Thursday, 22 October 2009
Monday, 10 August 2009
Friday, 7 August 2009
Tulsi Vrindavan
The 'tulsi' plant or Indian basil is an important symbol in the Hindu religious tradition. The name 'tulsi' connotes "the incomparable one". Tulsi is a venerated plant and Hindu's worship it in the morning and evening. Tulsi grows wild in the tropics and warm regions. Dark or Shyama tulsi and light or Rama tulsi are the two main varieties of basil, the former possessing greater medicinal value. Of the many varieties, the Krishna or Shyama tulsi is commonly used for worship.The presence of tulsi plant symbolizes the religious bent of a Hindu family. A Hindu household is considered incomplete if it doesn't have a tulsi plant in the courtyard. Many families have the tulsi planted in a specially built structure, which has images of deities installed on all four sides, and an alcove for a small earthen oil lamp.
The Tulsi Manas Mandir at Varanasi is one famous temple, where tulsi is worshipped along with other Hindu gods and goddesses. Vaishnavites or believers of Lord Vishnu worship the tulsi leaf because it's the one that pleases Lord Vishnu the most. They also wear beaded necklaces made of tulsi stems.
Apart from its religious significance it is of great medicinal significance, and is a prime herb in Ayurvedic treatment. Marked by its strong aroma and a stringent taste, tusli is a kind of "the elixir of life" as it promotes longevity. The plant's extracts can be used to prevent and cure many illnesses and common ailments like common cold, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, various forms of poisoning and malaria. Essential oil extracted from karpoora tulsi is mostly used for medicinal purposes.
Apart from its religious significance it is of great medicinal significance, and is a prime herb in Ayurvedic treatment. Marked by its strong aroma and a stringent taste, tusli is a kind of "the elixir of life" as it promotes longevity. The plant's extracts can be used to prevent and cure many illnesses and common ailments like common cold, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, various forms of poisoning and malaria. Essential oil extracted from karpoora tulsi is mostly used for medicinal purposes.
I drawn this rangoli of Tulsi Vrindavan on the day of Tulsi Vivah to offer my prayer to Tulsi & Lord Shree kishna
Friday, 31 July 2009
Swastik
Swastika symbol has a lot of relevance for people in India. Though, Swastik sign is adopted by people of all religions, but it is especially popular amongst the Hindus. The term Swastika has been derived from the Sanskrit word "Svastika", which means well being. Swastika is considered to be a mark of auspiciousness and good fortune. Red Swastika is the sign of Hindus, which depicts a cross with four arms of equal lengths. The end of each of the arms is bent at a right angle. At times, dots are also added between the arms.Swastika has been a sacred symbol of Hindus since ages. There are 
millions of people who support as well as advocate the use of Swastik; thereby popularizing it in such a manner that it seems to have its relevance not just in the past but also in the present society. Significance The symbol of Swastika is considered to be highly auspicious and thus it is quite often used in the art and architecture of Hindus. It finds a special place for itself in the wedding decorations. Swastika designs can be found in temples, doorways, clothing, cars etc. Most of the wedding cards have the Swastik symbol imprinted on them. In Hinduism, the two symbols represent the two forms of the creator god Brahma: facing right it represents the evolution of the universe , facing left it represents the envolution of the universe. It is also seen as pointing in all four directions (north, east, south and west) and thus signifies stability and grounded ness. Its use as a sun symbol can first be seen in its representation of the god Surya . The swastika is considered extremely holy and auspicious by all Hindus, and is regularly used to decorate items related to H
indu culture. Throughout the subcontinent of India, it can be seen on the sides of temples, religious scriptures, gift items, and letterheads. The Hindu deity Ganesh is often shown sitting on a lotus flower on a bed of swastikas.
