Wooden, woollen and mat rangoli find favour with Pune flat residents ahead of Diwali

At Diwali, the rangoli laid out in front of homes and the lamps placed around it catch everyone's eye. But as lifestyles change in Pune, the form of rangoli is changing too. Alongside traditional coloured rangoli, the market now offers several options such as wooden, woollen, mat and artificial rangoli.

These are in particular demand among families living in flats, where space is limited and time is short. For this reason, women are choosing these new options. New designs are selling well in the market.

Wooden rangoli, made by filling colour into patterned wooden moulds, is drawing people's attention. It does not need to be drawn or stuck on the floor. It can be easily moved from one place to another, so it can be placed at several spots, including the main door of the house. It comes in different shapes, such as round and square.

For women who do not know how to make rangoli, the mat rangoli is proving useful. It comes in separate pieces and can be arranged by following the pattern printed on the packaging. Notably, it can also be reused. During the festival days, it saves women time amid cleaning and decoration work.

Woollen rangoli has also become a special attraction this year. It is made from wool and silk threads. Designs of various flower shapes and in fluorescent colours give the home a good look. It can be washed, so it can be used again. It can be used to decorate corners of the house, staircases and the edges of walls.

Sticker rangoli is also in demand. The market has sticker rangoli in different sizes, stickers of Lakshmi's footprints and stickers of toran. Sieves for making rangoli with patterned imprints are also available, priced at around Rs 10 to Rs 50. Women are using them to decorate well in little time.

Shivani Pathare, who makes woollen rangoli, says these rangoli are in great demand at Diwali. According to her, it is a good way for working women to decorate the home well in little time. Women who stay at home also get a chance to make and sell such rangoli, and can start a small business from home and earn an income.