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Encyclopedia > Kolam
Kolam outside a house in Tamil Nadu
Kolam outside a house in Tamil Nadu

Kolam (Tamil:Beauty etc) is a decorative design drawn in a variety of sandpainting using rice powder by female members of the family in front of their home, especially near the threshold. It is widely practised by Hindus in South India. A Kolam is a sort of painted prayer -- a line drawing composed of curved loops, drawn around a grid pattern of dots. They are generally symmetric. They, especially old/classical ones are a single cycle or circuit(in graph theory) or multi cycles and also similar with Celtic knot patterns. Image File history File links Kolam_outside_a_house_in_tamil_nadu. ... Image File history File links Kolam_outside_a_house_in_tamil_nadu. ... Tamil ( ; IPA: ) is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people, originating on the Indian subcontinent. ... Sandpainting is the art of painting ritual paintings for religious or healing ceremonies. ... For other uses, see Rice (disambiguation). ... This article discusses the adherents of Hinduism. ... The geographical south of India includes all Indian territory below the 20th parallel. ... Symmetry is a characteristic of geometrical shapes, equations and other objects; we say that such an object is symmetric with respect to a given operation if this operation, when applied to the object, does not appear to change it. ... Cycle or Cycles may be: Look up cycle in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Look up circuit in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A classic Celtic knot pattern Celtic knots are a variety of (endless) knots and stylized graphical representations of knots used for decoration, first known to have been used by the Celts. ...


Kolams are thought to bestow prosperity to the homes. For special occasions limestone and red brick powder to contrast are also used. Though kolams are usually done with dry rice flour, for longevity, dilute rice paste or even paints are also used. Modern interpretations have accommodated chalk, and the latest "technology" in kolams are actually vinyl stickers (that defeat the original purpose). For other uses, see Limestone (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Brick (disambiguation). ... Chemical structure of the vinyl functional group. ...


Every morning in southern India, millions of women draw kolams on the ground with white rice powder. Through the day, the drawings get walked on, rained out, or blown around in the wind; new ones are made the next day. Every morning before sunrise, the floor is cleaned with water, the universal purifier, and the muddy floor is swept well for an even surface. The kolams are generally drawn while the surface is still damp so that it is held better. Occasionally, cow-dung is also used to wax the floors. Cow dung has antiseptic properties and hence provides a literal threshold of protection for the home. It also provides contrast with the white powder. The geographical south of India includes all Indian territory below the 20th parallel. ... Fresh cow dung Cow dung being dried for fuel in India. ...


Purpose of Kolam


Decoration was not the sole purpose of a Kolam. In olden days, kolams used to be drawn in coarse rice flour, so that the ants don't have to work so hard for a meal. The rice powder is said to invite birds and other small critters to eat it, thus inviting other beings into one's home and everyday life: a daily tribute to harmonious co-existence. It is a sign of invitation to welcome all into the home, not the least of whom is Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity. The patterns range between geometric and mathematical line drawings around a matrix of dots to free form art work and closed shapes. Folklore has evolved to mandate that the lines must be completed so as to symbolically prevent evil spirits from entering the inside of the shapes, and thus are they prevented from entering the inside of the home.
Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... For other uses, see Lakshmi (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

3x3 dot all and only symmetry 9 Goddeses Swastika Kolam by Nagata S
3x3 dot all and only symmetry 9 Goddeses Swastika Kolam by Nagata S


Kolam painting seems to be only one traditional painting, which is drawn in daily life even at present time in the world, and by not professional people, but mothers or daughters in their households.
Tamil women like Kolam in grounds, but visitors could not find any Kolam pattern/design in other places, e.g wear(sari), cloth, furniture frame, tile on wall or other ornaments, like a Celtic knot design or other folk arts, even though there is no taboo on it. The first (maybe) trial of indigo-dyeing Kolam pattern with a white line like real Kolam in a ground has been done on clothes by InterVision Inst./KASF in Japan in 2008.


Health and Kolam


Not to be underestimated is the benefits for the artist to bend down each morning - it is said to help her digestive system, reproductive organs and to help overall stretching of the body. Kolam requires the artist to be well focussed and improves the concentration with which the artist begins her day.


It used to be a matter of pride to be able to draw large complicated patterns without lifting the hand off the floor (or unbending to stand up). The month of "Margazhi" was eagerly awaited by young women, who would then showcase their skills by covering the entire width of the road with one big kolam. It was indeed a test of mastery, as one cannot repeat a pattern for 30 days.


When people get married, the ritual kolam patterns created for the occasion can stretch all the way down the street. Patterns are often passed on generation to generation, mother to daughter.

Kolam is not so flamboyant as its other Indian contemporary, Rangoli, which is extremely colorful. However, the beauty of a kolam, bordered with blood-red "kaavi" (red brick paste) is also considered exceptional. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Temple Cars are like Charriot that carries Hindu gods. ... Rangoli in Singapore Rangoli is one of the most popular art forms in India. ...


Some categories (please name the followings)

  • a pattern, in which a stroke (Kambi, Sikku in Tamil) runs once around each dot (Pulli), and goes to the beginning point (endless/cycle), as a mostly geometrical figure. The stroke called as Neli from a snaky line. The stroke has Knot (Sikku) structure.
  • a pattern, in which a stroke runs around each dot not completely, but open.
  • a pattern, in which strokes(Kodu/Kotto)are connected between the dots. Sometimes it represents kinds of objects, flowers, or animals etc.
  • a pattern, in which dots are set in a radial arrangement, called Lotus.
  • a pattern, which is drawn in a free style and mostly colorised.

the history originated (is expected)


See also

Rangoli in Singapore Rangoli is one of the most popular art forms in India. ...

External links


  Results from FactBites:
 
Sysindia.com - Kolam Section (120 words)
Kolam refers to decorative artwork drawn on the floor in front of houses and in front of deities in pooja rooms.
Kolam is considered as an important form of artistic expression in India.
Lakshmi Sarathy has won many prizes in various kolam competitions in her school and college days and has participated in various cultural programmes in Singapore.
Kolam - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (386 words)
Kolam (in Tamil) is a decorative design drawn using chalk by female members of the family in front of their home, especially near the threshold.
A Kolam is a sort of painted prayer -- a line drawing composed of curved loops, drawn around a grid pattern of dots.
Kolam is not so flamboyant as its contemporary, Rangoli, which is as colorful as it can be.
  More results at FactBites »

 

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