Our Bureau
Singapore
Vijayalakshmi Mohan, a renowned Singaporean artist of Indian origin, has transformed the traditional Indian art of rangoli into a vibrant, cross-cultural phenomenon, earning her the prestigious Stewards of Intangible Cultural Heritage Award from Singapore’s National Heritage Board this year. With over 60 years dedicated to the craft, Mohan has not only preserved but also reinvented rangoli, making it accessible and relevant to Singapore’s multicultural society and audiences worldwide.
Mohan’s journey began in Srirangam, South India, where she learned kolam—a form of rangoli—from her mother as a child. After moving to Singapore for work, she devoted her spare time to teaching rangoli in community workshops, eventually integrating the art form into government-sponsored art exposure programs from 1997 onwards. Her efforts have since involved thousands, from preschoolers to the elderly, across Singapore’s diverse ethnic groups, making rangoli a symbol of unity and creative expression.
Her innovations include the creation of all-weather rangoli—designs that withstand rain and sun for months—using a unique adhesive process developed with her husband. This breakthrough allowed her to display rangoli outdoors, including a record-setting rangoli made from 100,000 newspapers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mohan’s Guinness World Record for the largest rangoli and more than 50 Singapore records highlight her impact and dedication.
Recognizing the need for inclusivity, Mohan founded SingaRangoli, a platform that adapts rangoli for people with allergies or mobility issues by using recycled materials like bangles, spoons, earbuds, mirrors, and CDs. Participants can create rangoli at tables, making the art form accessible to all, regardless of background or ability.
Beyond artistry, Mohan has pioneered the use of rangoli in art therapy, conducting sessions in hospitals, old-age homes, and mental health centers. Her approach demonstrates rangoli’s therapeutic benefits and its power to foster community and healing.
Today, at 66, Vijayalakshmi Mohan continues to inspire, innovate, and connect communities, ensuring that the ancient art of rangoli not only survives but thrives in new and meaningful ways across Singapore and beyond.
