The dull darkness of the year will
be pushed aside as the country celebrates Diwali the festival of light, of
sweets of general merry making and yes rangoli. Rangoli that
intricate art form in which patterns are created on the floor or the ground
using materials such as coloured rice, coloured sand, quartz powder or flower
petals. It is not unusual for designs to be passed from one generation to
the next ensuring the art form and
the tradition stay alive.
This year has been marked by the virus which has changed life. Children are now
studying from home, attending classes on line while their parents earn their
daily bread negotiating deals on camera. The festival of Diwali is a source of
great joy for children. Bursting crackers and moving around appreciating the
various lighting arrangements and the rockets racing into the high heavens. For
little girls and their mothers the process of making a rangoli can take
considerable period of time and can be an opportunity to bond and have great
fun.
For Ravina a student in a local
college, the process of working on a rangoli is great fun. She said “My younger
sister is still in school and she loves sitting with me and mom as we create
the rangoli. We do it in the morning as well as in the evening depending on the
puja. My sister goes online and checks designs and suggests them to mom who
turns them down. It’s funny to watch them arguing before we start but it always
turns out beautiful. This year the virus has been around wrecking havoc and I
am sure something will come out of that.”
For Rishina Gupte the making of a
rangoli is a special event for her and her family. She said “ I believe Rangoli
is a beautiful art for creating an auspicious welcome of Goddess Laxmi. I
enjoy the process of making Rangoli at my doorstep for every happy
occasion. Colours gives me very positive vibes and making it reflects
lots of good luck. This year after all that we have gone through, we will need
some colour for sure”. The process may take hours for some people but for
everyone Diwali would be complete without the wonderful designs in front of the
house.
Alisha D souza said she would go
over to her neighbour’s house to help out with the design. She said “Her
children are at home, they help out, I help out and it is great fun. The
children bring their own infectious spirit to the entire exercise. They are fed
up of staying at home, unable to meet friends and this activity gets them
together and they love it”.
For Reeya Redkar, creating a
rangoli was all about creativity. She said “My neighbour’s kids who are stuck
at home help me out, some with comments, others with actual help in creating
the design. It is good fun. We all have a nice time. It feels nice when your
friends and family members appreciate your talent.”
There are those like Disha
Mashelkar who intends to create a new design every day. She said “It tickles my
creativity; it gives an opportunity for the kids around to get involved and be
part in the spirit of the festival. Given that so much has happened this year,
it will be easy to incorporate it in the design”.
It could also be a great opportunity to relax after a hard day
at work. Dr Priyanka Desai, a pathologist said everyday is tough but this
an opportunity to think emotionally. She said her friend’s kids and the young
ones in the larger family would be all part of the exercise. She said she
intended to dedicate it all to covid warriors who had sacrificed much. This was
her humble way to express her thanks.
Soumya Nagvekar perhaps put it best when she said it was an
opportunity for all age groups to come together and celebrate and she intended
to redecorate the old diyas this year.
One can only hope Diwali beings in the much needed cheer while
everyone remains aware that a virus is still amongst us.
