Lamp decor

Hi there, so tomorrow is Ganesh Chaturthi and here I am with a post on decorating your lamps before placing them in your Ganesha decorations.

Do not place your lamps directly on the floor or any other surface.  Instead follow these simple and easy ways to highlight the lamps.

1st way...

Draw a kolam or a rangoli. You can always use stencils which are easily available in the markets too. Enhance the outline with flowers and then place the lamp at the centre.

2nd way...

Take a banana leaf and cut a round piece, larger in diameter than your lamp. Place this underneath the lamp and encircle it with marigolds . Greens and orange make for a interesting combination.

3rd way...

Surround your lamp With petals of different colours just like a onam pookalam. You can make this floral rangoli according to the size of the lamp. This enhances the look of the lamp.

Try these ideas and let me know. Though am doing this for Ganesha chaturthi, you can always try these ways for the festival of lights, Deepavali 🪔🪔🪔

Ganpati decoration with warli theme!

These are images from my archives which I wanted to share with all of you.

 Warli art, as you know is a tribal art form of Maharashtra,immensely popular these days due to its simplicity and ease in understanding the concept.

They are drawings of everyday living of the tribal, also depicting the special occasions they celebrate.

Very thoughtfully conceptualized and used as a perfect backdrop for Ganesha this is the creation of Anjali Gadgil who is a commercial artist by profession.

Last year,when she bought the Mushikavahana home,she gave Him a warm welcome with this warli theme.

If you notice carefully,the drawing on the right hand side depicts Ganesha within home and all the festivity around Him.There is celebration, people dancing and singing, playing various instruments and apart from all these the daily activities happening in the lives of the common village man.

I have always enjoyed such decorations where there is a personal touch and a sign of our deep rooted culture and tradition. Am sure, Ganesha must have truly enjoyed his stay in such a wonderful setting. Don't you agree?

Painted Prayers

You know what PAINTED PRAYERS are? They are traditional Kolams or Rangolis.

According to wikipedia,"Kolam  is a form of drawing that is drawn by using rice flour/chalk/chalk powder/white rock powder often using naturally/synthetically colored powders in various parts of India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and a few other Asian countries. A Kolam is a geometrical line drawing composed of curved loops, drawn around a grid pattern of dots. In South India, it is widely practised by female Hindu family members in front of their houses. Kolams are regionally known by different names in India, Raangolee in Maharashtra, Aripan in Mithila , Hase and Raongoli in Kannada in Karnataka, Muggulu in Andhra Pradhesh,Golam in Kerala etc., More complex Kolams are drawn and colors are often added during holiday occasions and special events.

Kolams are thought to bring prosperity to homes." In earlier days,these rangolis were made of coarse rice powder not with the only intention of decorating but also to invite ants, small birds and other creatures to feed on them.It signifies a world of harmonious co-living.

A little variation from the traditional South Indian style are these rangolis but nevertheless amazing.

This festive season get inspired by these designs and try some in your own home.

Sharing some designs I found on Pinterest. Kudos to the artist. 

Simply superb isn't it? Floored by the floral motifs... The name' painted prayers' is apt. You are sure to invoke God's blessings too, thru these hand paintings.

Enjoy the festivals all of you and try implementing some of these beauties in your own home.