Sankranthi Muggulu 6

SANKRANTHI SUBHAKANKSHALU


Sankranthi festival is one of the important festivals of India. It is called by different names in different parts of the country and neighbouring countries. But one thing that is common is its closeness to nature, greenery and the agricultural sector. It is the festival signifies abundance, auspiciousness and sign of the wellbeing in the coming months.

In Norh India,
Himachal Pradesh, Punjab -Lohri

In East India,
Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Orissa -Bhogali Bihu, Makara Samkranthi


In Western India,
Gujarath and rajasthan - Uttarayan(Kite flying festival)
Maharashtra - sankranti


In South India,
In Andhra Pradesh- Sankranti - సంక్రాంతి
In Tamilnadu - Pongal
In Karnataka - Sankranthi
In Kerala - Makara Vilakku Festival in Sabarimala Temple
Other parts of India as Makara Sankranti

In Nepal,
Tharu people - Maghi
Other people - Maghe Sankranti or Maghe Sakrati
In Thailand - Songkran
In Laos - Pi Ma Lao
In Myanmar - Thingyan


In South india,
The celebrations take place for 5 days starting with,

Bhogi, Sankranti, Kanuma ,Mattukanuma, Yeedadhi Panduga in Andhra Pradesh .

But we are following it for 3 days in the modern ages .

On Bhogi day,

The houses are cleaned and the waste materials and unwanted stuff is put to fire .It is an occasion to clean the entire house and welcome the new grains into the granary.

Little children have a festivity of "Bhogi pallu", wherein all the elders ,friends, relatives and neighbours pour the "a mixture regi fruits, flowers, sugercane pieces, coins" and bless the kids.

Sankranti:

The next day the grand day with everyone cooking the "Pongal" with the new rice and perform pooja to the gods and goddesses. Muggulu are the highlight. Boys fly kites . There is also a tradition of bullock cart races, cock fights(kodi pandaalu).

Other significant features of the festival are, Bommala Koluvu, Hari Dasu Keerthanalu,

Gangiredhulavallu, Teppa Thiranaala (The village gods "Utsava Moortulu " are taken in a decorated boat with flowers, lights in the local village river for darshan of all public.), local festival santha or jaatara is also seen in many villages.

Special sweets like Arisalu, Chekkalu, Chakraalu, Sajja Boorelu, Gaarelu, are made with the new produce from the fields.

Kanuma:

The third day is the festival of Kanuma. On this day the bullocks are decorated and pooja is performed to the cows, bullocks and all animals who aid the farmer in his tasks.

The speciality of the Muggu is the "Ratham Muggu". ( More on ratham Muggu in my next post)

The designs are all draw innovatively by the women of various districts in Andhra Pradesh, which are published in daily in the Dhanurmasam by telugu newpaper ANDHRA JYOTHI.
Our thanks to the newspaper management for encouraging the art of Rangoli/Muggulu and making it accessible through the print and elctronic media via internet.

Courtesy: Andhra Jyothi Newspaper

Courtesy: Andhra Jyothi Newspaper

Courtesy: Andhra Jyothi Newspaper

Courtesy: Andhra Jyothi Newspaper

Courtesy: Andhra Jyothi Newspaper

Courtesy: Andhra Jyothi Newspaper

The colors of kites, Rangoli, Muggulu, food and the new harvest bring in new meaning to the life and enhances the beauty within and around .

Muggulu-Rangulaharivillu(ముగ్గులు రంగులహరివిల్లు)5

MUGGULU-FESTIVALS:

1Tiruppavai:

This is a festival of 30 days in praise of Sri Narayana by Sri Andal(Goda Devi).

Chanting 30 pasurams -one every day for the Lord Krishna in this Dhanurmasam is very auspicious.It is a prayer to keep the world in peace,prosperity and provide the needs of everyone helping fellow beings.

Early morning vratham, in this month starts with putting huge designs before every house and rendering the prayers to the Lord.

2 Christmas:

This is a very important festival for all . It signifies the spirit of helping others,giving the needy and peaceful living. A symbol of extreme sacrifice of the lord for the benefit of the mankind. The birth of the Lord is welcomed by everyone through the prayers,Santa giving gifts,Christmas tree ,bright candle lights and singing Jingle bells

Jingle bells! Jingle bells! Jingle all the way !

