Rangoli-109

Reusable Rangoli-7

This time I have used a thick plastic sheet of light blue colour which is used for spiral binding. My sis teaches, writes and publishes a lot of articles. She gets them spiral bounded. So I have some left over plastic sheets used as covers. 

These sheets are thick, available in many colours-both light and dark shades and are quite cheap. I used Kundans for this Rangoli.

I have created an Ashtadala Padma-eight petalled lotus which is drawn for pleasing Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth) at least on Fridays. The flower in the center is 8 petalled. then I added other petals to make it more decorative. I have used Red and Green colours as they stand for prosperity, wealth, auspicious, health and happiness.

Here it is. 

I have stuck the kundans with glue. since the plastic sheet is thick it is easy to handle and can be placed where ever you like-prayer room, table tops etc. This would look good on  white coloured sheet but I don't have one. Hope you like it...

Keep watching my blog for more.....

Rangoli-108

Sree Rama Navami Special

Here is the Rangoli I created for this special occasion. I am sorry I could not post this yesterday. I am not feeling well and in severe pain. Due to the influence of medicines I am taking, I am feeling very groggy. But at the same time when there is relief from pain after the drugs start working, I feel so restless. So in order to divert my mind, I am just doodling something or the other. That is why I could not post it yesterday

Well here are the Rangolis. I am posting only two now. You can see my hand was not steady. There are more but I need to pen them properly. Here have a look:

This is how you have to place the dots-11X11 square first and then 3 and 1.

This is how you should join the dots. Lord Rama was known for his archery. He was famous for "One word and one arrow". This means once He gave a word, He stood by it no matter what and always redeemed his promise. He was also known for his  archery. He needed only one arrow to kill demons and evil people. Such was his valour that demons and evil forces feared just by hearing his name. Even today it is believed that when one recites His name, evil forces or bad spirits don't come near. That is why I have chosen a bow and arrow. There is also OM the auspicious symbol. The flowers are my offering to the Lord.

Here I have shown just arrows. Like I said above, Rama Banam-Rama's arrows were very powerful in destroying the bad and evil forces. This is 7X7 block.

May Lord's blessings be with all of us.

Hope you liked it. Just keep a watch as I am going to post more special very rare and traditional designs.

Friday-Free Patterns

Paisley

This time I want to introduce to you one of the most popular motif from India-Paisley....

Hand woven border on silk from Assam showing the Mango or Paisley design.

Paisley- tear drop shaped pattern- is of Indian origin. Some believe it to be of Persian origin. However the word "Paisley"  has been derived from a town Paisley of Scotland. This is called as Paisley Pickles by the American quilters and "Welsh Pears" by the Welsh and were used in their textiles as early as 1800s. French call this as Boteh and Plame.

Some feel that the tear drop shape can be traced back to ancient Babylon. It represented the growing shoot of  date palm which was considered as sacred and "Tree of Life" as it provided food, drink, fibres for clothing and for all other needs. Gradualy the growing shoot symbol began to be recognised as fertility symbol too.

Some believe that this shape is known as "Boteh" is the Zoroastrian symbol of life and eternity and originated from a combination of stylized floral spray and cypress tree. This later on was adopted by the Azerbaijan too in their textiles and architecture too. 

The floral motif of Iran known as "Buta" originated in Safavid dynasty of Persia. This sounds like the "Boteh" and I think it originated from that word. Buta is a word still used in indian textiles for tear drop shaped pattern. This was popular textile pattern used during Qajar Dynasty too. Textiles of royalty as well as common man-garments, carpets, shawls, furnishings, quilts,  and jewellery sported this motif.

Some believe that paisley pine cone, or tear drop, was derived from the Indian boteh or buta (from the Persian word for flower). Buta even today refers to tear shaped motif. Buta in general means motif but when specifically used- tear shaped one.

The boteh first started as a simple and naturalistic plant rendering used in both textiles and art; it was an attempt by artists and weavers of the Mughal court to imitate European botanical studies typical of the 17th century. Stylistically, the evolution of the boteh owes much to traditional Persian floral design, as it was depicted in carpets, tiles, and miniatures. By the 1700s, the motif was embellished with additional flowers and tendrils. Gradually  all those merged into a  slender conical “tree” with  a bent tip. Finally the motif evolved into the elongated serpentine abstraction as we see it today.

This is still a very popular motif in Asian countries.

Indians used this symbol or pattern since ancient times. In Sanskrit this symbol is referred to as Mankolam-Its a tamil word meaning Man-Mango and Kolam-rangoli or design. Mankolam means the Mango design. In Telugu it is known as Mamidi Pindelu, in Urdu -Kairi and Punjabi-Ambi; all meaning unripe small mangoes. For us this symbol is auspicious associated with prosperity.

          Paisley in Batik

These patterns were widely used by the Kashmiris in their shawls either woven or embroidered. In other parts of India these were woven with gold or silver threads as motifs or borders on saris and other materials, jewellery etc.

   Paisley in Kashmiri embroidery

The East India Company during their rule in India popularised this pattern during 17th and 18th centuries as Kashmir shawls were exported to Europe. To meet the huge demand, the manufaturers in Marseilles began to print the motif. Holland followed the suit. During 19th century  the design from the Kashmir shawls were copied and adopted for the hand looms and jacquard looms by the manufacturers of Paisely-Scottish town. Later on these motifs were printed on cottons and woollen fabrics which became famous as the paisley patterns.

Even today this motif is popular in our South Indian textiles and jewellery. So here is my motif.....

            Paisley Pattern
This would  look great on saris, blouses, cushion covers etc . You can paint it or embroider it. Satin stitch, herringbone stitch, chain stitch with French knots may look good.

Hope you like it. Try it out and let me know.