Rangoli was something that just `happened' to Narsimha Deshpande. This 26 year old airconditioner mechanic had a secure job with Godrej. But when Rangoli cast its spell on him, there was little he could do except give up his job and devote himself to it.``My mother drew rangolis for festivals regularly. But I was not interested in until I saw a man in Shaniwar Peth drawing a rangoli outside his house. That made me curious. I thought that if this man can draw rangolis, why can't I?''That was seven years back. And even today he feels the same fascination he felt then. Says he, ``Initially I'd do this at temples and for Ganpati immersion. People began noticing my rangolis and I got invitations from Shirdi, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi and Jabalpur.''Doesn't Deshpande find it hard to practise rangoli at a time when people choose to put plastic stickers at their doors? ``In fact that is the reason why I am so keen on promoting this art form. Generations ago rangoli brought people together. ``Besides a rangoli in the room changes the environment. It's vibrant colours make you feel happy and the symbolism takes you back to your roots,'' he points out.To a rangoli illiterate, this looks like a collection of patterns, but Deshpande explains the significance behind each of them. Rangoli uses 12 symbols that Deshpande incorporates in all his patterns. ``Whenever I start a pattern, there are these aspects of rangoli that I make sure I incorporate. These are the Gau padma which is the cow's feet and is considered auspicious, then the Kendra vardhini, a circular shape signifying the universe.``A plain circle is called the Purnimecha chandra or full moon, the Sarpa reysha (angular lines) is akin to the movement of the snake, Swastik is a sign of speed and the chakra (concentric circles) stands for transformation. A lotus reflects motherly love and a saffron flag is for sacrifice.''Though Deshpande incorporates the classical style he sometimes uses everyday items into his rangoli. ``If I like the design of a grill on a window, or a pattern on a salwar kameez, I use it in my rangoli. For a change I simply use mounds of different coloured powder so that they resemble bunches of flowers.'' His love for rangoli has also made him experiment with different platforms.``I have painted not just on the floor, but even on mud and water,'' he says. At B.D.D Chawl in Worli, Mumbai, Deshpande did a rangoli on water. For that he had to first pour oil over the water. Then cover that portion with sawdust and charcoal powder. ``Then I sat on a wooden plank that is supported by the walls of the tank and began my rangoli.'' For this man, who has painted 35,000 rangolis in the last seven years, it is a passion that has cast its hypnotic spell on him. For when he draws, he is lost in the joy it brings to him.