Oh, what fun it is to ride a one horse open sleigh!

Jingle bells! Jingle bells! Jingle all the way !

Oh, what fun it is to ride a one horse open sleigh!

Sankranthi:

Maha Siva Rathri:

Muggulu-Rangulaharivillu(ముగ్గులు రంగులహరివిల్లు)3

Muggulu -Songs

The importance of Muggulu has been written by many prominent writers.It is a visual festival for the eyes. Its a representation of prosperity auspiciousness and well being.

Ardent devotee of Sri VenkateshwaraSwamy, Tallapaka Annamacharya has composed a beautiful rendering in praise of god 600 years back. Gobillu are symbolic to the Sankranti festival and they are placed over the muggulu and decorated .All the ladies and girls of the village circumambulate around the Muggu decorated with gobbillu.

కొలనిదోపరికి గొబ్బిళ్ళో, యదుకుల స్వామికి గొబ్బిళ్ళో,

కొండ గొడుగుగా గోవుల గాచిన కొండొక శిశువునకు గొబ్బిళ్ళో

దండగంపు దైత్యుల కెల్లను తల గుండు గండనికి గొబ్బిళ్ళో !!

పాప విధుల శిశుపాలుని తిట్టుల కోపగానికిని గొబ్బిళ్ళో

యేపున కంసుని ఇడుమలబెట్టీన గోపబాలునికి గొబ్బిళ్ళో !!

దండివైరులను తరిమినదనుజుల గుండె దిగులునకు గొబ్బిళ్ళో

వెండిపైడి యగు వేంకటగిరిపై కొండలయ్యకును గొబ్బిళ్ళో !!

kolanidOpariki gobbiLLO yadukula svAmiki gobbiLLO

koMDa goDugugA gOvula gAchina koMDoka SiSuvunaku gobbiLLO

dMDagampu deityula kellanu tala gunDu ganDaniki gobbiLLO !!

pApa vidhula SiSupAluni tiTTula kOpagAnikini gobbiLLO

yEpuna kamsuni iDumalabeTTIna gOpabAluniki gobbiLLO !!

danDivairulanu tariminadanujula gunDe digulunaku gobbiLLO

venDipaiDi yagu vEmkaTagiripai konDalayyakunu gobbiLLO !!

**********

In this aspect 3 songs from the following movies come to mind

1 Muthyala Muggu (ముత్యాల ముగ్గు )

The telugu film “Mutyala Muggu” in 1975 ,produced by Mullapudi Venkata Ramana and directed by none other than the great artist /director Bapu has become an instant success bagging many awards. The song written by Arudra, music composed by K.V.Mahadevan, sung by our melody queen Smt P.Susheela has become a household song for every auspicious occasion with native touch and perfect settings.

“ముత్యమంతా పసుపు ముఖమెంతో చాయ, ముత్తైదు కుంకుమా బతుకంతా చాయ,
ముద్దు మురిపాలొలుకు ముంగిళ్ళలోన, మూడు పువ్వులు ఆరు కాయల్లు కాయ….

ఆర నైదోతనము ఏ చోట నుండు? అరుగులలికే వరి అరచేత నుండు,

తీరైన సంపద ఎవరింట నుండు ? దినదినము ముగ్గున్న లోగిళ్ళ నుండు.

కోటలో తులిసమ్మ కొలువున్న తీరు ,కోరి కొలిచే వారి కొంగు బంగారు,

గోవు మా లక్ష్మీకి కోటి దండాలు,కోరినంథ పాడి నిండు కడవళ్ళు ,

మగడు మెచ్చిన చాన కాపురం లోనా, మొగలి పూలా గాలి ముత్యాల వాన,

ఇంటి ఇల్లాలికి ఎంత సౌభాగ్యం,ఇంటిల్లి పాదికి అంత వైభోగం

To listen to the song,click on the link below:

http://chimatamusic.com/playcmd.php?plist=4701

“mutyamantaa pasupu mukhamentO chAya, muttaidu kunkumaa batukantA cAya,
muddu muripaaloluku mungiLLalOna, mooDu puvvulu aaru kaayallu kAya….

