rangoli

English

Etymology

From Marathi रांगोळी (rāṅgoḷī), from Sanskrit रङ्ग (raṅga, “colour”). Compare also Hindi रंगोली / رَن٘گولی (raṅgolī).

Pronunciation
  • (UK) IPA(key): /ɹaŋˈɡəʊli/

Noun

rangoli (plural rangolis)

  1. (India) A geometric or stylized design on the floor (or other flat surface) made using small coloured granules or powder. [from 19th c.]
    • 1997, Kiran Nagarkar, Cuckold, HarperCollins, published 2013, page 188:
      In one corner of the room she had drawn an incredibly elaborate painting with rangoli powder of the Flautist and herself dancing the raas on the banks of the Jamuna.
    • 2023, Radhika Iyengar, Fire on the Ganges, Fourth Estate, page 143:
      The client is given the option of having multicoloured rangoli designs around the pyre, as well as the freshest flowers to decorate it.

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