Rangoli Kolam is a traditional form of Indian art that involves creating intricate designs using colored rice, flour, sand, or flower petals. It is a popular form of decoration during festivals, weddings, and other auspicious occasions in many parts of India. The word “rangoli” is derived from the Sanskrit word “rangavalli,” which means a row of colors.
Similarly, “Kolam” is a Tamil word that refers to the geometric patterns that are traditionally created using rice flour. These designs are believed to bring good luck and prosperity to homes and are often used as a form of spiritual expression. In this article, we will explore some of the best Rangoli Kolam designs.
Rangoli Kolam Designs – Various Names
Tamil Nādu: Kolam : கோலம்
Telangana: Muggulu designs: ముగ్గు
Tamil: Tharai Aalangaram : தரை அலங்காரம்
70+ Rangoli Kolam Designs 2021 / Muggulu Designs
Rangoli Kolam designs are known for their vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and geometrical symmetry. They can range from simple patterns to highly complex and detailed designs. The patterns are usually drawn on the floor or ground, and the materials used to create them can vary depending on the region and the occasion.
Although rangoli designs and Kolam are pretty similar, one fundamental difference between two is that rangoli is a freeflowing art form, whereas Kolam designs are done with dots. These designs are created by joining various dots in loops or gestures.
Scroll down for more than 70 Rangoli Kolam / Muggulu Designs for you.
Rangoli Kolam Designs / Muggulu Designs
Rangoli kolam designs are a beautiful and intricate art form that are often created on the floor using colored rice flour, sand, or flower petals. Over the years, Rangoli Kolam has evolved to include new designs and materials, such as stickers, paints, and stencils. However, the traditional art form remains a cherished part of Indian culture and continues to be passed down from generation to generation.
These designs are a common sight in homes and temples across India during festivals and special occasions. In recent years, the popularity of these designs has grown, with many people sharing images of their creations on social media.
Rangoli Kolam Designs / Muggulu Designs
These designs have a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The practice of creating them is believed to have originated in the Indian state of Maharashtra, and it has since spread to other parts of the country.
Muggulu designs can vary widely in their complexity, with some featuring simple geometric shapes and others incorporating intricate patterns and motifs. Some designs are meant to be symmetrical, while others are asymmetrical or incorporate organic shapes and forms.
Rangoli Kolam Designs / Muggulu Designs
The designs are usually created by women and girls who use their creativity and imagination to create beautiful patterns. Traditionally, Rangoli Kolam was created using only natural materials such as rice flour, turmeric, vermillion, and flower petals. However, today, people use a wide range of materials including colored powders, sand, and even paints to create these intricate designs.
The colors used in these designs can also vary, with bright and bold colors being common during festivals like Diwali, while more muted colors may be used for other occasions.
Rangoli Kolam Designs | Muggulu Designs
In addition to their decorative value, Muggulu designs also hold cultural and religious significance. They are believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the home or temple where they are created, and are often used to mark the beginning of a new year or to celebrate the harvest season.
The designs often depict themes from nature, mythology, or religious beliefs. For example, during the Hindu festival of Diwali, these designs often include images of lamps, flowers, and deities such as Lord Ganesha or Goddess Lakshmi.
These designs are not only beautiful to look at but also have spiritual significance. They are believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the home and are also considered to be a form of meditation. The act of creating a Rangoli Kolam requires concentration, focus, and attention to detail, which can help to calm the mind and promote inner peace.
History and Spread
Rangoli Kolam designs are originally from Tamil Nadu and called “Tamilakam,” which later spread to other regions of Southern India like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Now it has also spread to some parts of Goa and Maharashtra.
With the worldwide spread of Tamil Diaspora, these designs are also practiced in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Rangoli Kolam Designs / Muggulu Designs – Materials Used
Although these designs are conventionally made with rice flour (‘kolapodi’ in local language), women also use paints or dilute rice paste for these muggulu designs to last longer.
More recently, people have also started using chalk and vinyl stickers to make rangoli kolam designs. For festivities and events, women also use limestone or red brick powder for contrast in Muggulu designs. Also, you can use synthetic and natural colour powders to make a simple rangoli Kolam design.
Understanding Rangoli Kolam Designs / Muggulu Designs
The designs are mathematical and geometric drawings primarily with curved or straight lines created geometrically around a grid of dots. For festivities and special events, Rangoli maa-kolams designs are made with the use of wet rice flour.
A small clean cloth is used to create these Muggulu. This cloth is soaked into the wet rice flour, and with the smooth and continuous use of thumb and forefingers, these evenly drawn rangoli Kolam designs are created.
With wet rice flour, women in Telangana and Tamil Nadu make these beautiful Kolam designs on their doorsteps every morning. These Kolams left to take their natural course throughout the day, as they get walked over by the house members and visitors and at times blown away by wind or washed away by rain. The next morning before sunrise, the Muggulu designs from the previous day are cleaned by wiping them out with water, and new rangoli Kolams are created.
Use of Cow Dung & Purpose of Kolam / Muggulu Designs
Muggulu designs are created on the damp surface to ensure that the design holds better. Tradition has been passed down for many generations that Kolam are created on the floor layered with cow dung. Cow dung repels insects and poisonous creatures. The cow dung was spread out on the entrance floor of the house, and then rangoli was created on top. Traditional rangoli designs did not contain chemical-containing colours.
The main purpose of Kolam / Muggulu was never decoration. From tradition, Kolam designs are made daily to remind us of the harmonious co-existence with nature. Kolams were made from rice flour in the house’s front door so that birds, smaller insects, such as ants, do not have to go too far to fetch food, and they could eat it. To prevent insects and ants from entering the house, turmeric powder was used.
Creating a Muggulu or Kolam on the doorsteps symbolizes a warm invitation to everyone into the home, including Goddess Lakshmi, for prosperity and wealth.
Folklore dictates that lines must be drawn in Muggulu so that evil spirits could not enter the Muggulu design, which symbolized not letting them enter the house.
Margasira / Margahzi Kolam Competitions
Young women eagerly wait for Margasira / Margahzi. It is the time when they can show their Kolam designing skills. It is a matter of pride to make larger-scale mathematically and geometrically complex designs without lifting the handoff. In a bigger Kolam, rangoli artists display their skill by creating rangoli Kolam designs as big as the width of the road.
Flourishing of Rangoli Kolam / Muggulu Designs & Social Networking
The art of Kolam and Muggulu has further flourished with Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, and other social networking sites. Many Muggulu and Kolam artists playing a major role in spreading this art across the world today enjoy a massive fan base.
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