Kolam
| 17 March 2011
It's early morning in Tamil Nadu, the sun is just rising while the tiny streets in the village areas are buzzing with activity. It's the women who are awake; they are sweeping the little area in front of their houses. After a few quick broom strokes and splashing of water the patch on the road is clean. The initial stages done the women get to work: In a few minutes an intricate design appears on the cleaned patch of road. It is known as Kolam, though in the north people know it as Rangoli. Definitely more popular in the South, Kolams are floor drawings produced with white powder. The water that is used to clean the spot helps hold the white powder longer permitting the designs to remain on the ground throughout the day. The designs consist mostly of elaborate geometric and mathematical patterns, which are generally symmetric.
Kolams are believed to bring peace and prosperity to a household. An ancient tradition, Kolams were made for more than just decorative purposes; earlier the main ingredient for the art was rice flour as opposed to the white powder used nowadays. This would ensure that ants and other little insects that came into the house in search of food would be provided for outside by the Kolam. Welcoming these little creatures was a step forward in a harmonious co-existense between man and nature. This invitation was extended to the Goddess Lakshmi who is the goddess of prosperity. Kolams are made in the hope that no poverty or ill thing will enter the household.
In recent times Kolam has become a dying art. The rise of buildings everywhere has seen the art of Kolam disappearing. However every now and then during festivals or weddings one can see the streets glowing with beautiful, colourful and complex patterns.
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