Rangoli, India’s Connect the Dots Folk Art
Rangoli designs can be made from dry flour, colored rice, sand or even flower petals, and it is thought to bring good luck. The designs are created on the floor by the front door, in courtyards, around stainless steel food plates or disposable banana leaf food plates during Hindu festivals and weddings. Dots are first made using the thumb and index finger in rows and then the dots are connected and filled in to create the designs. The number of dots in each row and the number of rows are specified in Rangoli pattern books. This design is a typical one for Diwali, the Festival of Lights.
The quilt was made for the Fast Friday online group for a challenge on childhood memories. Having grown up without crayons, and other luxuries, we had fun with Rangoli, Mehndi (henna), cards, playing outside daily with jump rope, hopscotch and using our imagination in make believe plays. It was hard to select one memory from childhood and I chose Rangoli because it was creative and LOTS of fun.
The dots were made with french knots and the line designs are in chain stitch hand embroidery. Beads, sequins, shisha mirror embellishments
