“Like a Rangoli, life often turns from being a simple dot to an admirable work of art.” However, like most things in life, we do not notice the beauty and inspiration in simplicity even when it’s right at our doorstep. Notion Press, India’s leading self-publication platform, presents Vatsalya, a selection of handpicked rangoli designs, by Mahalakshmy Manoj Nair.

Rangolis are art forms that source energy from an individual’s inspiration. Created on the floors of living rooms and courtyards of homes using various elements from Mother Nature such as coloured rice, dry flour, dyed sand or flower petals, they symbolize the varied facets of life; they represent beauty, hope, tradition and most of all, the impermanence nature of life. In Vatsalya, author Mahalakshmy Manoj Nair has picked out the best designs from her extensive collection of rangolis which she had created over a period of time. These graceful designs are created with immense love, care and attention to detail for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and festivals like Diwali, Dussehra, New Year and so on.

Nair was able to create these designs as she finds solace in the same; the entire process is meditative for her and evokes a sense of spirituality within her. Vatsalya comprises of free-hand rangolis along with some traditional kolams with a twist, galicha (carpet) rangoli design, portrait rangoli and pookalams. Each of these designs depicted in the book is presented in two ways; one with diyas and another, without. Nair has opted for diyas to highlight the mesmerizing effects induced by the warm hues of the lamp when it is strategically placed on or around the design.

Nair believes that creating something of such beauty offers her a sense of accomplishment which flows from the fact that she was capable of making them from scratch. These colourful rangolis embody the spirit of positivity by reflecting vibrancy and grace. These meticulous designs require the dedication of several hours, and in certain cases, days, to create and are a process that the author finds immensely delightful. However, these rangolis have a very short life-span. Hence, Nair strives to offer these designs with longevity through Vatsalya, and in that process, be used as an aesthetic object that may even inspire other artists in any little way possible.

Vatsalya author Mahalakshmy Manoj Nair was born and raised in a simple middle-class family in Chennai. With the good fortune of experiencing the rich South Indian culture, she was introduced to the art of drawing kolams at a very early age. As a child, the duty to draw kolams every morning and evening in front of their house was entrusted to her. This interest intensified as years passed by and she soon started experimenting with various kinds of rangolis. Today, she specializes in freehand style rangoli. Among various forms of creativity, Nair finds making kolams and rangolis as the most satisfying as she feels that the design she creates on paper come alive at the moment she translates it into a rangoli. With the glow of a diya, these designs accomplish a whole new dimension.

Vatsalya by Mahalakshmy Manoj Nair is aesthetically gratifying and would spark inspiration within yourself to go out there and create forms of beauty from oblivion. Grab your copy of Vatsalya in print and e-book format at the Notion Press Bookstore amongst other leading e-commerce portals such as Amazon and Flipkart.