"Kolam" - The Traditional Indian Art

             
                  Kolam is a folk art from India. It includes various geometric patterns & shapes, most of which are drawn around little dots. The patterns are usually created with rice flour,  so that they serve as a food for ants and birds. These days a lot of materials are used such as coloured sand using either chemical or natural colours such as vermilion/ turmeric etcetra. They are also done using flower petals, which is a very popular art in Kerala.

                  Kolams were considered a Symbol of Auspiciousness. Hindus belief that that the geometrical patterns & designs applied with rice flour at the entrance to a home, invites Goddess Lakshmi into the household, and drives away the evil spirits.

                They are known as Aripana in Bihar, Chowk pujan in Uttar Pradesh, Hase in Karnataka, Muggulu in Andrapradesh, Alpana in Bengal and Assam, and Rangoli in Gujarat and Maharashtra.

                These Kolams can either be drawn using a white powder alone or filled with colour powders. (Rang- colour in Hindi)
                The kolams were done in front yard of the house in the mornings by Indian women and sometimes during evenings too. 

                I remember helping my mommy in "Kolam contests" when I was a little kid, we spend hours drawing & filling the patterns with coloured sand. And I used get too happy when we win the prize.!!

                These days I have dropped the more traditional patterns to a freehand style.

                During the Festival of Lights, DIWALI and the month of Karthigai, these Kolams are decorated with little lamps creating a nice light effect. 

                These are all my works that I did during some festivals we celebrate in India; that were worth sharing..!! 
                Have a colorful day folks :) :)