INDIAN FINE ARTS-KOLAM
Kolam
is an ancient folk art form that is still practiced daily on the floors of
Hindu Temples and on the doorsteps of homes by the women of South India. Using
rice powder, crushed stones and spices, as pigments, these dry powders are held
in the hand and dropped to the ground by sifting between the thumb and
forefinger.
The
designs symbolize "welcome" and invite all things auspicious to enter
within. The primary motif consists of a grid of dots surrounded by a meandering
line. These "wave" designs, as they are called, with their twists and
turns, refer to the endless flow and ultimate unity of life. Their impermanence
is a reminder of the transitory nature of the material world.
History
& Purpose
The tradition of painting kolam is believed to have originated five millennium ago, during the pre-Aryan period. The kolam has a dual function - both religious and ornamental. In Hindu philosophy, the principle of dharma states that one should be of service to all, humans and animals alike. Traditionally, various motifs were drawn on the floor to feed insects with the design made out of edible grains and the dyes from vegetable colouring. This act of charity has been recommended in Hindu scriptures. The kolam is also drawn to welcome the Laksmi, the Goddess of Prosperity into the home. Its secondary purpose is to add aesthetic value to the Hindu home.
Different Names
The art of Kolam is known throughout India but by different names - Sanjhi in Uttar Pradesh, Alpana in Bengal, Mandana in Rajasthan, Chaukpurna in Madhya Pradesh, Rangoli in Maharashtra and Karnataka, Muggulu in Andhra Pradesh and Puvidal in Kerala. Although essentially a Hindu tradition, kolam is also known to the Jains, Buddhists and Parsis. It is said that Gautama Buddha was himself an expert in this art.
Significance
The Kolam is much more than just an aesthetic art. It symbolizes happiness and prosperity. Insects and birds feed on the rice flour used for drawing the traditional Kolam at the entrance of houses. Thus, the Kolam represents man's concern for all living creatures. The Kolam and the bright red border or kaavi enclosing it are also believed to prevent evil and undesirable elements from entering the houses.
Drawing Pongal Kolam
On the day of Pongal, family members jointly draw the kolam with rice flour that can be plain as well as colored. Parallel straight lines can be drawn using a cylindrical rod (Ulakai) as a guide. A kolam can be a plain one or can be artistically drawn with symbols of cosmic interest. The kolam defines the sacred area where the Pongal is prepared.
Within the perimeters of kolam, typically, firewood is used to cook the rice. The Pongal is set up in the direct view of the Sun (East). Traditionally, the kolam is laid in the front or side of the house, but in cold climes where cooking indoors with firewood is hazardous, the Pongal can be prepared in kitchen and brought to the location where kolam is set up.
Design
The simplest form of the kolam is the pulli kolam or "dotted kolam". Dots of rice flour are placed in a grid-like framework, which are then joined to take the form of a symmetrical shapes or a regular polygon. Symmetry was of key importance to the kolam artist as it denotes universal balance or the Hindu aspect of Shiva-Shakti.
Traditionally, it is painted at the entrance to a home and may be small although larger designs are known to have been painted at public spaces. The kolam is usually done by women, as it was the responsibility of the lady to maintain her household. In India, girls are trained to create the kolam from as young as six. Apart from training her to be a good housekeeper, kolam making also serves to fulfil physical, philosophical and spiritual aims. Physically, the woman has to bend at the waist and knees, stretching her hands, legs and upper torso out to draw the kolam. This stretches the woman's muscles and joints, especially so since the kolam is usually drawn at dawn. Philosophically, the bending of the body symbolises humility. Spiritually, the artist has to silently concentrate on her creation, as if meditating. Moreover, it encourages creativity.
Besides geometrical shapes, the kolam incorporates natural motifs like animals, fruit, flowers, and conches. Colours are bright and co-ordinated with a touch of intricate trimmings added to kolams. Besides rice flour, other ingredients used include rice flour flowers, beads, grains lentils, shells, tinsel, salt, saw-dust, fruits and vegetables. There are also tools to help women create their kolam, although the measure of a master is when the kolam is done free-hand. Today, the availability of tools to create the basic shapes have reduced the artistry of kolam drawing.
A popular symbol painted in Malaysia and Singapore is the sahasradala padmam or "thousand-petalled lotus" as the lotus symbolises purity. Whilst vegetables and sugarcanes are popular symbols drawn during Ponggal, the "Harvest Festival", lamps would be the popular design for Deepavali.
The simplest form of the kolam is the pulli kolam or "dotted kolam". Dots of rice flour are placed in a grid-like framework, which are then joined to take the form of a symmetrical shapes or a regular polygon. Symmetry was of key importance to the kolam artist as it denotes universal balance or the Hindu aspect of Shiva-Shakti.
Traditionally, it is painted at the entrance to a home and may be small although larger designs are known to have been painted at public spaces. The kolam is usually done by women, as it was the responsibility of the lady to maintain her household. In India, girls are trained to create the kolam from as young as six. Apart from training her to be a good housekeeper, kolam making also serves to fulfil physical, philosophical and spiritual aims. Physically, the woman has to bend at the waist and knees, stretching her hands, legs and upper torso out to draw the kolam. This stretches the woman's muscles and joints, especially so since the kolam is usually drawn at dawn. Philosophically, the bending of the body symbolises humility. Spiritually, the artist has to silently concentrate on her creation, as if meditating. Moreover, it encourages creativity.
Besides geometrical shapes, the kolam incorporates natural motifs like animals, fruit, flowers, and conches. Colours are bright and co-ordinated with a touch of intricate trimmings added to kolams. Besides rice flour, other ingredients used include rice flour flowers, beads, grains lentils, shells, tinsel, salt, saw-dust, fruits and vegetables. There are also tools to help women create their kolam, although the measure of a master is when the kolam is done free-hand. Today, the availability of tools to create the basic shapes have reduced the artistry of kolam drawing.
A popular symbol painted in Malaysia and Singapore is the sahasradala padmam or "thousand-petalled lotus" as the lotus symbolises purity. Whilst vegetables and sugarcanes are popular symbols drawn during Ponggal, the "Harvest Festival", lamps would be the popular design for Deepavali.
maakkolam ( maavu(rice powder)+kolam)
ranggoli (variation of colours)
- Joyce Lim
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