Janmaastami Special : Theme-Based Kolam

This year Janmaastami (Sree Krishna Jayanthi) was celebrated on 5^th September, 2015.

Like every year, I was excited.

After all, this is one of my favorite festivals.

And, like all other years, I made a kolam. This year I decided to make a theme based kolam. I tried to make a kolam by drawing things that relates to Lord Krishna. So I made flowers (lotus flower) in pink, a leaf like shape and a few peacock feather-like objects. In the steps, I made flutes. I added a little bit of colors here and there.

Did you like it?

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.