Simple rangoli designs 5 dots
Making rangoli designs for Diwali with dots with colours in a few steps
My mother used to tell us that rangoli should be drawn with thin lines because in her opinion too much of anything is not good.
Our family tradition is that everything should be within limits. ( It is only our belief and it it not necessary it should be followed because different people, families have different customs ). Drawing kolam or rangoli,
I also learnt from my elder sister (mother is our first teacher ) who drew beautiful kolam or tipke rangoli or tipkyanchi rangoli designs ( as she calls them - she moved from Salem to Nagpur ! )
For Navratri, she used to spend a lot of time drawing kolam before God and Goddess from the first day of Navaratri till Dusshera or Vijaydasami
. When I discuss with her after so many years she said that drawing kolam made her komal in typical Marathi style !
Observing the two pictures closely will show how the rangoli powder is pushed with the thumb this is evident from the position of the thumb at the beginning and when the line is completed.
The lines in the images are relatively thick when compared to the usual lines I draw for rangoli designs. This is because it is a demonstration.
.jpg "thumb postion near the end of the line")
Now, some small kolam with dot pattern - 5 dot grid
Simple rangoli designs - 5 dots for Chhath Puja
Thhe dot pattern used is 5 by 5 and then 2 and 1 dots on all four sides. Draw the central design and surround with three petaled floral designs. The remaining dots are used up with patterns as shown
How to make a rangoli of 5 dots- simple butterfly design
5 pulli 5 varisai kolam
This rangoli design the latest addition to this post. Obviously, a butterfly rangoli pattern. A 5 by 5 dot pattern is used. Draw the four butterflies at the four corners, first the wings and then add the head and antennae, free hand.
Use the remaining dots to draw a flower and its long, long stalk. The colour chosen for the butterfly designs, orange and green for a white rangoli make it suitable for Independence Day or Republic Day. So far as symbolism is concerned, butterfly represents freedom among many other things. So it is all the more apt to draw it for these days.
The same rangoli has been drawn in a four steps using the dot pattern 5 by 5.but with different set of colours The dot grid has been placed four times.
The first grid on the top left shows the stage after the wings are drawn. The image on the top right shows the antennae added , free hand. The third and fourth image shows the branch or creeper drawn using the remaining dots.
Small butterfly kolam with 5 pulli step by step
How to make a rangoli of dots - birds or peacock patterns kolangal
Nature plays an important part in drawing rangoli ( or kolam). It is but natural that we imitate (or copy) her. Naturally (!) we have to attempt to draw beautiful birds as beautiful (!) rangoli. We cannot come anywhere close to Mother Nature when comes to beauty, colours. Of the many birds, the peacock (India's national bird) has fascinated us for ages for its beautiful plumage.
This simple rangoli the latest rangoli design added here a humble attempt to try one with just a five by five dot template to draw peacocks (!) and the video has also been added. It could be used as a simple rangoli design for Krishna Janmashtami decoration due to the colour combination used.
Some more rangoli designs simple and small - theme birds
Place the dot grid, draw a central design in two steps as shown above, connect the remaining dots to get the birds rangoli. The head and tail are drawn using the dots and beak is drawn free hand. There are quite a few five dot designs in rangoli with 5 dots
You can add any other design as desired by you, or leave it as it is. Finally fill the rangoli with colours. While drawing the basic rangoli it is desired to have as thin lines as possible. Again this comes with
practice. 
Using a basic dot grid of 5 to 3 ( idukku pulli called so because the dots on either side of the row of dots are placed at the centre of the dots in the previous row ) the two images show how three birds and six birds are drawn.
The first image and first stage shows a star shaped design drawn first. Consider a dot on the right side at the centre and one above it using these two dots the body of the bird and its tail are drawn . Similarly two more birds are drawn.
Another rangoli with 5 dots with birds designs.The dot grid five to three dot pattern. It is a birds rangoli design. From each edge of the hexagon the neck of the bird is drawn to the dot grid. The head and beak are added free hand. I have used blue and orange colours for the birds. A simple and easy rangoli design. It is five dot six birds rangoli.
