Kolam - Rangoli

Hi all,

This is my first blog.
I was born in a family where traditons and culture were given lots of importance. My early days were spent in around Mylapore , Madras. I used to love the early mornings and evenings. Coz it gave me a chance to unleash my creativity with white powder usually called the Kolapodi right on the streets!. What fun it was !!. Actually coming to think of it, it was an individuals contirbution in keeping the environment neat and clean!.

The procedure was something like this . The front portion of the house was swept well . A little cowdung was mixed in a litre of water and sprinkled. Then the kolam or rangoli was neatly drawn.. Some kept Thazhambhu/champa at the centre of the kolam /rangoli. The same was repeated in the evening.

As I grew up.. the cowdungwater gave way to ordinary water and drawing rangoli in the evening vanished.

Initially this was practised by the woman of the house, later the job was delegated to the servants . The early morning practise gave to mid morning practise and slowly vanished. We can see such kolams only in very few streets of Chennai today. What with the high rise buildings and sticker kolams..

My Mom used to say that,"By following the practise of rangoli, one discplines the mind especially when you draw pulli kolmas( Rangolis that require dots- Pulli means dots).Because even if you make a one wrong thread the entire kolam goes awry ! Also the intricate drawings by the fingers gave the necessary exercise. In addition, you contribute your might in keeping the environment clean".

there are many stories where in woman have attained mokshas by regularly drawing Kolams inviting the blessings og the Godess and Gods.

Scientifically it's proven that the Cowdung water keeps insects away. Yes it not only an insect repellant but is also a excellent mosquito repellent( Today it is used by many companies to produce repellants !! ) Our forefathers had a reason for such practises.