Pune: Rangoli — the traditional Indian art form that adorns homes, offices, showrooms and other spaces during festivals has evolved in both form and inspiration, slowly tilting towards AI for inspiration.
Most artists make rangoli the traditional way, but technological innovations like AI allow many to visualise the final piece before creating it. Rangoli makers are embracing AI to create stunning and intricate designs for commercial establishments this festive season.
“While making portrait rangolis, AI helps provide reference. Ultimately, the artist has to draw by hand, but AI makes it easy to understand the play of shade and light and texture essential in case of portraits. I use AI and Photoshop, and my creations will be at showrooms and exhibitions for this Diwali, too,” said Uday Dawal, a professional rangoli artist.
Meanwhile, award-winning rangoli artist Bhagyashree Deshpande said, “I’ve drawn a large traditional design in Seasons Mall for Diwali. I have used colours, various types of kundan, diyas and mirrors.” Deshpande holds two world records — for the largest 3D rangoli of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the largest one of Lord Vithoba. “Like every year, I have many bookings in Pune and the USA,” she added.
Artists said earlier, magazines and books would be used to ideate and nature was the inspiration before that. Today, AI represents the latest evolution and an easily accessible source of creativity, helping people blend tradition with modern.
“AI is like having an instant way to visualise the ideas in mind. Tools like AI Meta are useful. I can input prompts to generate reference images,” said Prashant Suvarn, an art and design teacher at Mumbai Educational Trust (MET).
He said, “I worked with a scooter company for its Diwali promotions. In the past, brands would call on us specifically to create designs, but now they want images that can be created using AI and Photoshop, etc — modified to fit their vision.”
“Contemporary rangoli artists have embraced innovation by integrating new materials and mediums,” said Jugnu Verma, an award-winning Indian folk artist — who practises, popularises and teaches the art in the USA. “Designs have evolved from traditional geometric patterns, deity impressions or lotus motifs to a diverse range of imagery, abstract patterns and 3D designs. Artists are adopting and combining trends,” she added.
Rangoli artists across Pune are booked for Diwali. “I have many bookings. I have been practising for the past many years professionally,” said Poonam Bayas, another rangoli artist. References to rangoli can be traced back to India’s oldest painting treatise, Chitralakshana, highlighting its long-standing significance.