They may include some rangoli designs shown here
Simple dots rangoli with simple birds designs with 5 pulli 5 varisai
This kolam uses a five by five dot grid. After placing the dots place two more dots at all the four corners one horizontally on the left or right and the other vertically on the top or bottom.
The three images shows the intermediate steps. While drawing the step in the first two images is easy. Drawing the curved lines to get the final birds designs has to be done with care. The extra dots are used to get the tail of the birds.
5 dots easy kolam
Two images showing how to draw this simple kolam with mango leaves patterns
5 dots kolam rangoli in these images
Since the leaves are supposed to represent mango leaves such kolam are usually called maavilai kolam (maavilai is Tamil for mango leaves). Since this post is for learning rangoli I have tried a very simple and easy design. The steps needed for drawing this rangoli are below the image.
Mango leaves are associated with auspicious occasions in Tamil Nadu. It is common to find entrances decorated with thoranam or toran made of mango leaves during festivals like Pongal, Ugadi, Varalakshmi Pooja, Tamil New Year and house warming ceremonies and of course Navratri kolu decoration. Hence the importance to these designs.
Actually this design below has some mango leaves. since this is an important rangoli, the steps involved are shown in the image on the right (instead of a video to make it more user friendly I hope
T ulsi rangoli design for Diwali festival or Tulsi Vivah
Add the base and the plant using free hand patterns.. Tulsi rangoli with dots can be drawn for festivals like Navratri and of course Tulsi Vivah. The two images in black and white show two intermediate steps.
The Tulsi plant or maadam (as it called in Tamil ) or Tulsi vrindavan can be drawn with dots or free hand or a combination of both. A plain and white rangoli version has been added below.
Same rangoli on OHP sheet
The image below shows an intermediate step when the design in drawn on OHP sheet after fastening it on the top of the rangoli drawn with pen or pencil
The same rangoli after filling colours in the "maadam" and the Tulsi plant. An ideal art and craft idea for a gift on OHP sheet for Diwali or Navratri.
Small kolam designs for Karthigai /Deepvali with dots
However, small kolam can also be made colourful like the one in the photo . It is a rangoli design with 5 dots the dot pattern being 5 to 3 ( interlocked dots ).
Place the dot grid draw the hexagon at the centre, draw straight lines to the edge of dot grid from the each edge of the hexagon,
Connect the straight lines with curved lines as shown. Fill with blue and pink lines. The diya design in orange has been added free hand outside the dot grid. The simple decoration inside the hexagon with blue and pink colours is optional.
A simple vilakku kolam design for Karthigai or Deepavali if you are looking for a small design.
The image below show the rangoli in three steps and is a 5 to 3 dot pattern ( 5,4, 3 on either side ) kolam with a hexagon at the centre. From each of the hexagon draw deepam patterns as shown. Fill the kolam with a few colours. The steps for drawing this kolam or rangoli are shown in 3 steps. First the hexagon at the centre is drawn and from each edge straight lines connect the outer dots.
Then connect the dot between the lines with curved dots. Add lamp designs as shown as also colours.
kolam with 5 dots
So, the kolam in the image below, with just 5 dots and the theme that is congruous with Deepavali a deepam kolam. The dot pattern is 5 to 3 (interlocked dots aka idukku pulli in Tamil ).
Very few colourful lines have been added instead of filling up the entire design to make the kolam as simple as possible. ( Note it may not be easy as it appears to be though it is with five dots )
A free hand leaf border has been added around the rangoli. The image for this rangoli design has been added below the image. First draw the four diya patterns. Add the floral and leaf patterns for the remaining dots. Add the free hand patterns connecting the lamps through two green leaves as shown.
Continuing with Karthigai Deepam it is celebrated on the full moon day in the Tamil month Karthigai when the moon is in the constellation, Krithika. Earthen lamps with oil are lit in the evening in many houses and the cities and towns are brightly lit.
In cities where many live in apartments, it is common to see lamps lit around the rangoli at the entrance ,on the staircase and in the sit-outs. In Tamil Nadu it is celebrated with the same fervour as Diwali
How to make a rangoli with dots (simple muggulu chukkalu ) - simple floral patterns
small flower kolam designs with dots or 5 pulli flower kolam
Very small flower drawing in kolam
Draw the four flowers on the edges of the rangoli. Create the central design using the remaining dots. Draw yellow lines parallel to the flower design to create flowers.
