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Background
Rangoli is a traditional Indian art form dating back several centuries; in fact, it is said that it can be traced back as far as the Indus valley Civilisation. The word "rangoli" derives from Sanskrit, and it means "the expression of artistic vision through the joyful use of colour" or "design in colour." It is done at the entrance of households or a temple (mandirs) on auspicious occasions, especially during the festival of light called Diwali, and is hence a welcoming gesture. It also gives that little extra touch of class and beauty.The colourful patterns on the doorsteps are not just for decorative purposes; they embody a deep religious spirit too. They are often dedicated to various deities, for example, Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, or Ganesha the God of good beginnings. Mainly women practise these decorations and sacred patterns. It is an art form that is passed down from generation to generation, from mother to daughter.

Colours and Materials
Designs are set out to occupy a square, rectangle or circle to show marked protection from all sides. In the olden days, rangolis were made with rice flour and grains. The main idea behind this was to feed the ants, birds and animals as one's good deed of the day. Other natural colours were also used - turmeric for golden yellow, red and black of earth, blue of indigo and crushed leaves for green.Many other mediums such as fresh flower petals, rice grains and pulses can also be used. Nowadays, powder colours are most commonly used as can be seen in the rangoli displayed here at the British Museum. Various bright colours are employed in this art. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they are also fundamentally therapeutic and they have many meanings behind them too. The significance of colours used is explained below:

WHITE purity, coolness and safety. It is often used to make fine lines too

RED strength and energy

YELLOW richness

GREEN harmony and balance, nature

BLUE vastness and happiness, peace

ORANGE sacrifice

The technique requires much practice - a small amount of colored powder is taken between the forefinger and thumb, and then it is gently released to form fine lines, which gradually make up the entire pattern.

Floor Painting in India
Floor painting varies in style and meaning from region to region, and is recognised by different names throughout the states of India:

'BENGAL - ''Alpana

ORISSA - Thunti

SOUTH OF INDIA - Kolam

MAHARASHTRA -Rangoli

GUJARAT - Sathio

BIHAR - 'Aripan'

RAJASTHAN - 'Mandana'

UTTRAKHAND- '''Aipan'

In some parts of India, it is a daily ritual for the ladies of the house to make "kolam" and "mandana" in the courtyard. They sprinkle fresh cow dung on the recently swept ground and execute the designs with white rice powder. As well as inaugurating the day, it is also seen as an offering to the earth we live on. Traditionally, most rangoli patterns are geometrical. The designs are drawn with dots on a graph, which are then linked with flowing lines to form a pattern.

Significance of Symbols
The main structure of the rangoli is in the shape of a square. There are many other geometrical forms such as circles and triangles contained within the square, hence the connection to maths. Everything has a shape, and maths of shape is called geometry. Circles, rectangles, squares, triangles, octagons, hexagons and so on are all geometric shapes. The beauty of the rangoli lies in the fact that it cannot be preserved for long periods of time as there is no fixed base. It is an art to be enjoyed and appreciated for the moment until it is finally swept away to create a new space. In this way, this special ornamental art has its own charm and it continues to be a unique source of beauty as it is ever evolving and inspirational, thus allowing one's imagination to flow incessantly.

Types of Rangoli
Flower rangoli: The cutting edge type of Rangoli which is made by the wonderful petals of flowers at the front entryway of house. Blossom Petals Rangoli is extremely eye satisfying alongside wonderful aroma of flowers like roses ,marigolds and lotus. Amid the celebration of Onam in Kerala, its the one of the real fascination of celebration known as Onam Pookalam.

Chowk rangoli: Chowk purn is the oldest form of Rangoli in India, which is still made by old woman on the occasion of welcoming guest,Poojas like Gangour, Chhath pooja,Styanarayan katha  etc. It is made by flour of wheat ,vermilion and turmeric, making chawk is considered very auspicious and it is also said that it pleases god and goddess.

Free hand rangoli: This is a standout amongst the most widely recognized and celebrated type of Rangoli which can be found in every home in every event made by the assistance of diverse colors of sand. free hand rangoli help to craft easy and simple rangoli within less time. Its otherwise called ever green type of Rangoli.

Dotted Rangoli: Dotted Rangoli means the design which is made by making dots in equal lines and equal numbers in different shapes like square,circular,star. Later it is filled with beautiful colors and get a traditional design mostly made in south India.

Alpana: It is the most auspicious kinds of Rangoli which is made by the grinned paste of rice. The specialty of this Rangoli is that it is made by the help of only three fingers, Mostly design by only Bengali people on the occasion of Durga pooja and Dipawali to welcome goddess laxmi’s.

Wooden Rangoli: This pattern of Rangoli is come with the fixed set of things like, flower,birds leaf etc, which can be arranged at the wall or floor.

Floating Rangoli: The modern and youngest form of in which diyas, flower,candles float on the water of bowels. Even now water colors are also used and its look very beautiful.

Glass Rangoli: It is not as much as popular but during the no time one can use the ready-made painted glasses in different shape and size to make a quick rangoli.

Rangoli Tips and Tricks
1. Use chalk to put dots and draw the rangoli design outline if its dry and smooth floor. It helps in completing the rangoli design faster.

2. Use tea filter to fill the color into the rangoli design.

3. Use Mehndi cones to fill the color into the rangooli design. Mehndi cones help yo fill the color more accurately and easily.

4. Flower petals of different colors (golden marigolds, bright red roses) can be used to add that extra dimension to your rangoli design.

5. One can put a glass of appropriate size to put over the frame is essential to prevent damage as wellas it will increase the glaze of Kolam (rangoli design). 6. Make white outlines to enhance the rangoli design.

7. One can also make a stencil of Rangoli. For this take a cardboard and draw the design one want to make and cut out the design. So any time one can make that design just sprinkle colour in the cardboard and the design is ready.