Ara naidOtanamu E chOTa nunDu? arugulalikE vari arachEta nunDu,

teeraina sampada evarinTa nunDu ? dinadinamu muggunna lOgiLLa nunDu.

kOTalO tulisamma koluvunna tIru ,kOri kolichE vAri kongu bangAru,

gOvu maa lakshmIki kOTi danDAlu,kOrinantha paaDi ninDu kaDavaLLu ,

magaDu mecchina chaana kApuram lOnaa, mogali poolA gaali mutyAla vAna,

inTi illAliki enta soubhAgyam,inTilli pAdiki anta vaiBOgam

***********

2 Undamma Bottu Pedatha (ఉండమ్మా!బొట్టు పెడతా )

The song is written by the great Devulapalli Krishna Sastry ,with music by K.V.Mahadevan , sung by S.P.BalaSubramanniam and P.Susheela. It was dramatized excellently by Jamuna and Dhulipala as Haridasu.

The silhouetted ambiance and the festive mood has to be seen and listened to be experienced

The lyrics have a deep meaning ,

Its inviting Goddess Lakshmi to bring in prosperity and describes the the surroundings in a very subtle way-the birds are chirping, the sun brought light to the world and whole village has woken to embrace the grace of the divine energies .

The courtyard of every house is sprinkled with water to draw the muggulu with rice flour or limestone powdervto invite the goddess .In the auspicious month of margasira ,which is very sacred and Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Geetha has told that among all months he is Margasira , and the Sun transits in Dhanur rasi (Sagittarius ). Praying in the mornings is said to be sacred during this month.We place gobbiluu (Ball of cow dung )on the muggu and apply turmeric and kumkum ,decorate with flowers, lighting the agarbhatti (aroma sticks) treating it as goddess.

Showing our gratitude to nature , animals and people and seeking gods blessings is the motto of the song.

రావమ్మా మహాలక్ష్మీ రావమ్మా

రావమ్మా మహాలక్ష్మీ రావమ్మా

నీ కోవెల ఈ ఇల్లు, కొలువై వుందువు గాని

కొలువైవుందువు గానీ కలుమూలా రాణీ

గురివింద పొదకింద గొరవంక పలికె, గోరింట కొమ్మల్లో కొయిల్లు పలికె,

తెల్లారి పోయింది, పల్లె లేచింది,పల్లియలో ప్రతి ఇల్లు కళ్ళు తెరచింది .
కడివెడు నీళ్ళు కలాపి చల్లి గొబ్బిళ్ళో గొబ్బిళ్ళో,

కావెడు పసుపు గడపకు పూసి గొబ్బిళ్ళో గొబ్బిళ్ళో,

ముత్యాల ముగ్గుల్లో, ముగ్గుల్లో గొబ్బిళ్ళో,

రతనాల ముగ్గుల్లో, ముగ్గుల్లో గొబ్బిళ్ళో.

క్రిష్ణార్పణం

పాడిచ్చే గోవులకు పసుపు కుంకుం,

పని చేసే బసవనికి పత్రీ పుష్పం,

గాదుల్లో ధాన్యం, చావిండ్ల భాగ్యం,

కష్టించే కాపులకు కలకాలం సౌఖ్యం

క్రిష్ణార్పణం

To listen to the song,click on the link below:

http://chimatamusic.com/playcmd.php?plist=3508

rAvammA mahAlakshmI rAvammA
nI kOvela I illu, koluvai vunduvu gaanikoluvaivunduvu gAnI kalumUlA rANI

gurivinda podakinda goravanka palike, gOrinTa kommallO koyillu palike,

tellAri pOyindi, palle lEchindi,palliyalO prati illu kaLLu terachindi
kaDiveDu nILLu kalaapi challi gobbiLLO gobbiLLO

kAveDu pasupu gaDapaku pUsi gobbiLLO gobbiLLO

mutyAla muggullO, muggullO gobbiLLO

ratanAla muggullO, muggullO gobbiLLO

kriShNArpaNam

pADiccE gOvulaku pasupu kumkum

pani chEsE basavaniki patrI pushpam

gAdullO dhAnyam, chAvinDla bhAgyam

kashTinchE kApulaku kalakAlam saukhyam
kriShNArpaNam

***********

3 Seetha Ramayya gari manavaraalu (సీతారామయ్యగారి మనవరాలు)

This 1992 blockbluster movie is another feather in the cap of nativity movies.Music by M.M.Keeravani sung by Chitra,Jikki and chorus is an instant hit and it is a situational song of Shastipurti .Who else can fit the role but DadaSahebPhalke award winner ANR and its a harbinger for Meena's film career.