The final rangoli image is as shown . Since the patterns used are simple, this is an easy rangoli design with dots and can be used by children also to practice. Though this is quite an easy rangoli design the image below shows in three steps how this floral rangoli with 5 by 5 dot grid can be drawn in just three steps.
However, the final image has different colours to show how we can apply colours to a rangoli according to our imagination.
Also, there are a wide variety of colours that can be used for flowers. Two stages of the rangoli of this design have been added for reference.
A simple flower rangoli with dots and floral rangoli without dots I tried for Akshaya Tritiya
Hibiscus flower kolam
Simple poo kolam - an intermediate step
This kolam is with dot pattern of 5 by 5. This reminds me of the flower datura (called oomatham poo in Tamil) the only difference being that datura is white in colour.
I hope this information is correct.The video is my YouTube channel showing the design drawn with dots. The picture on the right shows the initial stages of the kolam. The two images in black and white show how we can draw it without using a dot grid
The flowers in pink are drawn without a dot grid
poo kolam or rangoli with 5 dots
The same kolam above completed with two shades of orange this time the floral patterns filled completely with colours.
I have added the same design here - of course after drawing it again. Three steps leading to this simple flower rangoli design with 5 by 5 dot grid are shown in the image. Next - Simple rangoli with 5 dots - simple patterns
This is also a five dot rangoli. Draw the four designs along the edges. Draw the central design. Fill with green and red colours to the rangoli design. We can also add simple dots and curved lines to get the image below.
The rangoli design above is yet another rangoli with 5 dots. This design also has a free hand design influence as is evident in many of the rangoli design with dots also drawn by me. Two images in black and white showing two steps in this kolam or rangoli.
A beautiful rangoli design , isn't it. It is a design suitable for free hand drawing also. The pictures below show how to draw the rangoli
5 chukki rangoli step by step
The two pictures below, show how we can draw the same rangoli without using a dot grid. Theoretically it is possible for most rangoli designs and it should be easy for smaller rangoli.
The second rangoli above is a very simple free hand design. As usual a simple pattern at the centre decorated with simple motifs on four sides and with very small flowers with four petals mounted on leaves or petals inclined to the base.
Without chukki rangoli , small and simple - similar to the one above
Conclusion: Almost all (I say almost because I cannot with certainty say - all) rangolis with dots can be drawn free hand and those without dots can be converted into designs with dots.
We have to spend some time to decide on the dot template required to convert a free hand design into one with dots.
So far as the ones with dots are concerned, only flow of rangoli powder among the fingers matters to convert into a free hand design. Easier said than done. It may be difficult to get the exact symmetry in complicated dot designs when we try free hand.
. The image below shows how to draw the patterns on the four sides. The remaining dots are used up with patterns in the second image.
The next rangoli in the series is with a dot grid of 5 by 5 and is in the image below. As usual place the dots in an array of 5 by 5. Draw the four floral petal patterns at the four corners (in blue and pink). Draw the floral petal (the ones at the centre are simple petals ) at the centre. Use up the remaining dots as shown in the image or with symmetrical patterns or links of your choice to get the final image. . I have filled the entire rangoli design with colours. We may add colours according to our imagination and liking.The rangoli below, in this collection of 5 dot designs has been drawn with 5 by 5 dot pattern. The rangoli has been shown in four steps. First draw the lamps and then the birds as shown. Next - more kolam designs with dots step by step - birds and lamps theme
Ner pulli kolam a type of rangoli design with dots (simple chukkala muggulu ) can be of two types - one with dots in descending order on either side of a central row ( for example if the central row has 7 dots the rows on either side will be 5,3 and 1.
This type of dot arrangement is used usually when the patterns are symmetrical on either side of the central row & the other type is when the dots are of pattern 5 dots by 5 or 6 dots by 6. In these types usually you will observe that there is symmetry on the four corners of the rangoli design either separately or radiating from the centre.
Of course these are only guidelines- there are always exception to the rule. However symmetry is the central theme of any rangoli or kolam design whether free hand or with dots. The beauty of a rangoli lies in symmetry. Here again we imitate nature.
