Gaurika's Rangoli.

This Diwali my girl-freind invited me help make the Rangoli. Of course, Gaurika did it all by herself but not without me babysitting her little daughter who made her own creations with the coloured powders. What remains of that afternoon are memories and these pictures. The Rangolis are all swept away making them so ephemeral, so beautiful.

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First, she draws a sketch (as you can see she has studied painting in art school), then she makes a base with a mixture of mud (suited for this purpose)and water. Then she draws out her lines with loose white powder. Next, she fills it in with colours that come to her, notice the turquoise and purples, so Piscean!
The final touches - much like in the sacred art of thangka painting where the 'opening of the eyes' brings the thangka to life, she adds fresh petals, candle and tea-lights giving the Rangoli its own radiance.
Happy Diwali!

Happy Diwali !