Mandana art has always been symbolic of festive occasions in Rajasthan.Sacred moments are sanctified by these line drawings. Text translated by Harpreet Kaur Mandana, a unique art form, from the state of Rajasthan, is extensively used at weddings and during Diwali, Holi and other religious occasions. Mandana drawings were done on mud layered walls of homes, on public walls and chawks (squares). But these types of homes no longer exist to recreate a perfect mandana art motif, and so this art form is fast disappearing.
Seeing a mandana reminds me of colourful Rajasthan and makes one want to sing 'padharo mhaare desh..' (come to my land). Memories immediately spring to mind, of sand swirled landscapes where sunsets are a riot of colours - deep yellow-ochre and splashes of red. A slow moving caravan of camels in the background that look like cut-outs moving on the sand in slow motion, rounds off the nostalgic moment. During the Pushkar and the Jaisalmer melas, the dholak, sarangi and khadtal keep time and rhythm as tales of valour of Rajasthani heroes are being sung. As the night progressively turns cold, the winds cause ripples on the sand. |