Rangoli Given Permanence
by Dinkar Shukla
A common sight at the entrance of most houses in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh is colourful deftly designs and geometrical patterns, drawn by sprinkling “rangoli” powder, which is grinded stone powder in different natural hues. The efforts of the medical doctor Ravindra Bhagwat of Harda town near Bhopal to do paintings or imitate photography with the traditional techniques of rangoli stone powder brought to the discovery of a method to make the artistic work permenant. Friends advised the Doctor to mix the rangoli powder with epoxy polyester powder and make the picture on a metal tray where when the bottom is heated a hard film is formed which fixes the painting. Made in this way the picture or “photography” can be hanged on a wall. The two pictures in this article illustrate the result.