వెలుగూ రేఖలు వారు,తెలవారి తామొచ్చి ఎండ ముగ్గులు పెట్టంగా

చిలుకా ముక్కులవారు చీకటితో తామొచ్చీ చిగురు తోరణ కట్టంగ---

To listen to the song,click on the link below:

http://chimatamusic.com/playcmd.php?plist=12463

velugU rEKalu vAru,telavAri tAmocci enDa muggulu peTTMgA

chilukA mukkulavAru chIkaTitO tAmoccI chiguru tOraNa kaTTMga

***********

Muggulu are thus an integral part of every day life of every home.

* Thankyou http://www.chimatamusic.com/ (for the songs).

Muggulu-Rangulaharivillu(ముగ్గులు రంగులహరివిల్లు)4

BORDERS AND MUGGULU

Another important feature of the Rangoli/Muggu are the borders on the four sides of the main design.It enhances the beauty of the Muggu and moreover creates a specific space vision. There are many beautiful patterns like creepers, flowers and also matching to the main theme of the design.

In some States like Tamilnadu, the border is smeared with brick red color liquid to give a wholesomeness to the design inside the border.It also is a symbol to keep away the evil eyes on the home.

MUGGULU-RANGULA HARIVILLU (ముగ్గులు రంగులహరివిల్లు)2

MUGGULU-DIVINITY-YOGASANAS

In the second series of Muggulu –Rangula Harivillu, a detailed explanation of the designs, drawing techniques and significance are detailed.

BASICS :

Basically they can be are drawn as
1 Guided
2 Freehand

Guided is further divided
1 By dots
2 By lines

Dots are placed uniformally in two ways

1 Parallel to each other (Count is same or reduces evenly by 2)
Pattern 1: Eg: 5-3-1 (forms a triangle pattern).If both sides the count is reduced it will form a diamond pattern



.
. .
. . .
. .
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Pattern 2: Eg: 5 @ 5 times (forms a square pattern)


. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
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2 Middle dots (Count reduces by 1)
Eg: 5-4-3-2-1(Forms a diamond) For a hexagon

Also while drawing the pattern there are 2 ways,

1 By joining the dots. Dots become the integral part of the design and not visible. We see them at intersections of lines. (It will be seen in different forms,shapes and designs) (Akruti Muggulu)















2 By drawing a curved line between gaps. The dots are visible along with the lines (Muthyala Muggulu).














DIVINITY IN RANGOLI:

Rangoli is considered as auspicious and divine as Sree MahaLakshmi Devi .Daily cleaning the front of the house ,hallway or pooja room and putting Muggulu is a way of inviting the goddess to our homes and where the goddess resides there will be prosperity.So it has got a great significance in our culture and no event is started without the Muggu welcoming the event. Even the Yagna havans and homams are decorated with the symmetric patterns of rangoli before the actual performance of the yagna.

లక్ష్మీ క్షీర సముద్ర రాజ తనయా శ్రీరంగ ధామేశ్వరీం
దాసీభూత సమస్త దేవవనితాం లోకైక దీపాకురాం
శ్రీ మన్మంద కటాక్ష లబ్ద విభవత్ బ్రహ్మేంద్ర గంగాధరం

త్వాంత్త్రెలోక్యకుటుంబినీం సరసిజాం వందేముకుందప్రియాం


lakshmi kshIra samudra rAja tanayA SrIranga dhAmESvarIM
dAsIBUta samasta dEvavanitAM lOkeika deepAkuraaM
Sree manmaMda kaTAksha labda vibhavat brahmEndra gaMgAdharaM
tvAMttrelOkyakuTumbinIM sarasijAM vaMdEmukundapriyAM





The patterns signify the occasion and by seeing the entrance of a house decorated with the muggu reveals the significance of the day.

