For Mr Santhirkumaran s/o Govindersamy, 56, it is always a joy to make rangoli with his wife and daughter during the preparations for Deepavali.

“It is a good opportunity for family bonding when we make rangoli together. I think it is important for the younger generation to learn about our culture through such hands-on activities,” said Mr Santhirkumaran, who has lived in Ang Mo Kio-Hougang for over 25 years.

Rangoli, which means “an array of colours” in Sanskrit, originated in India. It is a traditional art form that dates back some 5,000 years to the pre-Aryan period. The artwork represents joy, prosperity and gratitude to the deities.

Mr Santhirkumaran recalled making rangoli every day when he was growing up in a kampung in the 1970s: “After my morning prayer, I would make a rangoli with rice at the entrance of my house. I was told that the ants would eat the rice, and this act of blessing them with food was a good start to the day. But that was back in the kampung days, when you could do it without worrying about dirtying the floor.”

In most Indian homes today, rangoli is usually made by first outlining a favourite design on the floor with chalk. These are usually symbolic objects such as lotus flowers, candles and peacocks. The patterns are made up of unbroken lines, as it is believed that this can prevent evil spirits from entering the homes. 

A variety of bright-coloured rice will be used to fill the rangoli to enhance the visual appeal of the artwork. To make it even more artistic, families will add some final touches by placing candles and fresh flowers to light up the design.

Although Mr Santhirkumaran does not make rangoli daily now, he will do so during religious occasions and festivals such as Deepavali and Pongal. He also shared that it has become more convenient to make rangoli nowadays. “In the old days, we only used white rice. Now, you can easily buy coloured rice or sea salt from shops, and stencils are available if you prefer ready-made designs.”

With the colourful rangoli at the entrance of his house, he hopes that his family will be blessed with happiness and good luck. “I also wish that this unique cultural heritage will bring loved ones together and brighten up the neighbourhood with all the good things to come,” he added.

[Chinese]

在屠妖节等传统佳节期间，印族家庭通常会在家门前绘制五彩缤纷的“蓝果丽”（Rangoli）。常见的图案包括莲花、孔雀等，也会用蜡烛和鲜花点缀。“蓝果丽”在梵文中意即“色彩斑斓”，相信可驱赶邪恶，为家人带来欢乐和祝福。

[Malay]

Keluarga India biasanya akan membuat ‘rangoli’ di pintu masuk rumah mereka semasa perayaan seperti Deepavali. Bunga teratai, lilin dan burung merak merupakan beberapa objek simbolik yang biasa dilukis. ‘Rangoli’, yang bermakna ‘pelbagai warna’ dalam bahasa Sanskrit, menggambarkan kegembiraan dan kemakmuran, serta kesyukuran kepada dewa-dewa. Ia juga dipercayai dapat menjauhkan roh jahat.

[Tamil]

தீபாவளி போன்ற பண்டிகைகளின்போது, இந்தியக் குடும்பங்கள் தங்கள் வீட்டு வாசலில் ரங்கோலிக் கோலம் வரைவது வழக்கம். தாமரைப்பூ, மெழுகுவர்த்தி, மயில் உள்ளிட்ட பல்வேறு வடிவங்களில் கோலங்கள் வரையப்படும். சமஸ்கிருத மொழியில் ரங்கோலி என்றால் “வண்ணமயம்” என்று அர்த்தம். மகிழ்ச்சியையும் செழிப்பையும் குறிக்கும் ரங்கோலி, இறைவனுக்கு நன்றியையும் வெளிப்படுத்துகிறது. இது தீய சக்திகளை விரட்டியடிக்கும் என்றும் நம்பப்படுகிறது.