Georgetown leg of Rangoli competition attracts 15 schools
DPI, Guyana, Sunday, October 27, 2019
One of the features of the celebration of Diwali is the intricate Rangoli designs that adorn homes and mandirs. The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha held the Georgetown leg of its countrywide national inter-school Rangoli competition on Thursday last. The competition saw the participation of fifteen (15) schools around Georgetown.
Speaking at the event, President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Dr. Vindhya Persaud said “the history of the Rangoli in the country was started right here at the Dharmic Indra when the wife of the first secretary of the Indian High Commissioner over 25 years ago introduced it to Guyana, since then we at the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha would have been teaching Rangoli and encouraging it across the country.”
The schools were judged following which a trophy and a certificate of participation were presented to each of the participating school. The top five schools received first to fifth trophies and the top three schools were given additional prizes for their schools, Dr. Vindhya Persaud explained.
After a great display of talent and creativity, the winners were announced; Marian Academy came in first followed by Mae’s School, then St. Roses High School, fourth place was awarded to Bishop High School and in fifth place was Cacique Accounting School. Prizes for participation were also awarded to, Rajiv Gandhi University, Tucville Secondary, Queens College, St Joseph’s High School, Kingston Secondary, Tutorial High School, New Campbellville Secondary.
Dr. Persaud said, “it [Rangoli] is not only limited to schools, but people also make Rangolis when they have festivals, pujas and other celebrations.” She also mentioned that “our young people have an opportunity to learn of each other’s cultures, to research to understand each other and most importantly to start here with team spirit”.
Rangoli is an art form has its roots in India. In this art form, simple or intricate patterns are drawn by hand on the floor in a room of a house, or out on the road or in the courtyard. These are then filled with using various material most often coloured or dyed rice or flour and often adorned with flowers.