Our elders have always given importance to morning prayers and every action of us –like eating,drinking water,taking bath etc is only possible with the Gods’ grace So we need to thank them at everystage of our lives. They say Goddess lakshmi resides at the tip of the hand ,in the center of the palm resides Sarasvati,the goddess of wisdom and at the base of the palm is Govinda. So early morning praying to these gods and showing our obeisance is possible when we start drawing the rangoli with our hand.


కరాగ్రే వసతే లక్ష్మీ
కరమధ్య సరస్వతీ
కరమూలే తు గోవింద
ప్రభాతే కరదర్శనం

Karagre vasate Lakshmih
Karamadhya Sarasvati
Karamulee tu Govinda
Prabhatee karadarsanam







YOGASANAS AND MUGGULU:

Also when we are preparing for drawing the muggu ,the postures we sit ,lean or stand are the yoga asanas.such is the greatness of our culture that every action of ours becomes a guidance to more purposeful life and imbibed in it are the life’s secrets.

Now you must be wondering what is the relation between the Muggu and Yogasanas.

In early days and even in some homes today,Rangoli is put 2 times a day –Morning and Evening.It is the way of inviting the gods to bring peace,happiness and good to all in the home and world in general.Surya namaskarams and Sandhya vandhanam.So now we can understand the relation. The lady of the home,


1 When she is cleaning the floor-the bending posture-Pada hastasana
2 When bringing water in the bucket and sprinkling water-Udaraka Asana,Pavana Muktha Asanas,ParsvaThadasan
3 While putting kolam-eyes,hands,neck,fingers wrist rotation movement- Pavanamuktha Asanas
4 When leaning forward-Pada hastasana
5 When sitting and drawing-Katichakra Asana

So these asanas put the required physical movement on the particular parts of the body, which will enhance the health of the lady enormously.It cures lot of health related issues of ladies like back pain,abdomenal problems,thyroid,hormonal secretion and above all the psychological well being as she draws the patterns ,the creative mind is being sharpened.

In a broadway,it perfectly fits the concise definition of Yogasanas in Pantanjalis “Yoga Sutras”---

స్థిరం సుఖం ఆసనం

STHIRAM SUKHAM ASANAM

-meaning that position which is comfortable and steady.That implies ,it make our body to comfortably be in a position for an extended length of time,as is necessary for meditation.

Don’t you see reason and purpose in all this?

Unfortunately, in todays society and jetstream patterns of life,we have given this task to our helping maids or totally taken to sticking a plastic paper with glue on oneside with a colorful design on the otherside and in some homes it is a forgotten daily routine except for festivals. Thank god at least its just an occasional ritual in some homes. Some solace atleast!


Also another interesting relation to the importance of rangoli is ,”Salutations to the Mother Earth” , or “Bhoomi vandanam “ who is the daughter of god of oceans and the consort of Lord Vishnu,on whom we daily walk do our daily chores and which gives us the food to eat,and daily oxygen for our lives. We are asking the mother goddess to pardon us .

సముద్రవసనే దేవీ
పర్వతస్తన మండలే
విష్ణుపత్నీ నమస్తుభ్యం
పాదస్పర్శం క్షమస్వ మే



Samudravasane devi
Parvatastana mandale
Vishnupatni namstubhyam
Padasparsam ksamasva me

We are invoking the goddess to bless and reside in our homes with auspiciousness,prosperity,good health,wealth and destruction of ignorance.


నమస్తేతు మహామాయే
శ్రీపీఠే సురపూజితే
శంఖచక్ర గదాహస్తే
మహాలక్ష్మీ నమోస్తుతే


Namastetu mahamaye
Sripeetee surapoojithe
Sankhachakra gadaahasthe
Mahalakshmi namostuthee


Goddess Mahalakshmi,my obeisance to you ,who is adorned by sankham,chakran in hands and seated on the highest pedestal and Srichakra which is a symbol of your divineness and I invite you to my home through the medium of muggu to bless us.


The patterns signify the occasion and by seeing the entrance of a house decorated with the muggu reveals the significance of the day.





