This book is a presentation of new decorative designs by artist Kajal Dass Beck. Displaying her unique sense of creativity and imagination, they are nonetheless based upon and inspired by the traditional folk art of Bengal known as alpana (alpona in Bengali pronunciation). Thus she has chosen the title, Nava Alpana ("New Alpana"). Alpana belongs to the larger category of what is known as Indian 'rangoli, ' in which patterns are created on floors of temples, courtyards, living spaces, or other surfaces utilizing rice flour, water, and other materials for religious and...