Part I :The Art of Kolams

Nothing in India is just another passing fad or the flavour of the season. All traditions and every small action connected to the great web of life, has been handed down over the centuries and milennia. Kolams too are no less different.

In ancient Vedic times, it was known as the "Tulasi Chitrakala" . During ritual sacrifices, we hear of complex designs drawn before the sacrificial fire-pit or the homa-gunda. First came the pure-white kolams and then slowly, emerged the ones with various designs and colourful strokes. There is even a special kolam for the Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi. It is called the "padmam" and was drawn with turmeric, sindoor and green leaves. This in due course, paved the way for the art of colourful kolams called the "Rangoli"

The six-petalled lotus is considered as Goddess Lakshmi's chariot; the triangle on the other hand is an auspicious sign that is used to welcome Her inside. Combine this into a delicate Kolam and the Goddess herself will come running inside your house (or so the fable goes!!)

Before drawing the kolam, the floor is usually cleaned and washed over with cow-dung. This may not sound as crazy as it appears, because sicientific research has proved that cow-dung contains abundant anti-bacterial propeties and acts as an insect repellant.

That's not all: there are so many other benefits when you draw a kolam. Usually this activity is undertaken early in the mornings in the twilight zone (between 4:30 to 6:00 in the morning); the time is called "USHA" and is considered auspicious and healthy. Not surprising, when you consider that Ozone levels in the atmosphere are optimum at that time and the air itself is much more purer. When you bend and twist in an effort to link the complex twists and curves on the floor, you invariably and unconsiously finish your morning warm-ups and calisthenics. Well, what more do you need?

Convinced? Good, because next week, we will be seeing the different kinds of kolams and how best to derive pleasure from this beautiful art form.

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