoli

A relatively recent addition to the world of rangoli is the quilled or paper filigree rangoli. Quilling, an artistic technique, exclusively employs paper that is rolled, looped, pinched and meticulously glued together to craft intricate shapes and beautiful designs. Similar to traditional rangoli, it begins with a few fundamental shapes that are ingeniously arranged into more intricate layers. What sets quilled rangoli apart is its lightweight nature and versatility. These paper creations can be affixed to various surfaces, making them suitable as hanging wall art, centrepieces on the floor, or even embellishments for diyas. For the foundation, you can use a wide range of materials, from cardboard to old CDs. Any recycled paper will suffice, though it’s worth noting that thicker paper retains the shapes with greater precision.

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Sanskar bharti Rangoli

Sanskar Bharti is a well-known rangoli-making style originating from Maharashtra. Among the most frequently employed designs for this technique are those featuring concentric circles. Beginners often opt for these circular patterns, which can be created by filling the circles with various colours. Alternatively, those seeking a more intricate design can venture into the realm of complexity by incorporating fine lines to craft patterns.

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Stencil Rangoli

Stencils make for an excellent means of engaging children in the traditional art of rangoli. They are readily accessible in the market, featuring a wide array of patterns and designs. To create your masterpiece, simply gather your preferred rangoli colours and apply them over the stencil. The empty dots on the stencil allow the colour to trickle down, resulting in the precise design, while the rest of the colour remains neatly contained within the stencil.

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Pulse Rangoli

Increasing environmental consciousness concerning artificial dyes has sparked a resurgence of interest in natural materials, making pulse (dry grain) rangoli a popular sustainable style. This type of rangoli is typically crafted entirely from edible grains, including green and yellow mung beans, kidney beans and split peas. Far from mundane, pulse rangoli beautifully highlights the natural spectrum of colours found in various seed and grain varieties. It’s an ideal choice for involving children as well, as the use of larger grains can be more manageable for them.

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Water Rangoli

The evolution of traditional rangoli art has given rise to styles like floating or water rangolis. These designs are not only visually appealing but are also well-suited to various modern materials. One of the major advantages of floating rangoli is its efficiency; it requires less time and is easy to clean up. Typically created in a bowl or a spacious, high-sided flat pan, these water-based artworks are particularly attractive as table centrepieces or on countertops. With some patience and creativity, flower petals and leaves can be used to craft beautiful and eye-catching designs. For those with limited time, equally stunning results can be achieved by creating painted, beaded, or glitter patterns on any flat and waterproof surface, such as plastic OHP sheets.

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