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Pre-K & Kindergarten – MandalasThe name, mandala, comes from the Sanskrit word for circle and refers to the sense of wholeness created by both circular forms. The mandala's purpose is to help transform ordinary minds into enlightened ones and to assist with healing. Often, mandalas are used as tools to focus the mind during meditation. The mandala begins with the center, radiating out with symbols and designs as the pattern grows larger. The circular designs symbolizes the idea that life is never ending and everything is connected. The mandala also represents spiritual journey within the individual viewer. It can be painted, drawn, or even made from colorful sand.
Below are some examples of different kinds of mandalas. The last two were made by Ms. Jasper at a recent trip to the beach. Choose one of the blank mandalas to color, or use objects from around the house or outside to create your own mandala.
Ask an adult to take a picture of your work and send it to Ms. Jasper at [email protected]
1st & 2nd Grade - The Toran: Gateway to the Indian Home
India is a country that is rich in culture and diversity and full of friendly, warm people. Hospitality, or welcoming guests into your home, is of particular importance in India. Guests are treated with great respect, and Indian hosts take great care to make people visiting their homes feel special. The traditions of welcoming guests in India are involved and require meaningful preparation. In India, guests are really thought to be esteemed; they are honored and treated with upmost respect. Let’s take a look at some of the ways that guests are greeted into people’s homes.
NAMASTE - If you have taken yoga, you may have heard of the greeting “Namaste” (NUH MUH STAY). Namaste, however, has a different meaning in yoga class than it may when said to guests. In yoga, when one hears “Namaste”, there is a very spiritual feel to it, like a prayer. For welcoming guests, Namaste is the traditional way that Indians say hello. It is also how Indians say goodbye. When a guest is greeted at the doorway of an Indian home, the first thing the host of the home would likely say, with palms together and held in front of the chest, is Namaste. Namaste translates loosely to “I bow to you”. By saying Namaste with palms together, the host is showing respect to his guest. Keep in mind that, as a greeting, Namaste is not necessarily spiritual. It’s a just traditional way of saying hello in India, but with a respect element. So, if your friend who is young like you comes over to play, you typically would not say Namaste. Instead, you might just say hi. But, if your friend’s father came over to visit your father, you would greet him with Namaste
because you would want to show him respect. Adults also say Namaste to one another, to show each other this respect.
THE TORAN - In India, there is another important aspect to consider in greeting guests – the entrance to the house. The entrance to the home is very important as is it considered to be a sacred gateway. It separates the outside from the inside; and the dust, grime, and noise of the outdoors from the cleanliness and tranquility of the home indoors. The toran (TO RUN) is a traditional Indian door decoration found all over India and one of the ways Indians express their hospitality to guests. Decorating the entrance to your home is one way to show your guests how special they are. The entrance is the first thing they will see after all. The word toran comes from “torana” (TO RUN UH), which were originally sacred gateways to temples in ancient India. Torans used to be made of wood or stone, ranging from being very simple to featuring very elaborate, ornate carvings. Today, leaves, flowers, beads, and cloth are meant to mimic intricate stone carvings of the ancient torana. The toran’s function, however, has not changed – to welcome guests and gods alike, blessing everyone that walks under it.
In southern India, doors are often decorated with toran made from green mango leaves as they are thought to clean polluted air. Marigolds or other flowers may be added, too. The mango tree is considered to be a sacred tree in India, so hanging mango leaves is thought to prevent negative energy from entering the house.
In northern and western India, torans are made of colorful embroidered fabric panels and are decorated with pictures of mango leaves and flowers in place of the real things. Patterns, designs, and symbols are also
popular as are drawings of birds and elephants. Borders are added with additional patterns and sequins and sparkly beads to make each toran a true work of art!
An especially prized accent used to embellish the cloth toran is shisha (SHEE SHUH) or “little glass”. Shisha is a type of embroidery where tiny mirrors are sewn into fabric. Around each mirror is colorful embroidery holding it in place; no glue is used. These mirrors are added to the toran to confuse and ward off any evil spirits. Shisha work is unique to the Indian subcontinent, and many of these designs are passed down orally through generations of women.
The panels of the toran are then strung together and hung over the top of doors and windows. Below are some images of Torans Today, you will have a chance to make your own, too, by using one (or all) of the Toran Coloring Templates to create your own doorway hanging. If possible, have an adult take a photo of your work and sent it to Ms. Jasper at [email protected].
3rd Grade - Traditional Wall Art from Ancient India, Rajasthan In ancient India, art is a part of daily celebration of life. The prehistoric caves of Bhimbetka in India are a UNESCO World Heritage site. They are appreciated for their handmade artwork on walls and ceilings of rock shelter homes of our ancestors. Wall art continues to fascinate contemporary India too. These worksheets are inspired by ancient Indian motifs, still in use, as wall art in homes and living spaces in Rajasthan, a western state in India. The motifs are inspired by nature and symmetry. You may notice a theme of growth, light and animated celebration. From the times of Bhimbetka art, limestone, iron oxide rich red soil (Geru), yellow soil (Ramraj), Charcoal, etc. natural colors have been used, with water or fat/oil as solvent.
History Bhimbetka art was directly on rock surface. Since manmade homes started being made, walls came to be plastered with a clay and Indian cow dung mix. On this smooth and bacteria free surface, natural colors continued to be used. Bright, water soluble colors are still popular. Turmeric and kumkum, henna leaves paste (for wedding rituals), indigo, are also used to paint the walls now. Now these motifs are still used on brick and cement plastered modern homes too. The composition, layout, free flow of design, balanced with symmetry promotes left and right brain coordination, and a sense of well-being and happiness is an immediate effect. Enjoy the wonders of wall art from Ancient India! The tradition is still alive. These pictures are from my trip with other teachers to Choki Dhani in Jaipur city, Rajasthan, India. Below is a photo example, as well as some example drawings of traditional Indian Wall Art. Create your own wall art drawing using a similar style. If possible, have an adult take a photo of your work at send it to Ms. Jasper at [email protected]
4th & 5th Grade - Henna Hands
Origins: The art of henna (mehndi in Hindu) has been practiced for over 5000 years in South Asia, Middle East and Africa. Since the henna plant has natural cooling properties, people in the desert would create a paste and use it to cool themselves down that would stain the skin, leading people to use it for decorative purposes.
Traditions: Henna is traditionally used for holidays, birthdays and weddings throughout Asia and parts of Africa. One popular tradition is “Mehndi Night” where the bride with her family and friends come to celebrate the wedding. The night is full of dancing, games and music. The bride gets her henna patterns drawn on by henna artists and can take multiple hours to complete!
Use the blank hand template (or make an outline of your own hands) and the henna examples to create your own henna designs. Some example images are also included below. If possible, have an adult take a picture of your work and send it to Ms. Jasper at [email protected]