Simple kolam designs can also be drawn with few dots, 4 or 5 being among the simplest dot grids. The kolam below is with a 5 by 5 dot grid.
Place the dot grid, from the central dot draw four lines radiating on four sides to form the wings of the birds. Then draw the remaining portion of the birds, add the beak ( free hand ). Use up the remaining dots to get fruits that represent grapes. Quite a simple method of drawing a birds and fruits kolam with such a small dot grid.
Another birds kolam - a simple one again
Birds rangoli kolam with dots
5 dots deepam kolam - simple
The 5 dots are placed from top to bottom vertically, then four dots on either side and then three dots. A hexagon is drawn first as shown in the first image. Then the the deepam patterns are drawn from each edge of the hexagon.
The remaining dots are used to draw floral patterns ( small flowers that are cute ). Add colours as shown in the final image.
Deepavali can also be interpreted as Deepa oli ( light from the light ). So these small kolam with deepam or vilakku patterns. Of course these kolam can be drawn for Karthigai Deepam another festival when lighting of lamps is given importance.
rangoli - simple with 5 dots
The following images show the steps to a simple rangoli with dot grid 5 to 3 in between dots. Actually this was thought by me after placing the dot grid.
Most of my rangoli designs with dots particularly simple ones are thought of after placing the dot grid. The opposite pairs of patterns in this rangoli appear to be offset.
A different rangoli .
Rangoli designs - 5 dots simple patterns
The next rangoli is drawn with dot grid 5 to 3. The three images show how the rangoli is drawn. The outermost patterns are similar to what is called krishnan dindu kolam. The rangoli can further be decorated at the centre as shown
There is a common kolam that is drawn during Margazhi season . It is made of lines appearing inter-twined. This kolam is usually drawn free hand. One element of the kolam can also be drawn as a separate kolam. It has been drawn using a 5 by 5 dot grid. The curved lines are extended beyond the dot pattern through the dots. Finally the remaining dots are used up to form floral patterns at the four corners.
Traditional kolam step by step and with pulli
Two simple kolam using 5 by 3 interlaced dot grid. The first kolam through three steps after drawing the common star design the remaining dots are used up with birds designs drawn free hand as shown the remaining dots forming the eyes.
Further decoration is based on our imagination i.e adding the crown etc.
One of the best small rangoli with dots , shared by me - according to my viewers - based on viewership
Another simple kolam with 5 to 3 dots through the images below. Using commonly used patterns / motifs we can get a cute and beautiful kolam that will look more beautiful with a few colours added. 
One more simple rangoli kolam design
This big collection of rangoli can be drawn by those who are looking of small and simple designs for Margazhi kolam or Pongal kolam ( aka Sankranti muggulu ) and why not for New Year kolam that is small and simple ! Next - Floating rangoli / kolam for Navratri or Deepavali rangoli decoration idea with 5 dots rangoli design
Traditional kolam step by step and with pulli
However I would like to share the same rangoli through a series of photos to give an idea on this simple but beautiful type of rangoli designs.
How to draw rangoli on water !
How to draw kolam on water .
Given the nature of rangoli powder that is commercially available it will not float on water. So simple physics demands that the water be made denser than rangoli powder and this is possible only by adding something to water.
The normal practice is rice flour is added to water. After adding , do not mix it in water or stir. Sprinkle rice flour or any other suitable medium so that the rice flour (I have used rice flour in my version ) forms a dense layer on water on which the rangoli can float.
You will observe from the images that there is an occasional small rice flour ball on the surface of water. So sprinkling should be done as carefully and as evenly as possible.
There is no difference between drawing a rangoli or water or drawing it on floor. In fact we should not be too conscious of the fact that we are drawing on water - too conscious because we should take care that we do not shake the container with water otherwise we will have to do it all over again.
The first rangoli of this type has been drawn with 5 by 5 dot pattern. Place the dot grid as usual on water!.
It is better to choose a colour that is easily visible instead of white as the colour of the container in this case is white. Actually it is better to have a white background for rangoli with colours.
If we would like to draw a design with white powder it is better to have a dark background. Form the four floral petal designs by filling the blue rangoli powder between the dots as shown. Use the remaining dots to connect and form a curved pattern around the petals (in green colour ).
