Sports, Money and Lifestyle: Rangoli designs the joy of colours do during the festival of lights - Diwali torans, Home makeover, fashion in Diwali

Rangoli

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rangoli

RANGOLI_in__GLASS_colours

Rangoli spreads the joy of colours during the festival of lights

Alpona for Bengalis, Kolam for Tamilians or Rangoli for the Maharashtrians, it's a true Diwali ritual,

Cleaning your house, decorating the interiors, buying new clothes are the preparations for one of the biggest festival of the country, Diwali. Rangoli forms an extremely important part of Diwali. It is interesting to know that different communities in India celebrate the festival in a different manner, and rangolis also come in different shapes and sizes for every community. It's Rangoli for Maharashtrians, Alpona for Bengalis and Kolam for Tamilians.
Rangoli is a tradition that has originated in Maharashtra. Although the designs vary in different communities, the basic approach remains the same. The designs are geometric and mostly proportioned. "There is a unique relationship between the festival of Diwali and rangoli. When I was a child, my mother used to make the rangoli twice a day during Diwali, once in the morning after bath and then again in the evening before lighting the diyas. It felt awesome, it set the festive spirit in and hence now after getting married, I maintain the tradition in my home too," exclaims Swati Vengurlekar, a resident of Sanpada.
The patterns for rangoli are made with finger using rangoli powder which is usually white. It can also be topped with other coloured powders as well. The entire objective of making rangoli in Diwali is to welcome Goddess Laxmi and remarking the day to be extremely auspicious. Rangolis can be of any size, from the size of a doormat, to the covering an entire room. Swati explains, "For drawing a rangoli, lines are always drawn on one finger movement and frequently, the mapping of rangoli is done with the help of dots, which are joined to form a pattern, and then the pattern is filled with colours. One important point is that the entire pattern must be an unbroken line, with no gaps to be left anywhere, for evil spirits are believed to enter through such gaps, if they find one."
Another form of Rangoli originated in West Bengal is the alpona. Asim Kumar Ghosh, a graphic artist mentions, "Alpona is one of the Bengal's most cherished imaginative expressions. It was primarily painted on the borders of doors and windows and around the mud huts by village women to welcome the blessings of God. Usually the feet of Goddess Lakshmi, the lotus flower, paddy leaves and other familiar symbols of prosperity are used. However, with time, a lot of improvisations and innovations have been made to the traditional pattern."
The authentic alpona is drawn in white as the main ingredient used to paint is a mixture of powdered rice in water. The consistency has to be such that it is neither too runny nor too stiff. Alpona drawers usually use their fingers expertly to form designs to make it look attractive. Ghosh adds, "Lately, several other ingredients like acrylic colours, zinc oxide, paste of chalks, poster and fabric colours are being used for drawing alpona. A beautiful artistic alpona at the entrance of the house symbolises the piousness of the occasion."
Kolam is another form of rangoli within Tamil community. Originally used as an anti-infectant, kolam has gradually come up to become a graphic art form. Sumati Mohan, a homemaker from Vashi says, "Back in those times, people would clean their house with cow-dung and water and then draw the kolam at their entrance. I too draw kolam at the entrance of my house every day and on special occasion like Diwali, I make sure I make a bigger kolam. It is said that when the woman of the house draws kolam every morning, it serves as an indication to the outsiders and neighbours that everything is fine in the house."
Kolam is usually prepared with rice powder typically ground in a stone grinder. There are two basic types of kolam, one is pulli kolam which is made using dots. It is drawn with bare fingers and the design is left to the person's imagination. The second type of kambi kolam which is a thread-like rangoli pattern that starts and ends at the same point.
People these days also make rangolis out of flower petals, of course not as huge as the Pookalams made during Onam. However, these medium-sized flower rangolis look extremely mersmerising, especially when it is topped with diyas at various points.

