Children expressed joy participating in Rangoli Competition

By Indrawattie Natram
Artistic skills were displayed by Secondary School students this year at the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha Inter-Secondary School Annual Rangoli competition held on October 17 at the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School (ARMS). The competition is organised annually by the Sabha and is coordinated in the various regions by the respective Praant.

Hundreds of students from seven Secondary Schools in Region Two were excited to participate in the competition. The secondary schools that participated were Anna Regina Multilateral, 8th May, Abram Zuil, Aurora, Johanna Cecelia and Charity Secondary Schools.
Their excitement filled the air as the competition began at 11:30 hours. Children were seen colouring rice, sketching and also making creative designs on ply boards. Teachers were seen nearby giving guidance to the children.

Sohini Dass from the Abram Zuil Secondary School said that the competition has allowed students to showcase their artistic skills and to unlock their true potentials. She said last year she was also part of the competition and had planned that this year the team would improve on their artistic design and neatness. The school’s rangoli depicted a peacock which signifies the cycle of time in Hinduism. The rangoli was adorned with flowers and diyas showcasing the significance of the festival.

Rea Ramlall from Charity Secondary school said that it was her first time and it was fun for her. She thanked the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha for allowing her to be part of such activity. Ramlall said it was a nice experience to be among other children.
Amalika Persaud from the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School said that she enjoyed the moments spent with her peers. She said the competition had a maximum of two hours and 12 students from her school were busy making the design. Their design depicted an instrument that is linked with Hinduism and also had diyas.

Renhasa Featherson who represented the 8th May Secondary said their rangoli depicted the peace and goodwill of the festival.

Aurora Secondary School children were excited and very creative. Their rangoli was adorned with lighting diyas. Some of the schools finished before their allotted two hours. The Winner of the competition was Abram Zuil Secondary School while second was Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary and Third, Aurora Secondary. The other schools received a certificate of participation and all participants will receive a certificate from the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha. Rangoli is an art form originating in the Indian subcontinent in which patterns are created on the floor or ground using materials such as coloured rice, dried flour, coloured sand or flower petals.