Art comes a full circle

Every place has energy. It has an effect on the person who lives there. So, it is important that a person’s living space gets decorated in a way that it complements his/her life. It is a place where the resident should be at ease. Art plays an integral part in bringing the calming effect to an area. Among the plenty of options available, mandala design is the new mantra of soothing interior décor.

The concept is spiritual in context and is related to Buddhism and Hinduism. “There are different kinds of designs. Mandala designs usually begin with a circle,” says Resmy Ajesh, an architecture writer and a mandala artist based in Bengaluru. “In earlier days, it was used for meditation purposes. Drawing mandala is a meditative process,” she adds. Mandala designs, which combine geometric patterns and religious symbols, are mostly found in religious centres. They are impregnated with meanings, one among them being one’s journey from misery to wisdom and enlightenment.

The design is pretty much in demand in the interior designing sector. However, people are not looking just for the traditional mandala. “They want contemporary styles that are theme based,” says Resmy. “Some brief us their preferences. One of my clients has asked for mandala featuring Krishna. For that, I improvised the style a bit and drew an image of Krishna surrounded by mandala designs. I have also done similar works on Ganesha, Buddha, Mother and Child,” adds Resmy, an autodidact.

In her opinion, Buddha designs have got more takers. “Also, people prefer black and white mandala designs to colourful ones. It is because minimalism is the new norm in interior designing. Everyone prefers a clutter-free, relaxed living space. Though prints are available in the market, hand-made ones have got more demand, for they are unique.”

Mandalas are done using different tools such as pen and paint. The price range varies according to the effort and material used. Do not think that mandala designs are just confined to walls. It can adorn floors, hallways and even tables! The idea is to fix mandala designs at places where one wants to sit back and relax.

(All mandela designs used in the article are done by Resmy Ajesh)

Circle of life
Mandala is a Sanskrit word which means ‘sacred circle’. These circular symbols are part of many cultures including Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity. In certain tribal cultures, they use it as an artistic outlet to explore their inner self. Many of the mandalas we come across are derived from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition where the work represents a pure and sacred existence of the space created by Buddha. These detailed and colourful paintings are done in the thangka style, and are considered a spiritual guidance tool that assists meditation. In Hinduism too, the work has spiritual connotations. It also has a reference to the Rigveda, one of the oldest scriptures.

Secrets of mandala designs
A mandala carries three meanings — outer, inner and secret. It signifies one’s journey in the circle of life. Some of the common symbols used in mandalas are lotus, bell and wheel with eight spokes. However, one can improvise the design according to the requirement. Following are a few benefits of installing mandala at home:
1. Brings peace and serenity to mind
2. Helps in attaining balance
3. Gives a sense of calmness.
4. Improves concentration
5. Lets your creativity flow
6. Soothes your eyes
7. Heals a person as the circular design reflects wholeness of a person