Chennai kolam lovers here?

crowgirl

Please move this if not appropriate place for posting.

Every morning (last Dec in Chennai) I used to watch the women start out the day by washing away the old and putting down a new design. Being artistic it was very appealing so I did some research with my South Indian women friends.

A couple younger ones found it old fashioned... and others said it was a gift for the ants in order to make them stay out of the homes, while some of the elders said it was an act of self-less-ness done first thing of the day (for the ants).

(Never did use ant killer in my home- even though sorely tempted at times- so this alternative thinking was great news!!)

Only one woman told me it had a spiritual connection which I had wondered about from the start. It felt to me as if it was saying good bye to yesterday (past) and starting a fresh new beginning of promise. It also felt like it might have had something to do with being or bringing good luck to the abode as well.

I began making my own designs with the white flour and here in US found Rangoli colors so now have gone wild with color during this spring and summer. There are also gorgeous colors made out of different feeling stuff designated for 'holy' days.

Doing this work with color helped me on an inner level early spring when I was mending my broken shoulder and had to use my left arm/hand for everything...very therapeutic.

I have yet to understand the mathematics of it as I do freehand but will eventually figure it out or get a book to help!

Anyone here make it a practice in their homes?

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SitaParityaga

I love the tradition of making kolams as well. Also called rangolis.

Check out this

Lots of designs, history, even a litle animation to show you how to construct one.

Nick-H

See my pics in the photogallery. Not sure that this link will work... (it seams to)

The same people put very special kolam for our new-house housewarming ceremony too.

I love to have kolam outside the house, but we don't have anyone to do it here yet. It's done twice a day, with a smaller simple one in the evenings.

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bcpai77

The best kolams / rangolis in Chennai are to be seen during Pongal season (mid-January).

Have been quite astounded by some of the designs that the artists (what else do you call such talent?) draw by free-hand.

Some of them draw it in the middle of roads in residential areas.

I have no pics though....wish I had taken some. Maybe next pongal season...

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machadinha

An earlier thread: Kolams.

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crowgirl

Many thanks for pointing out the original kolam thread link which confirmed my musings!

Wow! very lovely designs on your threshold, Nick- and thank you for your photo link. I have some digital photos from our time in Chennai but don't know for sure how to post them online.

Thank you everyone for replying to this thread. Yes, it was true (as spoken about on the other thread) that when I did my designs outside our door in India the neighbor ladies asked me what they were/meant. I do freehand with my own symbols/designs but want to learn the dot/math system of India for sure!

Also I found that great thread of the guy describing a day in the life...very entertaining- his mom sounds like a pistol!

Amyth

Popularly known as Muggu in Telugu, these little designs are laid in my courtyard every morning in Hyderabad, using the special muggu flour, which is sold on rick-shaws. Traditionally Muggus/Kolams are put early in the morning before the Man of the house leaves the house in search of Idli-Dosas..err Bread and Butter.

You're right earlier Kolams used to be drawn with rice flour to make food available for the ants to prevent them from entering the house. But now with concrete courtyards, people have started sketching designs with LAKSHMAN REKHA (Pesticide Chalk piece)to combat ants at the entry level.
If you cant feed them, Kill them!!!

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kalyani68

I didn't get to watch kolam drawing when I was in Chennai last. Hopefully, this next trip I'll have the opportunity. My in-law's live in a flat and have permanent painted ones on their doorstep. Here in the USA, I put rice flour ones down only on the days of festivals or special pujas. I also find the phool kolams fascinating, those are done with flowers and can get especially elaborate during the Onam festival in Kerala.

ranjan154

It is great to learn that we Indians do not forget our culture, doesn't matter if we are in India.The people like you do not forget the fragrance of our traditional festivals and carry them beyond the border of the country.Enjoy Happy Onam.Have a great time in India.

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