millions of people who support as well as advocate the use of Swastik; thereby popularizing it in such a manner that it seems to have its relevance not just in the past but also in the present society. Significance The symbol of Swastika is considered to be highly auspicious and thus it is quite often used in the art and architecture of Hindus. It finds a special place for itself in the wedding decorations. Swastika designs can be found in temples, doorways, clothing, cars etc. Most of the wedding cards have the Swastik symbol imprinted on them. In Hinduism, the two symbols represent the two forms of the creator god Brahma: facing right it represents the evolution of the universe , facing left it represents the envolution of the universe. It is also seen as pointing in all four directions (north, east, south and west) and thus signifies stability and grounded ness. Its use as a sun symbol can first be seen in its representation of the god Surya . The swastika is considered extremely holy and auspicious by all Hindus, and is regularly used to decorate items related to H
indu culture. Throughout the subcontinent of India, it can be seen on the sides of temples, religious scriptures, gift items, and letterheads. The Hindu deity Ganesh is often shown sitting on a lotus flower on a bed of swastikas.The swastika is found all over Hindu temples, signs, altars, pictures and iconography where it is sacred. It is used in Hindu weddings, festivals, ceremonies, houses and doorways, clothing and jewelry, motor transport and even decorations on food items such as cakes and pastries. In the Bhavishyapurann (a book describing future events and history), it is a weapon of a snake king (dragon), Takshak. A city in Pakistan is named after this dragon, Takshshila.
"Swastika" is a common given name amongst Bengalis and a prominent literary magazine in Kolkataa (Calcutta) is called the Swastika.
The Swastika is one of the 108 symbols of Hindu deity Vishnu and represents the sun's rays, upon which life depends.
Here I tried to depict different ways to draw Swastiks.
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Thursday, 28 May 2009
Sanskar Bharati Rangoli
The particular style of drawing Rangoli is called as "Sanskar Bharati Rangoli". Sanskar Bharati Rangoli is a style of drawing Rangoli, which emerged in Maharashtra in the recent times. In this form of Rangoli, colored powder is spread like a carpet as a base, on which the Rangoli is drawn, using one's five fingers; or sometimes a fist full of Rangoli powder. Wide ranges of nets are also used for spreading colors in this style of Rangoli. In the traditional Rangoli drawing, Rangoli powder is held in a pinch and shapes, lines are drawn on the floor. It takes only 25 to 30 minutes to draw such a Rangoli.
Rangoli must have survived through the ages because of its universal appeal, which exceeds social barriers, and also in the art form it can be adjusted easily to the changing times. It is this flexibility which makes it a fine blend of traditional and modern art.
This type of rangoli covers small area to a large are as big as 100 feet * 100 feet as or even more than that as per one’s requirement. That is why it is called as Galicha (Carpet) Rangoli as well. The basic, traditional auspicious signs such as lotus, dots, trishul, conch, charka, swastika and others are used in the rangoli designs.
Several volunteers have been taught and trained well in advance to participate in the rangoli.Sanskar Bharati also makes ‘Payghadya’ (band of 15 - 20 feet rangoli) once the ‘Swagatyatra’ (welcome processions) begin.
RANGOLI
Rangoli is an ancient Indian art. It is a cherished cultural heritage of India which is practiced in every state of the country with its regional flavors. On festivals and auspicious occasions, Rangoli is drawn with traditional symbols, artistic shapes and vibrant colors that brighten the jubilant mood. It is an art of decorating courtyards , streets, squares and prayer halls for religious festivals, functions to welcome the guest. Rangoli is a pattern, which is based on geometrical shapes and designs. It is a form of sand painting decoration that uses finely ground white powder and colors. Rangoli plays an inevitable part of the decoration. It is one of the most popular art forms in India.
History
The term Rangoli or Rangavali is derived from words rang (color) and aavali (row of colors)! Earlier, drawing Rangoli was mainly confined to women and girls of the house. Nowadays even men are taking keen interest in drawing Rangoli.
Origin
The origin of rangoli painting is traced to a legend recorded in the Chitralakshana, the ancient Indian piece of writing on painting. When the son of a King's high priest died, Brahma, Lord of the universe, asked the king to paint the likeness of the boy so that Brahma could breathe life into him again. This is how, it is believed, the first painting was made.Another popular story is that God, in one of his creative episodes, extracted the juice from one of the mango trees as paint, and drew the figure of a woman so beautiful that it put the heavenly maidens to shame.
