Saturday 4 June 2016

Day-To-Day Kolam



Presenting yet another day-to-day Kolam
Very simple and easy to make…
Perfect for beginners!
(7 dots and 7 lines)


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.


10 comments:

  1. Why blurred images? Was it too dark? You could have used flash.

    Destination Infinity

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    1. It was dark... Ans taken from a mobile camera... Thats why the quality is bad :(

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  2. There are specified kolams for each day of the week.Why don't you post those kolams?

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    1. Yes! I never thought about it... Will post about it sometime soon!

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  3. First one is nice. The second one looks not yet finished. Your kolams are good.

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    1. Basically it is a design made on the steps... Maybe thats why it seems so!

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  4. Not only marriages and festivals, I know of some families who do it on a daily basis.

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    1. Oh yes... We do it on a daily basis in our home town... In fact, our day begins with cleaning the courtyard and making the kolam... Mostly before the sunrise!

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