“I grew up in Bagalkot, Karnataka, where traditional arts and spirituality were a part of my daily life. At just eight years old, I began my studies at Poorna Pragya Vidya Peetha.  Those early years laid a foundation for me to actively involve in both spirituality and art. Later, I continued my studies at Vasudeva Gurukula, where I specialized in Alankara Shastra and Tantra Agama Shastra, eventually earning an MA in Alankara Shastra. Now, I’m pursuing a PhD at Karnataka Sanskrit University with Rangoli as a specialisation.

My journey with art also took me to Chitrakala Parishath, where I honed my skills in fine arts. But my heart always returned to rangoli. Many see rangoli as just a pattern of dots and lines, but for me, it’s a powerful medium-a way to tell stories, convey emotions, and share messages. Rangoli’s roots reach back to epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, where it was used to communicate messages and bring people together. Even in history, sites like Mohenjo-Daro reflect the ancient origins of this art.

After completing my studies, I had the honor of presenting a portrait to Vishweshwara Theertha Swamiji, who not only signed it but blessed my journey with the words, ‘Shreyo Bhavathu,’ which became the inspiration for my Shreyo Foundation. Through this foundation, I work with a dedicated team-my ‘big family of rangoli’ to pass this art to younger generations.

For me, rangoli is more than just art; it’s emotion, meditation, and dedication. I’ve been creating rangoli for over 15 years, and every piece is hard work, but it’s so rewarding when people see the final creation. Some of my rangolis are as large as 40×40 feet, and I love seeing how they bring people together.

As a motivational speaker, I often talk about preserving Indian traditions amidst Western influences. Our culture is incredibly rich, and it’s our responsibility to carry these traditions forward. Shreyo Foundation also engages in social work-supporting communities, assisting those in need.

I also received the Jyoti Ratna Award and the title of ‘Rangoli Boy of India.’ My dream is to one day celebrate International Rangoli Day – a day for us to unite in honoring our cultural heritage. The journey has challenges, especially with limited government support, but that only strengthens my motive. I believe in this art form, in our culture, and in the potential of the next generation to carry it forward.”

– Ashay Jalihal, Rangoli Artist