A kolam with its myriad designs, patterns and colours, is an emotion and an expression, and it is still drawn in front of homes to welcome guests. “This emotion need not necessarily be religious and may even sometimes convey social concerns. It is the emotion however which breathes life into what otherwise would be empty form with no meaning,” says author Shakuntala Ramani, whose book ‘Kolam and other Ritual Arts of India’ was released on Saturday at a simple function at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan by former judge of the Supreme Court S. Mohan.
She said her fascination with the intricate patterns and designs that are kolams began early. “These days, with people living in high-rise buildings, there is no space for kolams or else, there is an ugly looking sticker in its place. Over the centuries, drawing kolams developed into a very sophisticated art but in recent years, it has begun to disappear, which was one reason I began to study the art form,” said Ms. Ramani, who has also penned a book titled ‘Sari and the art of natural dyes’, among others.
She recalled how she has watched hens pecking at and squirrels licking off kolams drawn using rice flour, which used to be a tradition. “People now use stone dust, which keeps away the tiny insects that used to feed on kolams,” she said, adding that kolams had also become a part of religious practices at homes.
The book is published by Oxygen Books.
Archaeologist R. Nagasamy said the kolam was the common man’s art and was glad that Ms. Ramani had concentrated on such a ritual art.
He suggested that the book be prescribed to students in colleges to introduce the traditions of India.
