Introduction

Kolam – a link to life…. Winding twisting lines joined together by dots, tiny beginnings flourishing into extraordinary art representing life’s journey…….

My earliest recollections of my interest in this art form goes back to my school days. I grew up in a suburb of Trichy called Dalmiapuram, where my father worked. Well known in this place was a divine temple hosting Shiva and Vishnu, where as a child, I had the opportunity to practice kolam art within the temple premises. I still recall my mother making kolam maavu using a wet-grinder as raw material to make kolams for the temple. My first big endeavour around this was for the Navaratri festival celebrated in the temple for Goddess Aryaambaal. I put a medium sized solo kolam which I can perhaps remember as my very first foray into this passion of my life. I put a new kolam for all nine days of this Navaratri festival that season. I was truly inspired by the goddess taking various forms and perhaps this fuelled my interest and liking towards kolams. My mom was a constant source of encouragement to both me and my sister to pursue this art form. My interest and liking soon turned out to be my biggest passion in life. I looked forward to, and still do, to be called upon for the Lord’s service.

I started collecting designs and would hand-draw any good design that I sighted into my well protected kolam notebooks. I still preserve my oldest books which are my treasure cove and my blog has some pics from these books. Just like there is no substitute to hard work, in the kolam world, there is no substitute to regular practice. Perhaps that is why, we see women in villages wake up to this art form and perform kolams outside their homes. Over the years, I have learnt several new techniques from various teachers and role models which I have shared in the “tips and techniques” page of my blog.

It is my endeavour to use this blog not only to post my designs but also to impart this beautiful art form to one and all who wish to learn and pursue this passion of kolams.

I would like to dedicate this blog to my mother Late Mrs. Easwari Ramachandran, my true inspiration, guru and guide throughout my life.

Good luck with the stress busting world of kolams ……..

Janani ….