‘Life keeps us busy.’ We’ve heard of this and have experienced it too. You are often tied up with routine daily life tasks that finding time for yourself without worrying about anything or anyone is rare. And when you do, what do you do? Hobbies, perhaps? There are different categories of hobbyists. There are those who have fixed interests and hobbies. They follow their hobbies whenever they get time. They are rarely lost and have it all sorted. Then there are those who believe that they have no hobbies that pique their interest. There is one more category of hobbyists who are in constant search of finding new activities that they can experiment and adopt as a hobby. These are people who are open to ideas and try their best to keep themselves updated with the latest fads. They try out different activities and pick ones that please them. These hobbies might or might not stick for long, but it won’t stop them from trying out something new tomorrow. One such hobby that was abundantly followed since Covid began is what I’d like to talk about- Mandala Art.
‘Mandala’ means circle in Sanskrit. It has a deep spiritual significance in Hinduism and Buddhism. Mandala art refers to circular, detailed geometric designs. The designs are such that the act of drawing them brings forth a calm and soothing feel. The act of repetitive designing in different colours and shapes helps relax. The response is similar to how a person undergoes an unwinding process when they listen to trance music that works on repetitive melody phases. It helps you loosen up. That’s what this art does.
In our stressful lives, we constantly require mediums that help us relax. In a Covid world when everyone was locked inside, that need was accentuated. Mandala art has always been around, and artists have dabbled it in the past. But, in a lockdown world, many picked it up for the first time and have liked it ever since. Now, if you are thinking, ‘Woah, this sounds like major art and I can’t draw,’ fret not. Designing Mandala art is one kind of hobby, there’s another kind (my favourite kind) which is ‘colouring’ Mandala art. You get large-sized Mandala colouring books for adults (yes, adults! I double checked.) My friend introduced me to these books and boy, were they good! These books have Mandala designs that only need colouring. There are designs that range from simple to complex. You can choose any sort of pens or pencils for colouring. Sketch pens, colour pencils, ink artist pens, crayons, etc. You can choose whatever fits your colouring style and knock yourself out. What I love the most is that you can colour while lost in thought. It calms your mind and even gives way to multitasking. You can think, sort and plan things while colouring. You can listen to music (or conversations) while being completely engrossed in your art. The calmness that accompanies mandala colouring cannot be replicated in colouring just about anything. The USP is the pattern. Mandala design and pattern is what helps accomplish mindfulness.
I am not sure if Mandala art is for everyone because this is definitely art. The non-artsy ones may have a whole other list of things to try but, if you are open to experimenting, then artists and non-artists (who are looking for something new) should try this. You may be surprised.
