If you’ve visited the lower level of the Duke Library recently, you’ve experienced a colorful feast for the eyes. The sand art on the floor of the atrium is known as rangoli– an ancient Hindu art form from India. The rangoli is in celebration of Diwali, the festival of lights on November 12th.
The beautiful artwork was planned and coordinated by Disha Patel, a Research Desk Student Assistant and President of the ASIA Club. She collaborated with the Asian Studies Department and the Libraries.
In a New York Times article, Jugnu Verma, an artist and arts educator in Columbia, S.C., said “The Christmas tree is to Christmas as rangoli is to Diwali. It’s incomplete without it.”
To learn more read “The Art and Ritual of Rangoli” in the NY Times. Activate your free NY Times subscription here.