What is the first thing that comes to your mind when a festival is around the corner? What is the inseparable decoration that completes all occasions by adding different shades of colors into dynamic patterns?

Undoubtedly, it’s the Rangoli – an immemorial practice that has given a distinct identity to the rich culture and tradition of India. Head towards any place in India and you’ll find it under varied names with varied significances. 

 

 

Interactive Rangoli – Intersection of Technology and Tradition: 

 

After a certain high level of technical skill is achieved, science and art tend to coalesce in esthetics, plasticity, and form. The greatest scientists are artists as well. – Albert Eistein

 

The interactive rangoli is a concept that brewed at the maker space, Banaao- A Maker’s Playground one year back with an intention of celebrating Diwali in an out of the box way and at the same time teaching students some concepts of electronics at an intersection of technology and tradition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The interactive Rangoli is more than just colors. It consists of colorful lights along with sensors. In India we believe in “Atithi Devo Bhava” and every host has the responsibility of greeting their guests well. Since at times it becomes a little difficult to personally welcome so many guests at your place, why not welcome them using the motion-sensing rangoli and make them feel special.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Version 1 to Final Product

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good things take time and a lot of patience. While our first version was out last year (video link), as our first prototype came in less than a week, we conducted a few workshops to help students build these crackers by themselves. The first version caught everyone’s imagination but was still far from what we had imagined. Over the period of time, and with continuous user feedback on design and functionality, we bring to you the intricately designed, thoroughly tested and creatively made E-cracker.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The advantages of the E-Cracker:

• Fire it up like a matchstick or even any remote — safe for younger kids.
• While green crackers reduce the rate of pollution, e-crackers completely eliminate the threat of air pollution.
• The e-crackers are a one-time investment and thus are cost-efficient as compared to the green crackers.
• The e-cracker doubles up as a Bluetooth speaker and thus can be used for music playback.

So this Diwali let’s pledge to be more responsible by boycotting the conventional firecrackers and switching to the eco-friendly and durable e-crackers and contribute towards making the earth a better place to live in and India truly digital.

Content Credits: Ms. Asfa, Content Development Team, Banaao — A Makers’ Playground