The motif in red colour has been drawn among the four designs on the four corners to enhance the beauty of the design. We can add a few more free hand patterns inside or outside according to our imagination. I have chosen a 5 by 5 dot grid due to the size of the vessel.
The size of the vessel restricts the dot grid used or the size of the rangoli in case of a free hand design.
Since lifting the vessel after drawing the rangoli may result in it getting erased it is better to first place the vessel or plate first where we want to have it and then draw the rangoli.
These floating rangoli are drawn for kolu ( display of dolls for festival called Navaratri ) as one of the means of decorating an already beautiful display of dolls. It can also be drawn for decorating with rangoli inside the house.
Rangoli by itself is an ephemeral art that it usually lasts for 24 hours when drawn daily. Drawing it on water makes it even more ephemeral and can vanish if not handled carefully !
The image shows the formation of the floral petals on the four corners.
The image shows the rangoli being completed.
Another type of rangoli decoration is drawing rangoli on a plate for aarti . A rangoli is drawn on a clean plate using cotton ear bud dipped in honey. Rangoli powder of various colours is sprinkled on the design drawn with honey to get this decoration. 
The popularity of Rangolisansdots encouraged me to publish a small book (e-book ) or pustakam for rangoli.
Significance of kolam
Kolam is drawn daily in the morning. Many also draw it in the evening. n. Kolam is drawn at the entrance of homes, We also find that this tradition or custom is followed at the entrance of shops, restaurants.
Apart from religious significance that is attached to kolam it also improves the ambience. Also it is one way showing that guests are welcome inside and that is what shopkeepers and other business establishments want.
Depending upon the size of the shop the kolam size also varies. We find very large kolam or rangoli designs near the entrance of big restaurants. I have seen rangoli designs at the entrance, rangoli borders on either side of the path way leading to the store or business establishment.
Colourful rangoli are also displayed in many places and on various occasions. It is now common to see these designs drawn on occasion of inaugural functions, at airports and when dignitaries visit some important places. So the kolam or rangoli now has an important role to play on a daily basis ( as it is in Tamil Nadu) and also in many other religious and social functions and gatherings.
On the door ways at the main entrance and all other rooms simple kolam patterns on either side of the threshold and one at the centre are drawn. As space available is less very simple kolam designs are drawn. Usually, simple kolam border designs are used.
At the centre of each room again kolam designs are drawn. As a result there is a need for a number of kolam patterns. So the more the patterns we know or learn the better. Hence Rangoli-sans-dots will have a number of designs as different and as unique as possible.
Some of them are those that are regularly used by me and some are creations (!) of my imagination.
1. How to choose a colour combination for a rangoli
Here we can use nature as a guide when we draw patterns from nature. When some non-specific patterns are drawn or when we want to have our own combination we should give freedom to our imagination. Also we may do some samples with rangoli colours (like filling some simple shapes near the actual rangoli ) to see if we are satisfied with the result. After all opinions vary from person to person and what is liked by one may not be liked by a few others.
2. How is it possible to maintain symmetry in rangoli ?.
I accept that it is not possible to maintain perfect symmetry in hand drawn rangolis with dots or without dots. Even in rangoli with dots if the dots are not placed properly, as the number of dots in the template increase the asymmetry is visible. In free hand rangoli the simpler the design better the symmetry!. - because as we draw many smaller patterns and motifs the resulting asymmetry is not magnified. When we try to draw one big rangoli with few big patterns, we can run into problems.
Hence we can only attempt to draw as symmetrical as humanly possible. When the use of rangoli powder on floor is considered the limitations of humans will definitely be seen.
Unlike rangoli drawn with sketch pens or ball pen in a note book or using a computer, hand drawn designs are naturalistic and therein lies their beauty.
The rangolis with intricate patterns drawn using a sketch pen/ball pen cannot be drawn on the floor with rangoli with the same degree of intricacy. We should try our best to get the best rangoli design with dots or free hand we can create within our limitation. Practise will make us go closer to perfection.
3. How to fill up colours in a rangoli ?
After finishing the rangoli design the next task is fill it with colours. We should first fill up the basic shapes like diya, circles, flowers, petals, leaves etc.
