imported>4C KRISHIV GOEL at 13:15, 23 August 2021

2021-08-23T13:15:01Z

New page

{{short description|South Indian Tamil Nadu form of drawing on the ground using rice flour}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}
[[File:Traditional kolam.jpg|thumb|200px|Traditional kolam made with rice flour and kaavi borders for a house function at [[Tamil Nadu, India]]]]
[[File:Traditional agrahara kolam.jpg|thumb|Traditional [[Agrahara]] kolam made with soaked rice flour or colour rice for the festival of [[Thai Pongal]],taken from a house in [[Singapore]]]]
[[File:Color in authoor.jpg|thumb|200px|Color in [[Attur]]]]
[[File:MargaliKolam-3.jpg|thumb|200px|Pongal Kolam from [[Chennai, India]]]]
[[File:Kalam at the andayil temple.JPG|thumb|200px|Kolam at Andayil Temple, Pudunagaram]]
[[File:Kolam2.jpg|thumb|200px|Kolam outside a house in Tamil Nadu, India]]
[[File:SikkuKolam.JPG|thumb|200px|Sikku (''Knot or Twisted'') Kolam in front of a house in [[Tamil Nadu]] during housewarming]]
[[File:Kkகோலம்.jpg|thumb|'''KOLAM IN KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT OF TAMIL NADU''']]
'''Kolam''' ([[Tamil language|Tamil]]: கோலம்'''),''' also known as '''Muggu''' ([[Telugu language|Telugu]]: ముగ్గు) or '''Tharai Aalangaram''' ([[Tamil language|Tamil]]: தரை அலங்காரம்) is a form of traditional decorative art that is drawn by using [[rice]] flour as per age old conventions. It is also drawn using white stone powder, chalk or chalk powder, often along with natural or synthetic color powders. Its origin belongs to the ancient [[Tamil Nadu]] known as [[Tamilakam]] and has since spread to the other southern [[India]]n states of [[Karnataka]], [[Telangana]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], and [[Kerala]]. It can be found in some parts of [[Goa]] and [[Maharashtra]]. Since the Tamil Diaspora is worldwide, the practice of Kolam is found in [[Sri Lanka]], [[Singapore]], [[Malaysia]], [[Indonesia]], [[Thailand]] and a few other Asian countries. Also Telugu Diaspora across the worldwide havs the practice of Muggu. A Kolam/Muggu is a geometrical line drawing composed of straight lines, curves and loops, drawn around a grid pattern of dots. In [[Tamil Nadu]] and Sri Lanka, it is widely practised by female family members in front of their house entrance.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cmi.ac.in/gift/Kolam.htm|title=KOLAM|author=Dr.Gift Siromoney|publisher=Chennai Mathematical Institute|access-date=12 January 2012}}</ref> The similar regional versions of Kolam with their own distinctive forms are known by different names in India, ''Raangolee'' in Maharashtra, '' Aripan '' in [[Mithila (India)|Mithila]], ''Hase'' and ''Rangoli'' in Kannada in Karnataka.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.auroville.org/environment/villages/vill_kolam.htm|title=Kolams|publisher=Auroville|access-date=12 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230060541/http://www.auroville.org/environment/villages/vill_kolam.htm|archive-date=30 December 2011}}</ref> More complex Kolams are drawn and colors are often added during festival days, holiday occasions and special events.

==Practice and Belief==
[[File: White stones.JPG|thumb|200px|White stones used to make one type of Kolam f]]
Kolams/Muggulu are thought to bring prosperity to homes. At millions of households in [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Telangana]] and [[Andhra Pradesh]], every day early morning during the break of dawn, women draw Kolams in front of their home entrance. Traditionally Kolams are drawn on the flat surface of the ground with white rice flour. The drawings get walked on through the day, washed out in the rain, or blown around in the wind; new ones are made the next day. Each morning before sunrise, the front entrance of the house, or wherever the Kolam may be drawn, is swept clean, sprinkled with water, thereby making for a flat surface. The kolams are generally drawn while the surface is still damp so the design will hold better. Instead of rice flour (கோலமாவு / బియ్యం పిండి), even white stone powder used for creating Kolam occasionally, [[cow dung]] is also used to wax the floors. In some cultures, cow dung is believed to have antiseptic properties and hence provides a literal threshold of protection for the home. It also provides contrast with the white powder.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indian-heritage.org/alangaram/kolams/kolams.htm |title=Traditional customs and practices - Kolams|publisher=Indian Heritage|access-date=13 January 2012}}</ref>

The decoration is not the main purpose of a Kolam. In the olden days, kolams/muggulu were drawn in coarse rice flour, so the [[ants]] would not have to walk too far or too long for a meal. The rice powder also invites birds and other small creatures to eat it, thus welcoming 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 [[Lakshmi]], the Goddess of prosperity and wealth. The patterns range from geometric and mathematical line drawings around a matrix of dots to free form artwork and closed shapes. [[Folklore]] has evolved to mandate that the lines must be completed to symbolically prevent evil spirits from entering the inside of the shapes. Thus, they are prevented from entering the inside of the home.

