Vadodara Artist Creates Rangoli Magic at BRICS Summit

VADODARA :  A traditional Indian art form from Vadodara made a striking impression at the BRICS Summit in Delhi, where renowned Rangoli artist Rajendra Dindolkar was specially invited by the Ministry of External Affairs to showcase his craft before Indian and international delegates.

Dindolkar, accompanied by four students—Prachi Ayre, Avani Dindolkar, Rajesh Rathwa and Bhargav Patel—created a 14×14-foot traditional Rangoli over three days. He also staged a live demonstration of creating the BRICS logo on water.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin were among the dignitaries who viewed the artwork. Dindolkar said Modi personally approached him and appreciated his work.

“We were giving a live demonstration of creating Rangoli on water. When Prime Minister Modi saw it, he came over and spoke to me. His appreciation instantly washed away the fatigue of three days,” Dindolkar said.

The artist said Modi was particularly delighted when he learned that Dindolkar was from Vadodara and spoke Gujarati.

“He said, ‘Oh, wow! You speak Gujarati so well!’ I told him I was from Vadodara, Gujarat. He smiled and praised the artwork,” Dindolkar recalled.

Dindolkar, founder and president of Vadodara’s Swastik Kalakar Group, said his passion for Rangoli began in childhood under the influence of his father. The group has been promoting the art since 1985 and organises an annual Diwali Rangoli exhibition in Vadodara.

“Such appreciation from eminent personalities is a tremendous inspiration to take this art form forward,” he said.