FESTIVALS AND MUGGULU:

1Padmam or lotus patterns,flowers,creepers,plants: Ganesha,Lakshmi,Dasara,Batukamma,,temple festivals
2 Sankha, chakras: Vaikunta ekadasi,
3 Pots,coconuts,sugarcane,kites,bullocks carts ,cocks,chariot : Pongal,Sankranthi,harvest festivals
4 Themes designs : Independence day ,New year and marriages and festivals
5 Cartoons of dolls,animals: Kids specials festivals,cradle ceremony,childrens day




GROUP EVENTS :

There is culture in India that at any school,college or University level talent functions rangoli competition is a must.Even on special occasions and festivals Rangoli competitions are an integral part .
The best part is it is not taught in any classroom sessions but is a family tradition where the children learn from the parents and it is passed on for generations .

Muggulu -RANGULA HARIVILLU(ముగ్గులు రంగులహరివిల్లు)1

దీపావళి /Deepavali









Ganesh Puja
Sankranti/Pongal

లక్ష్మీపూజ / లక్ష్మీపూజ

న్యూ ఇయర్ / New Year

World is full of colors.Every color is unique and w cannot imagine a life without colors. We represent the seasons by colors, festivals ,occasions and even each day every second we observe our surroundings are filled with colors.


We associate our feelings with colors-like



White-Peace,calmness,Pleasant


Green-Prosperity,Serenity,Good omens


Yellow-Traditional ,auspicious


Red-Energy,


Blue-Vibrations,


Black-Deep Silence ,Simple





Like wise every fetival has a specific color dominating


Ganesh Chathurdhi-Orange,Yellow


Pongal-Green


Dassera-Red


and Holi-a festival of colors





Even political parties


Congress-White


TDP-Yellow


TRS-Pink


other parties have green, blue and multiple colors.





Like wise artists create paintings in various hues and express their views through the medium of colors. There canvas is paper,cardboard cloth ,glass,wood etc.


The lesser known artists in every home in India ,who have made ,mother earth as their canvas and paint their designs are the seed for the big artists to bloom.An insiration-Mother,sister,wife,friend.


This artform is RANGOLI.


It is called by different names in every State of India.



Rangoli-in most parts of India


Muggulu-In Andhra Pradesh


Kolam- In Tamilnadu and Kerala


Alpana-In Bengal


Aripana -in Bihar





Each has a distinct style and mediums and motifs.



Basically it can be wet floor or dry.


Wet floor: Front of the home is cleaned and cowdung is smeared.After it is dried, rice powder is used as a medium to draw the designs.


Dry floor:With space constraint in cities,and apartment culture booming ,floors are washed and chalkpiece or rice powder in water is used as a medium.



Why rice powder?



We live in harmony with nature. When in specific seasons food is not adequate ,small ants depend on this powder for food. in fact, its seeing that even minute creatures are given food and shoe our generousness and share what god has given us with the needy.


Such small act but big moral.Isnt it unique ?Its not taught in any school.



Patterns:


Round,Square,Diagonal,Pentagonal,Hexagonal depending on the occasion


Styles:

Free hand with motifs and figurines-Flowers,creepers,fruits,portraits

Using Dots

Dots are important before drawing a design as they give a definite shape to the pattern.


1 The designs attach dot to dot and line formations give the shape to the motifs-Bommala muggulu


2 Dots are visible and line are drawn in between dots-Chukkala /Melika /Muthyala muggulu

Now coming to the adding life to muggulu-oh,i mean adding colors to the pattern is very important and meticulous job


We need

1 Colors

2 Medium to mix the color for easy spreading-This medium can be the limestone powder, fine sand ,rock salt,rava (coarse rice powder)

3 Flowers

4 Diyas

It is said that Goddess Lakshmi resides in the homes which welcomes her through the art of rangoli.


Some festivals have rangoli in the forefront like


*Onam in kerala-Rangoli is done with flowers

*Sankranthi-Where beautiful rangolis are drawn and small balls of cowdung decorated with flowers and turmeric and kumkum are put and puja is performed around the rangoli.

One article says


Rangoli:
A design, usually geometric, drawn on the ground in front of a house or other dwelling in the colors of the morning sun, to represent inner awakening.


This tradition has to be handed over to the next generations .It is not only a culture but enhances the creativity of the childrens' mind and the right side part of the brain which is creative will develop .