[[File: Kolam Indigo Dyed Cloth.jpg|thumb|200px|3x3 symmetry 9 goddesses swastika Kolam with a single cycle by Nagata S, each of which corresponds to one of the nine Devi (Goddesses) of the Vedic system]]
It used to be a matter of pride to be able to draw large complicated patterns without lifting the hand off the floor or standing up in between. The month of ''Margazhi/Margasira'' was eagerly awaited by young women, who would then showcase their skills by covering the entire width of the road with one big kolam.<ref>{{cite news|title='Kolam' draws huge crowd|url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/07/stories/2010010750830200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110055632/http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/07/stories/2010010750830200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 January 2010|date=7 January 2010|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|location=Trichy, India}}</ref>

In the kolam patterns, many designs are derived from magical motifs and abstract designs blended with philosophic and religious motifs which have been mingled together.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cmi.ac.in/gift/Kolam/kola_pattern.htm|title=Kolam-South Indian kolam patterns |author=Dr.Gift Siromoney|publisher=Chennai Mathematical Institute|access-date=13 January 2012}}</ref> Motifs may include fish, birds, and other animal images to symbolise the unity of man and beast. The sun, moon and other zodiac symbols were also used.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pongal festival - Kolam design ideas|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pongal-festival-kolam-design-ideas/1/168475.html|newspaper=India Today|date=12 January 2012|location=India}}</ref> The Downward pointing triangle represented woman; an upward pointing triangle represented man. A circle represented nature while a square represented culture.<ref name="between-rangoli-lines">{{Cite web|url=http://devdutt.com/articles/indian-mythology/between-the-rangoli-lines.html|title=Between the Rangoli lines|date=29 Nov 2009|website=Devdutt Pattanaik}}</ref> A lotus represented the womb. A pentagram represented Venus and the five elements.

The ritual kolam patterns created for special occasions such as weddings often stretch down the street. Many of these created patterns have been passed on from generation to generation, from mothers to daughters.

Text messages like the word 'WELCOME' (நல்வரவு / స్వాగతం) or a seasonal phrase 'HAPPY NEW YEAR' can also be used in Kolam/Muggu. Volunteering to draw the kolam at the temple is sometimes done when a devotee's wishes are fulfilled. The art of Kolam designs has found its way into the future through social networking sites like Facebook. Many KolamMuggu artists have big fan followings online and are playing a role in making the Kolam art form a key part of South India's contemporary art scene.<ref name="between-rangoli-lines">{{Cite web|url=http://devdutt.com/articles/indian-mythology/between-the-rangoli-lines.html|title=Between the Rangoli lines|date=29 Nov 2009|website=Devdutt Pattanaik}}</ref>

==Variants==
For special occasions [[limestone]] and red [[brick]] powder to contrast are also used. Though kolams <ref>{{cite news|last1=Gamadia|first1=Roweena|title=Rangoli Kolam- Designs and Samples of Rangoli Kolam|url=http://www.rangolidesigns.net/2014/07/rangoli-kolam-designs.html|website=Rangoli Design|access-date=20 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715045648/http://www.rangolidesigns.net/2014/07/rangoli-kolam-designs.html|archive-date=15 July 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> are usually done with dry rice flour ([[kolapodi]]), for longevity, dilute rice paste or even paints are also used. Modern interpretations have accommodated chalk, and more recently [[Polyvinyl chloride|vinyl]] stickers.

Though not as flamboyant as its other Indian contemporary, [[Rangoli]], which is extremely colourful, a South Indian Kolam is all about symmetry, precision, and complexity.<ref name="American">{{cite web|url=http://www.americanscientist.org/issues/feature/the-kolam-tradition|title=The Kolam tradition|author=Marcia Ascher|author-link= Marcia Ascher |date=January 2002|publisher=American Scientist|access-date=25 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930060208/http://www.americanscientist.org/issues/feature/the-kolam-tradition|archive-date=30 September 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Due to their complexity, trying to figure out how, exactly, these designs were drawn can be a challenge that some viewers find enjoyable.

==Patterns==
* a pattern in which a stroke (Neli, Kambi, Sikku in [[Tamil language|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.{{cn|date=November 2019}}
* a pattern using only part of the dot grid. If that is the case, the same pattern or a different pattern fills/uses up the remaining dot grids. Most of the times, these patterns together end up becoming a complex pattern.
* 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 freestyle and mostly colourized.

==Research==
* The mathematical properties of Kolam are being used in the computer science field.<ref name="American"/> Kolam patterns are studied and algorithms are developed for regenerating kolam designs with different patterns has been done.{{cn|date=November 2019}}
* Algorithms for drawing kolams are used in the development of '''Picture drawing Computer software'''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://orion.math.iastate.edu/mathnight/activities/modules/braids/braidright.pdf |title=Kolam figures|publisher=Mathematics department, Iowa State University|access-date=25 January 2012}}</ref>
* Kolams are used for research in the Computational [[Anthropology]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cugr.umaine.edu/db/job/200/the-kolam-project-computational-anthropology-at-tim-waring/|title=The Kolam project|publisher=Center for Undergraduate Research, University of Maine|access-date=25 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307043023/http://cugr.umaine.edu/db/job/200/the-kolam-project-computational-anthropology-at-tim-waring/|archive-date=7 March 2012}}</ref>
* As Kolams have a strong relationship with contemporary art and art history, they are used in the artwork and media field.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.northampton.edu/Northampton-NOW/The-Mystery-of-Kolam.htm|title=The Mystery of Kolam|author=Adam Atkinson|date=September 2011|publisher=Northampton Community College|access-date=25 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013012043/http://www.northampton.edu/Northampton-NOW/The-Mystery-of-Kolam.htm|archive-date=13 October 2012}}</ref>
* Kolams are also used to simplify the representation of complex protein structures for easy understanding.<ref>[http://muse.jhu.edu/login?auth=0&type=summary&url=/journals/leonardo/v046/46.1.balaji.html Protein Kolam]</ref>

==See also==
* [[Jhoti chita]]
* [[Rangoli]]
* Vanuatu [[Sand drawing]]
* [[Street painting]]
* [[Kuberakolam]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{commons category-inline|Kolam}}

[[Category:Tamil culture]]
[[Category:Arts in India]]
[[Category:Indian sandpainting]]
[[Category:Culture of Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Culture of Tamil Nadu]]

Kolam - Revision history

imported>4C KRISHIV GOEL at 13:15, 23 August 2021