| Name of research project |
| Rangoli and Type 2 Diabetes |
| What is the project?
The traditional Indian art form of Rangoli is used to decorate doorways and entrances during festive occasions, but it was given a whole new meaning at an event hosted to increase awareness of type 2 diabetes. Leicester artists Milan Arvindkumar and Pravin Mistry of Leicester Belgrave Mela, both of whom are renowned for their creative Rangoli designs and workshops, were asked to create a culturally appropriate message for the South Asian community surrounding type 2 diabetes. It was created live during the diabetes event to generate discussions around healthy diet, exercise and lifestyle changes to prevent diabetes. |
| What is the aim? |
| The aim of the project was to design a culturally appropriate message for the South Asian community surrounding type 2 diabetes.
Flowers thrive through care and attention and need nurturing in order to blossom and show off their natural beauty, so the underlying message used via the unique Rangoli design was that people should nurture their body just as you would nurture a flower in order to have a fruitful life. |
| Who is involved? |
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| What are the benefits? |
| The live design became a talking point during the type 2 diabetes awareness event which encouraged people to discuss their health more openly.
The colourful Rangoli is now used as a learning resource, and can be seen on posters and displays to raise awareness to prevent type 2 diabetes as well as promoting messages of healthy eating, physical activity, a balanced diet and lifestyle choices for families throughout the city. |
| Contact |
| Sunny Rohit |
| Useful links |
| Time lapse video of the Rangoli artwork being developed |
