Thursday 13 November 2014

Kalpathy Theru Kolam Competition - 2014

Over the years, Kalpathy Theru Kolam Competitions has been looked forward by young and old equally. It is every pride Palakkad nivasi’s. It is also a moment to feel the culture that we are not following holistically anymore.

Having spent most of my growing-up years in Agraharam, I have been exposed to the art of drawing maa kolam (kolam drawn using rice paste) at a very young age. Those were the days when our courtyards were mostly muddy or had a platform made of cement to draw kolam. We used to draw kolam every morning. In fact, my only motivation to wake up early was kolam. But then, as a part of making our Agraharam into heritage villages – a Government initiative – roads were widened and the mud/platforms were covered by tar roads. This happened about 10-12 years before. With that the maa kolam also died. I remember trying to draw on the tar road. My fingers used to bleed and eventually, I gave up. Very few people can draw impeccable maa kolam. I appreciate this program and thank them heartily for taking this forward year after year!

Owing to my professional obligations (I am losing touch with the art I learnt in hard way), I could not participate in the competition this year. But when my ammaji sent the pictures, I was elated!

So, here I am sharing the same with you J

























Click below to go through last three year’s competition
Kalpathy Theru Kolam Competition - 2013

10 comments:

  1. Beautiful kolams. Brought me back my childhood memories where my mother used to draw kolams at very early morning. Agraharam living has its own charm mami. (It is an attempted to joke. I am sure you are too young to be addressed "mami".)

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    1. Lolz... Thats ok... Some of my friends call me "mami" too :P
      Thanks SG... Glad that I ignited some of your childhood memories :)

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  2. lovely! they all look like embroidered table cloths!! I loved each image and the yellow frames too :)

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    1. Thanks Ankita... most of them are very intricate... such styles are called Alpona... a Bengali style...

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    2. yaaa! I remember reading somewhere about this word 'alpona'! btw how did you add these NG types yellow frames..they look cool :)

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    3. When you edit template... under Advanced options... you can set the background color for the images. I have set it Yellow and I can change it

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  3. Gorgeous designs like the 'Pookkalam of Onam'. I liked them much. Actually development kills many of the practices of our culture and rituals.I read in detail the charm of 'Rathotsavam' in news papers with much interest.

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    1. So well said... I wish we all understand our culture and strive hard not to let them go..

      Thanks Rudra :)

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