Wednesday 3 June 2015

A Butterfly Kolam


My mother never fails to awe me.
This Kolam is one of the many reasons.
So…
Ammaji, I feel jealous of you.
I still struggle to put dots in a straight line L

PS: Because many people asked me what a Kolam is…
Kolam refers to intricate patterns drawn both free handedly and by joining dots. These can be widely seen in the Southern part of India. Women draw this early morning, preferably before Sunrise after cleaning the courtyard. Earlier rice powder was used – it was a means to feed ants and small insects. However, these days, stone powder and even chalk is used. If such powders are used, it is called Pudi Kolam. Sometimes, brick powder will be used as outline on auspicious days, Tuesdays and Fridays. If rice powder is mixed in water and similar patterns are drawn, it is called Maavu/Maa Kolam. In West Bengal, it is called Alpona. In North India, people used rice/stone powders for the outline and fill the patterns with colors. This is called Rangoli.

It is believed that Kolam brings prosperity. It is drawn for almost all the auspicious occasions like marriages and festivals. When someone dies in the household, the family don’t draw any kolam for a year.  

Children in small towns learn the art of making kolam at a very young age. In fact, a girl who knows to draw impeccable and intricate kolam is a pride for the entire family and the village she stays. However, owing to modernization, city life and apartment culture, this art is soon dying.

12 comments:

  1. I found this blog quite interesting and concern in the blog is really impressive you guys really doing the good job by updating this kinds of post really impressed..!!
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  2. So this is same as Rangoli right? I am not very good at it as well, but every Diwali I make it a point to try something new everyday.

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    1. Rangoli will be filled with colors. This is just kolam

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  3. That’s very beautiful kolam and also looks intricate to draw! My mom also draws kolam everyday in front of the home and big and colorful ones during festival times.

    Your mom seems talented in this field :)

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  4. you seem to have a wonderful teacher to guide you...so pick up lessons well :P

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  5. I love looking at Kolam designs. Always amazed by the precision of hand. Beautiful work.

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