Friday 28 August 2015

Enthralling Kolam!!!


I am so proud of this Kolam…
It drained me, really.
I had to concentrate relentlessly…
But when I saw the final output
I was enthralled!

Are you?

Between... 

wishing you a happy and prosperous Onam J

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.



14 comments:

  1. Yes,very intricate and nice
    Happy Onam!!

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    1. Thanks GP... Where were you? Long time, no see :(
      Wishing you a happy onam too :)

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  2. Happy Onam. Very complicated but very beautiful kolam.

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    1. Thanks SG...
      Wishing you a happy onam too :)

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  3. Beautiful flowery Kollam :)
    Happy Onam to you dear Loco!

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    1. Thanks a lot Ankita...
      Wish you the same :)

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  4. Beautiful kolam! Looks tough to draw! Great job!

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  5. it should have been Enthralling onam...and a pookalam instead..
    onam wishes

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    1. Thats why I have made a flower like pattern Deeps :)
      Thanks :)

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  6. Kolam,Pookkalam,Rangolic and all such things involve Ethnic Art and traditional designs.Patience and piety of the designer.brings beautiful outputs.Nice design Sandhya.

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    1. I so agree to you... And its a lifelong experimenting!!!
      Thanks a lot Rudra :)

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