These are sketches done by my mother in white paper.
I took photographs of these sketches, uploaded and added some color and effects to it :-)
(Obviously I did the easiest part ;-) )

Four_Lamps_And_Filled_Pots
Basically this form of art is to decorate courtyards and prayer halls mostly done by women and girls.

Eight_Lamps and_the_Lotus
Rice flour is the only ingredient used in those days and it is religiously followed by Hindus in most parts of India (in northern part of India they call it ‘Rangoli’ and in south ‘Kolam’).

The_InterWoven
Every early morning, after shower, women clear the courtyard with clean water; and do this art work with rice flour.

A_Million_Borders
This has another interesting angle. This rice flour is nothing but, daily food for the insects, bugs and birds which gets attracted by rice flour. The next morning women clear the remains of yesterdays’ and clean as usual.

The_Four_Towers_Surrounded_By_Bugs_And_Lamps
But nowadays, sandstone or limestone powder is used (which in fact don't serve the purpose) instead of rice flour, considering the fact that we have more mouths to feed than in the past ;)