Embrace Mandala

I am Bala Thiagarajan, an Indian immigrant artist based in Arvada, CO. I am thrilled to

present this installation featuring my acrylic painting, Embrace Mandala, paired with its reflection recreated on the floor as a rangoli made of colored sand. Rangolis, a cherished ritual in Indian culture, are created to celebrate festivals, mark special occasions, and invite positivity into homes. They symbolize joy, prosperity, and the fleeting beauty of life, as they are meant to be temporary—wiped away by time, weather, or footsteps.

In my work, I’ve taken this ephemeral art form and transitioned it to something more permanent on canvas. The mandala painting captures the vibrant colors and symmetry of rangolis, preserving their essence in a lasting form. By presenting the painting alongside its reflection in sand, the installation offers a complete picture—the traditional folk art that inspired me and its contemporary reinterpretation.

The painting features rich textures you can almost feel, while the rangoli is more delicate, crafted from tiny grains of sand. Together, they create a harmonious image—a balance of inspiration and modern expression. I invite you to pause, to not only see the mandala but also its echo, to reflect on the traditions that connect us to the past and inspire new forms of expression. This interplay of permanence and transience is a reminder that beauty exists both in what endures and in what is destined to fade.