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.

Anagrams

• gal-iron, garlion, groinal, ringoal