Diwali toran

Different types of torans

Embroidered Toran: These are made using different coloured threads. The patchwork and intricate design makes the wall hanging on the entry look beautiful.
Floral Toran: This is one of the most commonly found torans. Most of the Hindu households put a floral toran generally made of mango leaves and marigold flowers outside the home.The common colours of floral torans include yellow, orange, white and red flowers.
Beaded Toran: The bead toran is made using beads of vibrant colours, and in attractive combinations of sizes.While some beads may be in a translucent finish, others can be made to look like crystals. Beads resembling the rudraaksh are also commonly used.
Toran with traditional motifs: Toran with traditional motifs are a good representation of the true tradition of Diwali. These torans have symbols of swastika and om or betel leaves and kalash on it. Made using threads, wool and plastic, these have stunning finishes on it too.

Adorn your doors with twinkling Diwali torans!

Diwali is one of the most visually appealing festivals in the country. The various types of decor that are put up by people create a unique kind of festive charm and aura in the homes. A lot of decorations are of such forms that they have been put up since decades now. Among these is the famous Diwali Toran which is hanged at the archway of every Hindu household.
A toran is a row of strikingly beautiful fresh or artificial flowers that are put up at the entrance of house during Diwali. According to tradition, putting up a toran at the entry of the home is considered to be a very good omen and an auspicious sign too. The toran also makes a charming sight for all those family, friends and relatives who come over to the house in order to wish for the festival. Initially there was even a time wherein torans used to be made by people themselves in their own house but these day's people prefer purchasing the ready made ones from the market itself. Diwali torans also come in other different types like the floral ones, beaded torans, torans with traditional motifs and plastic torans too.
Vinita Goenka, resident of Koparkhairane says, "For the festival of Diwali I hang a toran made of marigold flowers and mango leaves at the entrance of my house right from the day of Dhanteras. I consider this an auspicious sign in order to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. Besides even when guest come over, these torans really make the home look beautiful. However, once this dries away I then put a beaded toran at the entrance of my home."
"It is considered auspicious to put a toran outside the home for a festival like Diwali. Some people resort to putting a toran on all the four days while others only put it up on Lakshmi Puja and Padva. At my home I generally put up a toran of marigold flowers and mango leaves" says Sunita Samant a resident of Vashi. Samant insists on how initially these torans used to be made at home itself but these days due to time constraints and people's busy schedules one goes and prefers purchasing it from the market itself.
Vinod Joshi, an Airoli resident says, "Traditionally a toran is put up in the home so that it can usher prosperity and well being. It is considered auspicious to toran at the entry of home."

Corporates, offices get into the mood for celebrations

A festival for all, Diwali lets everyone indulge in its celebrations irrespective of class and creed. When people start making their homes spic and span and start the decorations for this biggest Hindu festival, the corporate houses too plan something special every year for their employees. Celebrations of course differ to every organisation, however, the fun part remains the same. Read on for some grand Diwali parties this year.
Hinduja Global Solutions (HGSL), a call centre as well as an interactive agency of the Hinduja Group, located at International Infotech Park, Vashi celebrates the festival with great pomp and fervour. It is one organisation that makes the festival a really special one for all its employees. From organising several gift gathering competitions to simple entertainment and team building sessions, HGSL is making every possible effort to make sure its employees have a beautiful Diwali. Jisha Krishnan, from the HR department of HGSL confirms, "Firstly, since Diwali is about lifting up our tradition, we would be organising a traditional day on that day. Bay decorating competition is an every year affair wherein employees decorate their respective bays (a set of cubicles in a row) and the best decorated bay is given a special gift. Secondly, there will be a lot of fun elements like mehndi, rangoli and pot decoration competitions."
In fact, employees also indulge in pot luck on that day, bring in various delicacies from home and set up a buffet at the cafeteria and have fun. Last but not the least, sweets and chocolate boxes are distributed among the staff to make their Diwali a rather sweet one. Another company that takes this festival as the best opportunity to make their employees happy is Birla Sun Life Insurance at the BSEL Tech Park, Vashi. Traditional day is the common part of the celebrations at all corporate houses in the satellite city. The best part to celebrate the festival of lights is by lighting up diyas and this corporate house had a diya decoration event that is hosted by them. The entire office is decorated with diyas all over and this is how the Birlas welcome Diwali. Yogesh Dighe, an advisor says, "There are various competitions like mehndi and rangoli that happen on that day. Also, housie is one very favourite pass time that is great fun during Diwali. Advisors are also awarded special gifts based on their performance for Diwali. Sweets and dry fruits are routine things, but when the distribution time comes, it turns out to be so exciting each time."
Birla Sun Life also gives away gift vouchers to their employees as part of the Diwali surprises. They surely make the festival a grand one for their employees. Shekharan Erimal, a call centre executive from Respondez, Vashi says that Diwali at their office is all about crackers and fireworks. "We do a lot of fireworks on that day. In fact, the office arranges for special gifts and incentives for employees who work on Diwali days. These days turn out to be great earning days for us since we are awarded for our handwork for the entire year. Of course, chocolates are distributed among all of us and we enjoy the festival with complete fun and frolic. Gifts like glass bowls and crockery items are also distributed to us," Shekharan added.
Reliance Retail Ltd in Koparkhairane also indulges in a grand celebration during the festival. An employee on condition of anonymity mentioned that the company gives a lot of incentives and perks on Diwali. She says, "There is a Diwali party besides body painting and mehndi competitions in the office. We all have a great time during Diwali."

