Kolam

This recent kolam I did with a painter's acrylic pen fills me with memories of Kolams from our days in India. Esp. during Navrathri and Diwali, when the whole courtyard will be filled with geometrical designs. Maav Kolam, podi kolam, decorations with Kaavi and Rangoli with color powder - it was creativity at its peak!


Kolam, for the uninitiated, is a decorative artwork (painted prayer), made by ladies of the South Indian households, in the front yard or in front of dieties. These designs are traditionally done with rice powder, a tribute to other living beings like birds and ants who would eat them. Though the irony of the fact is that front yards are becoming rare in the face of high rise apartments taking over, this age old tradition is still followed within smaller limitations. There is a sort of blog for kolam enthusiasts - ikolam.org to share their designs.

I got the idea of the acrylic paint pen from a good friend (kavitha -uh-hum) and immediately purchased it. The first kolam on a wood plank has Baby Krishna's feet as I cannot wait until Janmashtami (Krishna's bday) . The second is a salutation to the Sun God (dont know the meaning of the different geometrical shapes).

Though I can say with some pride that the entire design evolved freehand, I am sure a keen eye can see the variation in symmetry ;)