If we have time and we are confident that we will not spill rangoli powder on the original design, we can fill up the remaining gaps also.
A tribute to my mother , a great rangoli artist my guru for kolam.
Kolam art is handed over from generation to generation, from mother to daughter in India. We learnt many designs watching our mother or elders in the family draw (rangoli).
During holidays, after dinner when there was no television, we sat in a circle near our mother and discussed rangolis cooking and other arts and crafts that my mother knew as an Indian home-maker. Of course, we find that rangoli classes are held in cities and are also offered for children as a summer course or summer activity.
What ever the method the art rangoli is benefited and so are the participants.
As a young girl, I grew up observing my mother draw rangoli. This is true for all of us, we imbibe many of our qualities from our parents.
Her speed, skill and dexterity amazed me.I looked up to her then, I remember with nostalgia, the days she held my hand to teach me this art. We lived in a small town, then.. There was no television or computer when we were young children.
We were lucky in way because I learnt this art from my mother when we had time, and we had a lot of time to spare. My mother and my elder sisters and I had 'family meetings' and many a time they discussed rangoli and I watched or listened to them.
By no stretch of imagination, can I claim to be good at this art. I have learnt something and I am sharing my (very little) knowledge with you.
My mother invariably used to get the first prize in any rangoli competition that was conducted in the small town (Omalur near Salem, Tamil Nadu ) we grew up in. The designs drawn by me are a tribute to my mother, her expertise in rangoli art and an offering to her for teaching me how to (attempt to) draw rangoli.
This post may have answers to the following questions through the rangoli gallery1.How to draw a simple rangoli with dots (simple chukkala muggulu for daily use for festivals like Ugadi ) or 5 pulli kolam 2.How to make a simple dot rangoli design with dots step by step at home
3.drawing a simple birds rangoli pattern with 5 dots and to draw a simple flower rangoli with 5 dots
3.drawing a simple birds rangoli pattern with 5 dots and to draw a simple flower rangoli with 5 dots
This post may also have information on the basics of rangoli or kolam with dots i.e simple and small rangoli designs with dots for beginners or starters. Let us start with the simplest of dot patterns 5 by 5 ( 4 by 4 designs are in a subsequent post).
However if time permits I can post a few of this type also. Now in this series of 5 dots (or points or bindu as they are also called ) or chukkala muggulu in Telugu or chuki rangoli / chukki rangoli in Kannada - rangolis designs with dots, My sister ( from Nagpur ) calls them chotya rangoli or chotya rangolya. For my sister in Mumbai they are bindi bali or dot wali / vali designs
. I would like to upload the video or steps for each rangoli instead of the dot pattern or template because it would be of use for beginners .
Again there may be some influence of some free hand designs even in these rangoli with dots because as I wrote earlier my blog is rangoli-sans-dots! Hope you enjoy these designs.
This collection of 5 dots chinna kolangal or rangoli designs with steps may be of use to those who wish to celebrate Tamil New Year, Navratri , Dasara or Diwali with rangoli and are trying rangoli designs the first time or have been practising recently.
If one finds it difficult to learn with rangoli ( powder ) a note book can be used for learning and practicing. Though Pongal or Sankranthi through Margazhi ( or Margali ) is a season for big rangoli or kolam, these rangoli designs will be useful for those who want learn kolam and draw it at the entrance during this rangoli season.
How does one draw a rangoli? The techniques
A rangoli is a design drawn on the floor. The traditional method of drawing it is using rangoli ( powder ). Even few decades back and definitely centuries back ( I got this information from my elders. Any authentic information on this subject?) rangolis were drawn with rice flour only.
Now it is customary to use commercial powder only or a mixture of commercial powder and rice flour. The advantage of using this mixture it makes flow of powder among the fingers easier. So using this powder is the best (and traditional method) to draw these designs on the floor .
Still the appearance will not be to the level of a rangoli-powder drawn design Hence practising designs on a notebook with pencil or sketch pen starting from the simplest ones and then trying simple patterns on the floor with rangoli ( powder ) is a possible method.
However, finally drawing rangolis with rangoli (powder ) is the art and hence it has to be done that way. Practice makes a person come closer to perfection.