Description
The motifs in Rangoli are usually taken from Nature - peacocks, swans, mango, flowers, creepers, etc. The colors traditionally were derived from natural dyes - from barks of trees, leaves, indigo, etc. However, today, synthetic dyes are used in a range of bright colors. The materials used for Rangoli take on either a flat appearance, when colored powder such as rice, chili, turmeric, etc. are used, or a 3-D effect when cereals, pulses either in their natural coloring or tinted with natural dyes are used. Some artists use the 3-D effect for borders alone while others create beautiful designs using grains and beads entirely.The designs are symbolic and common to the entire country, and can include geometrical patterns, with lines, dots, squares, circles, triangles; the swastika, lotus, trident, fish, conch shell, footprints (supposed to be of goddess Lakshmi), creepers, leaves, trees, flowers, animals and anthropomorphic figures. These motifs often are modified to fit in with the local images and rhythms. One important point is that the entire pattern must be an unbroken line, with no gaps to be left anywhere for evil spirits to enter. Originally Rangoli was done in small patterns — 2 feet square — but now entire floor areas of rooms and hotel foyers are covered in intricate detailed designs. Traditionally, such floor decorations were done only on auspicious occasions or festivals. But today, any occasion is good enough — weddings, birthday parties, opening ceremonies, etc. In Indian cultures, all guests and visitors occupy a very special place, and a rangoli is an expression of this warm hospitality. In particular, the Diwali festival is widely celebrated with rangoli, since at this time; people visit each other's homes to exchange greetings and sweets. Rangoli also has a religious significance, enhancing the beauty of the surroundings and spreading joy and happiness all around.
History
The term Rangoli or Rangavali is derived from words rang (color) and aavali (row of colors)! Earlier, drawing Rangoli was mainly confined to women and girls of the house. Nowadays even men are taking keen interest in drawing Rangoli.
Origin
The origin of rangoli painting is traced to a legend recorded in the Chitralakshana, the ancient Indian piece of writing on painting. When the son of a King's high priest died, Brahma, Lord of the universe, asked the king to paint the likeness of the boy so that Brahma could breathe life into him again. This is how, it is believed, the first painting was made.Another popular story is that God, in one of his creative episodes, extracted the juice from one of the mango trees as paint, and drew the figure of a woman so beautiful that it put the heavenly maidens to shame.
Description
The motifs in Rangoli are usually taken from Nature - peacocks, swans, mango, flowers, creepers, etc. The colors traditionally were derived from natural dyes - from barks of trees, leaves, indigo, etc. However, today, synthetic dyes are used in a range of bright colors. The materials used for Rangoli take on either a flat appearance, when colored powder such as rice, chili, turmeric, etc. are used, or a 3-D effect when cereals, pulses either in their natural coloring or tinted with natural dyes are used. Some artists use the 3-D effect for borders alone while others create beautiful designs using grains and beads entirely.The designs are symbolic and common to the entire country, and can include geometrical patterns, with lines, dots, squares, circles, triangles; the swastika, lotus, trident, fish, conch shell, footprints (supposed to be of goddess Lakshmi), creepers, leaves, trees, flowers, animals and anthropomorphic figures. These motifs often are modified to fit in with the local images and rhythms. One important point is that the entire pattern must be an unbroken line, with no gaps to be left anywhere for evil spirits to enter. Originally Rangoli was done in small patterns — 2 feet square — but now entire floor areas of rooms and hotel foyers are covered in intricate detailed designs. Traditionally, such floor decorations were done only on auspicious occasions or festivals. But today, any occasion is good enough — weddings, birthday parties, opening ceremonies, etc. In Indian cultures, all guests and visitors occupy a very special place, and a rangoli is an expression of this warm hospitality. In particular, the Diwali festival is widely celebrated with rangoli, since at this time; people visit each other's homes to exchange greetings and sweets. Rangoli also has a religious significance, enhancing the beauty of the surroundings and spreading joy and happiness all around.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)