Maharashtra Board Class 5 English Balbharti Unit Four Chapter 33 Rangoli PDF Download

Rangoli

Rangoli is one of the most beautiful and most pleasing art forms of India. The word Rangoli or Rangaawali consists of two words, "rang" meaning "colour" and "aawali" meaning a row or vine. Rangoli is the art of making designs or patterns on the walls or the floor of the house, using finely ground white powder and different colours. In many households, Rangoli designs are drawn in the courtyard or in front of the doorstep every day.

The most interesting feature of Rangoli is that it is drawn afresh every day. Just as you cleanse and adorn yourself every day, you clean your house and decorate it with a Rangoli every day. On special occasions you wear special clothes and ornaments. In the same way, special magnificent designs are made on the occasion of feasts and festivals.

Teacher's Note

Rangoli is drawn in many Indian homes every day. It shows love for our home and family. Just like we clean our clothes, we also clean our house with Rangoli.

Exam Trick

Remember: Rangoli = fresh every day. Just like you take a bath every morning, your home gets a fresh Rangoli every day.

Points to Remember

Rangoli means colour and line in Hindi.
Rangoli is drawn on walls and floors with white powder and colours.
Rangoli is made fresh every single day.
People draw Rangoli in the courtyard or at the doorstep.

Design and Patterns

The traditional form of Rangoli makes use of designs and motifs based on nature, such as mango, creepers, lotus and other flowers, swans, peacocks, fish and other animals and so on. Rangoli designs also include geometrical patterns and shapes. Nowadays, other fancy designs and free hand drawings are also used to make beautiful Rangolis.

Teacher's Note

Rangoli patterns come from nature. You can see flowers, birds, and animals in Rangoli designs. These patterns teach us about the beauty of nature.

Exam Trick

Remember: Rangoli patterns = nature based. Think of flowers, birds, and fish when you answer questions about Rangoli designs.

Points to Remember

Rangoli uses designs of flowers like mango and lotus.
Rangoli uses designs of animals like peacocks and fish.
Rangoli also uses geometric shapes and patterns.
Modern Rangoli can have fancy and free hand drawings too.

How It Is Made

Usually, Rangoli lines are made using coarse grained powders such as sand, marble dust, saw dust, or rice grain powder as it provides a good grip while making the straight or curving lines. It is important to draw unbroken lines of even thickness to maintain the beauty of the design. The skill to do so comes with a lot of practice. The Rangoli can then be left as a beautiful drawing or you can fill it with bright coloured powders.

It is customary to prepare a special background for Rangoli with Geru or wet red ochre so that the white design stands out very well. Also, usually, a grid of rows and columns of dots is used to give a proper frame and shape to the design.

Rangoli and Diwali

Rangoli occupies a special place in the festival of Deepawali or Diwali. Since the art form is an expression of warm hospitality, it is used by almost everyone to decorate the courtyard during the festival. It signifies that the people coming to the house are welcome inside.

Teacher's Note

Making Rangoli needs skill and practice. In your home, you can watch your mother or grandmother make Rangoli during Diwali and learn from them.

Exam Trick

Remember: Rangoli = Diwali special. You will often see Rangoli questions with Diwali festival in the exam.

Points to Remember

Sand, marble dust, and rice powder are used to make Rangoli lines.
Lines must be even and unbroken for beauty.
A red ochre background helps the white design stand out.
Dots in rows are used to frame the design.
Rangoli is very important during Diwali festival.

Rangoli In Different States

Rangoli art is known by different names in different parts of the country. It is known as Chowkpurana in Uttar Pradesh, Madana in Rajasthan, Muggu in Andhra Pradesh, and as Rangoli in Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra. Each region has its special characteristic designs and patterns. In the northern parts of India, it is customary to make Rangoli designs with traditional wet colours.

In Bengal, Rangoli is known as Alpanaa whereas in Bihar and Uttaranchal it is named Aipanaa. Kolam is the name given to the art of Rangoli in southern parts of the country, mainly in the States of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Kolam designs are made with the help of rice powder.

Teacher's Note

Rangoli has different names in different states of India. In the south it is called Kolam, and in the north it is called Chowkpurana. This shows how our India is one but has many cultures.

Exam Trick

Remember: Different states = different names. Write the state and its Rangoli name together in your answer, like "Kolam in Kerala" or "Alpanaa in Bengal".

Points to Remember

Chowkpurana is the name in Uttar Pradesh.
Madana is the name in Rajasthan.
Kolam is the name in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Alpanaa is the name in Bengal.
Aipanaa is the name in Bihar and Uttaranchal.

Rangoli In The Modern Days

Rangoli art has been used for centuries to beautify many Indian households. Previously, it was used mainly by women. Today both men and women learn and practise this art, adding their innovative ideas to the traditional designs and motifs. At the time of public celebrations, carpets of Rangoli are spread over large areas and even long distances. Some people use leaves and flowers to make Rangolis which are beautiful as well as fragrant. Would you like to try your hand at this beautiful art form?

Teacher's Note

Rangoli is now made by both men and women. Today, people also use flowers and leaves to make Rangoli. This shows how our art forms grow and change with time.

Exam Trick

Remember: Rangoli = old and new both. It is an ancient art but people keep adding new ideas to it.

Points to Remember

Rangoli has been used for many centuries in India.
Only women made Rangoli in the old days.
Today both men and women make Rangoli.
Flowers and leaves are now used to make Rangoli.
Rangoli is spread over long distances in public celebrations.

Things To Do

1. Guess the meaning of the following words.

pleasing

finely

magnificent

coarse grained

beautify

fragrant

2. Answer the following questions.

(1) What does "Rangaawali" mean?

(2) Where is Rangoli usually drawn?

(3) What is used to make Rangoli designs?

(4) What are the common Rangoli designs or motifs?

(5) What different names is "Rangoli" known by in different regions?

3. Make a collection of Rangoli motifs and patterns. Write about each motif or pattern in your own words. It could just be a label or a description or some information or a comment.

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