Diwali makeover Furniture to furnishings and curtains to cushion covers, it takes very little to bring about a change

BRING OUT THE BEST

> High-end furnishing stores at Navi Mumbai are gearing up as they unpack their special Diwalicollection for the year 2010
> The big time of the year is here and as they lay out their best pieces out there, the big buys would start pouring in
> The At Home Store on Palm Beach Road in Vashi there is a classic choice for people who wish to give their house a royal touch
> Their new festive collection involves a lot of earthy colours like orange, red, yellow, etc that would give a warm feeling to your homes this Diwali

Give your home a Diwali makeover

Furniture to furnishings and curtains to cushion covers, it takes very little to bring about a change

The smell of new paint, sparking utensils, arty furniture and everything new marks Diwali, the biggest Hindu festival. Diwali is a time when everyone works towards giving their house a new look and really beautiful makeover.
Right from furnitures to furnishings; curtains, cushion covers, bed linens, living room accessories, everything at your house awaits a handsome change. Read on as we give you a line up of the trendiest and the most exciting furnishing stores that will help give your home sweet home a real perky makeover.
High-end furnishing stores at Navi Mumbai are gearing up as they unpack their special Diwali collection for the year 2010. The big time of the year is here and as they lay out their best pieces out there, the big buys would start pouring in. Central, in Rahguleela Mall, Vashi is all set to display their festive collection. According to their store manager, Atanu Mitra, "Purple is the colour of the season." Mitra adds, "Our Diwali special collection has just arrived, in fact we are starting to unpack them as not much days are left for the grand festival to set in. Purple and Red are the colours of the season. Fabrics like cotton silk, polyester cotton are the favourite picks for most. Especially bed linens and cushion covers that have golden, silver and decorative work on them make the most attractive selects since people tend to choose things that give the festive look to their home."

Best picks
Silk bed linens in dark read and blue
Maroon and golden cushion cover with thread work
Silver and golden ball shaped decorative pieces
Beetle leafs showpieces
Glass candle stands

Festive mugs with golden emboss
The At Home Store on Palm Beach Road in Vashi there is a classic choice for people who wish to give their house a royal touch. Their new festive collection involves a lot of earthy colours like orange, red, yellow, etc that would give a warm feeling to your homes. Pink is another colour that is also doing well at their store this season. Pink and golden cushion covers, plush coloured silk and netted curtains in chrome yellow, purple, etc are some of the picks that would make your house look fresh and vibrant.
Michelle Joseph from At Home Store says, "Diwali is a time when everyone wants to give a fresh look to their homes. At Home is a store that gives you a wide range of soft furnishings like bed linens, towels, curtains, cushion covers, table mats, etc. In fact one can also find accessories like clocks, show pieces, vases, flowers, mugs that can be used to complement the new furnishing at your home. Just come to the store and you will find everything that you would want to make your home sweet home look the best during this festival."

