With Her Unusual Deed of Sharing Joy, a Retired Teacher From Kolkata Has Captured the Hearts of the City’s Citizens

The hangover will last for a long time even if the Diwali holiday is ended. The celebration marks Lord Rama's return following the Battle of Lanka. Diwali requires a celebration that includes not only family but also others who are close to you. To commemorate their time together, people bring gifts and candies to each other's houses. On Diwali, rangolis are very popular, and people enjoy decorating their homes. Imagine waking up one lovely Diwali to discover a massive, exquisite rangoli at your door! Ratnabali Ghosh, 72, surprised the people of Kolkata by making lovely alpana artwork on the steps and outside of random homes on Diwali and Kali Puja. Before Kali Puja and Diwali each year, Ghosh and her companion Mudar Pathera work together to complete this task. They have collaborated to beautify hundreds of homes in Kolkata's north and south.  Her Art is Spreading Joy With a natural ouch! (Source: Google Images)  A passionate retired educator, decided to showcase the art form she had studied under Nandlal Ghosh of Modern Indian Art ~  We can just appreciate the intricate detailing to it ~ (Source: Google Images)  Bengalis practice the South Asian traditional art form known as alpanas. Rangoli and alpanaa or alpona share a similar art form, however alpanas always feature a unique emblem associated with the religious celebration for which they are created. During these auspicious days or special occasions, alpana is used to decorate the floors, courtyards, and doorways of Bengali homes.  Traditionally, paints created from rice flour are used to sketch alpana. Artists use their creativity to produce a variety of patterns, such as paisleys, floral patterns, a combination of solid and hollow geometric shapes, and symbolic depictions of animals and other items.Speaking about the tradition, Ghosh said, “I noticed that everyone was using artificial designs and stickers, so I wanted to revive this art form. We must not forget that this is a traditional art form of the Bengalis, and it needs to continue. That's why we decided to create alpana anonymously. Mudar insisted that I do this. As a child, I watched my mother do alpana, and I joined her, which inspired me. I have been doing this for the last three years.”As the Diwali lights fade, the warmth and spirit of the season linger, reminding us of the connections we cherish. Ratnabali Ghosh’s heartfelt initiative to beautify homes with traditional alpana designs captures the essence of Diwali—a celebration of light, artistry, and togetherness.