Sand Painting

Rangoli

Two Sanskrit words, rang (colour) and aavalli ('creepers') combine to create the beatutiful term rangoli which litreally means “colored creepers”. It is probabaly the most popular art form in India and is practises in almost every household. It is known by different names in different part of the country- alapana in Bengal, Aripana in Bihar, Chowkpurana in uttar Pradesh, Kolam in Kerala and mugguin Andhra Prades. However in the north it is generally in the form of wet flooer paintings while in the south it's a dry powder painting.

The impermanent nature of these paintings is a metaphor for maya(deceptive nature of life).

All these different forms of Sand Painting in different parts of the world have a lot in common- the sacred nature of them, the impermanence, spiritual motifs and the rituals involved. Yet they are as distinctive as possible. Which just goes on to prove that each artistic expression is unique.

Today sand paintings are finally getting the attention and veneration that they deserve.