Best Picks
Netted curtains in bright colours
Mix-n-match silk cushion covers
Pick and golden worked bed linens
Flower arranged vases
Candle stands

Antique wooden and metal clocks
Another store that you can choose as an option to choose various soft furnishing is RS Handloom store at Sector 17, Vashi. The store has an exclusive collection of curtains for the festive season. Curtains form an extremely important part of home decor, if chosen the right fabric and colour, they give your home the best look possible. RS Handloom has an exclusive collection of curtain fabrics like tissue, net and chiffon. These curtains are in various colours like purple with white and dark purple embroidery, netted curtains with thread and golden prints, etc.
So go ahead, and choose the best things for your home this Diwali, so that you can welcome the festival with a new and fresh look!

sarees

FAVOURITES AND THE FAVOURED

FAVOURITES AND THE FAVOURED

> Anarkali and kalidar dresses are still very much in vogue
> Colours like magenta, green and purple look beautiful
> As far as fabrics are concerned, you can either chose raw silk or georgette
> Straight cut dresses are much preferred by a majority of women
> Netted sarees when worn during celebration time brings out an elegant and classy look

Deck up your style quotient this Diwali season!

Fashion experts share tips on the designs, colours and fabrics that are 'in' this season

Diwali is an ideal time for both men and women to dress up at their best. While women are seen wearing heavily embroidered salwar suits or netted sarees, men too adorn their best kurtas which has some or the other kind of designer work on it. The festival of lights gives everybody enough opportunity to deck up and pump up their style quotient. With guests pouring into the homes every now and then, you do feel the need to look pleasant and a part of the festive cheer. Fashion experts across the satellite city give a few tips on what colours, designs and fabrics can both men and women choose this season.
As far as women are concerned, quite a few are seen going in for an Indo-Western kind of look. The heavily embroidered ghagra skirts with a chic tank top are the flavour of the season. While on one hand the tank top keeps the trendy look in, on the other hand the ghagra skirt filled with immense 'gher' keeps you in sync with the festive mood. Renu Chopda, a Sanpada based fashion designer says, "Try going in for bright colours like maroon and green this Diwali, because they always look great. Besides, do not go in for much of print work as that is more or less out of fashion these days. And just in case you are really keen on trying out something different for the festival then you can team up a plain salwar suit with a heavily embroidered dupatta as this can look very fashionable."
One of the important things which one should keep in mind is the colour of the clothing that you are choosing. Most of the fashion experts suggest that the colour that you choose should match your skin tone. This is a very tricky aspect because unless you do not try on the clothing of a specific colour you really can not judge if it will look good with it or not. "The colour of clothing that people chose many times depends on the taste of the person. So you can say that this aspect in clothing differs from person to person," Renu adds.
Shipra Jain, a fashion designer with Babes Boutique in Vashi says, "Many of my clients are demanding salwar or churidars with straight cuts these days. Besides as far as fabrics are concerned, women can try out anything like silk or chiffon. Also, chanderi and brochette work is something that is greatly in vogue and looks stylish and pretty during festivals too."
Even men take this opportunity during festive occasions to dress up to their very best. Although many times it is said that as compared to women they have much of a lesser option to choose from, but fashion experts argue that men too can look great if they try to experiment with new things.
Many men opt for plain cotton kurtas or heavily embroidered kurtas as these both look great. "Colours like gold, black and maroons look really nice for men during Diwali. Also, since it is celebration time men should try on a wearing embroidered kurtas as this brings out the mood of the festival," says Manisha Sharma, a fashion designer from a boutique Envie Designs in Kharghar. Manisha further asserts that as far as sarees are concerned netted ones are a lot in vogue these days. Besides, this time the clients are demanding patch work kurtas."
Its time you take advantage of this festival of lights and look stunning for all the days of Diwali. Whether it is kurtas with patchwork, bling tops or anarkali suits or the netter sar ees let the classiness and elegance come out rightly.