Rangoli is a traditional art form using sand which originates in India.

For Student Appreciation Day this year, Aarti Joshi was inspired to bring a tradition from home to celebrate NC’s commitment to diversity.

The Program Assistant in the School of Media, Joshi created a vibrant Rangoli art display featuring a red maple leaf and blue NC button logo.

“We were trying to present the two cultures,” said Joshi, who explained that Rangoli is displayed outside of Indian households to be welcoming.

Rangoli, which means “an array of colours” in Sanskrit, is an Indian art form in which patterns are created on surfaces using sand-like materials such as powdered limestone, red ochre, dry rice flour, coloured sand, quartz powder, flower petals, and coloured rocks.

Rangoli is created for many Hindu festivals and celebrations like Diwali, with designs passed down from generation to generation of women. Joshi learned the tradition from her mother-in-law and sister-in-law after she got married.

“In India I am from a different culture where we don’t make Rangolis, but then I got married and learned the ritual from my husband’s family,” said Joshi.

While she doesn’t consider herself to be creative or artistic, Joshi’s colleague, Stacey Baker, encouraged her to share it with the College, and helped her source the sand from a vendor in Port Colborne.

“Stacey encouraged me … so she was my motivation behind creating this art.”

To ensure correct proportions, the School of Technology created a foam stencil of the maple leaf. They also provided a stencil of the NC logo.

“My main concern was ensuring the flag was proper so not to hurt anyone’s sentiments,” said Joshi.

The design – which features the blue NC button logo in the bottom corner – took Joshi two and a half hours to create.

“Putting Niagara College’s logo along with the flag represents NC’s belief in diversity and mixed culture,” said Joshi.

The Rangoli was beloved by students.

“They were so excited. They took photos and shared it to Instagram, and actually I came to know from my family and friends back home that this was put on Instagram from one of the international students.”

“Niagara College and Canada believes in bringing cultures together and celebrating each other’s heritage, and that is what this represents.”

Baker says she’s grateful to Joshi for her willingness to share her culture with NC, and said the reaction from International students especially was tremendous.

Next year, Aarti wants to give students a chance to create their own Rangoli.

The piece will be on display for a limited time at the Welland Campus outside the School of Media office in Simcoe S324. All are welcome to come by and see it for themselves.