Kolam

In South India, Kolam is an art form made commonly through rice flour that is finely ground up. Women begin their days with Kolam as a prayer done early in the morning. The prayer is seen as giving back to the nature, the birds and insects, and welcoming the day with positivity and warmth. Kolam is part of an early morning routine for many Hindu women. This routine combines Kolam with meditation, yoga and exercise, creating a fruitful beginning to the day. As an ancient art form, origins are unclear but there are references to Kolam being done in Hindu mythology epics.

Designs are purely geometric and based on math, therefore there are technically no “hard” designs, simply big or small designs. The designs are created through different hand techniques: single finger, two fingers, rollers, cylinders, bottles etc. There are many different instruments used to make the art form easier and assist the maker. Without the instruments, Kolam is made by taking the powder in a pinching type manner and guiding the creation of the design through the powder falling.

While it is an art form, women consider it to be more based in science and mathematics. Geometry and symmetry work in harmony to create these designs. Overtime, women develop great coordination, dexterity and are able to create highly intricate designs.

Part of the process of Kolam is its harmony with nature. Creating designs on floors obviously leaves room for the drawings to be washed up, walked on, blown in the wind etc. Therefore, Kolam is meant to be naturally destroyed and remade each day, as a sign of starting over with a new day.

Historically, it has only been women who work to create kolam. Many women in India happily accept this role as it is seen as their job to help create a happy household. Rather than reinforcing gender roles, perhaps Kolam is also an outlet of expression for women as well as a means to collaborate with others to create.