Diwali is the Indian festival of lights, and light symbolizes hope and positive energy. It indicates the victory of good over evil, a new beginning; seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and light is also a symbol of knowledge and internationally used.
People decorate their homes with lights and Rangoli (explained below). Their surroundings are filled with colorful light to enliven the day and mark the dawn of a new era in one’s life.
Although Diwali is a Hindu tradition, people of all faiths in India participate in celebrations – Hindus, Jains, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, etc.
My childhood is filled with Diwali’s good memories, the sparklers, the food, and everything joyous you can imagine.
Happy Diwali to you, my friends. May this Diwali bring happiness, serenity, and peace to you. Amen!
RANGOLI THEMES (Adapted from various sites)
Those who are art experts can do Rangoli designs on the floor with freehand. Some draw the pattern on paper and fill it with colors. Some outline with chalk and fill it with forms. There are different Rangoli themes with symbols like Swastika, Om, Mangal Kalash, Chakra, a lighted Deepak Images Flowers Trees Creepers Birds, Elephants, Dancing figures, Geometric patterns such as circles, semi-circles, triangles, squares, and rectangles, etc.
Ingredients used in Rangoli traditionally are rice powder, and the colors derived from natural dyes from barks of trees, leaves, indigo, etc. were used. Today, however, synthetic dyes are used in a range of different colors. Rangoli being mainly a floor art, varied ingredients are used as follows: Powdered pigments, finely grounded rice flour, Turmeric Glitters, Natural flowers, etc. Rangoli can be given a three-dimensional art effect by applying cereals, pulses either in their natural coloring or tinted with natural dyes.
They are beautiful, beautiful creations of art indeed. You can take ideas from these designs and make a beautiful Rangoli this Diwali.
30 Pictures of Rangoli – http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=331967&id=851280248&l=56e2895228
Mike Ghouse is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions to the day’s issues to the media and the public. He is a speaker, thinker, and writer on pluralism, cohesive societies, Islam, interfaith, India, and Peace. He is available to speak at your place of worship, work, school, college, seminars, and conferences. All about Mike is at www.TheGhousediary.com