Kolangal

Hi Ladies,
in this blog we are going to discuss about one of our favorite item. Yes we are going to discuss about kolangal. We women generally fond of putting kolams. From the olden days, we are used to it. What ever be the function, whether it is joy or sorrow, birth or death we used to put kolams. We used to put them in front of god, we put them in front of our houses etc., Here we are going to see the verity of kolangal . You can leave your comments and share knowledge about kolam here.
Kolams are known by different names in different parts of India. Hase in Karnataka, muggulu in Andrapradesh, chowkpurna in Uttar Pradesh, alpana in Bengal and Assam, and rangoli in Gujarat and Maharashtra.

'Vasal thelithu kolam podu' is a phrase rarely heard these days in the city. The kolam and 'mavellai thoranam' (string of fresh mango leaves tied together) are a must in every Hindu home as they are auspicious symbols. In this age of rockets and computers, the traditional kolam is giving way to modern substitutes.

Kolam a very beautiful art of women ,related to Brahmin Culture ,which originated in South India more than 3000 years ago. Our Brahmin women begins their day with this creative art in front of our Homes and decorates with simple and also very beautiful designs of kolam's by using Rice flour or Limestone powder.Rice flour is pinched between the thumb and finger and rubbed together while moving the hand continuously to creat good designs .In our earlier days it was compulsary for Brahmin girls to learn this art form.

(Generally my grand mom used to say we have to put 2 strings of kolam for good things and 1 string for death ceremony.)
In our earlier days it was compulsary for us to learn this art form.My grand mother and my mother were aware of importance of this art and they helped to develop the skills to us.There are different types of Kolam's.The kolam's are referred as "Rangoli" in North India,which are very colourful. While in South India it is mainly known as Pulli Kolam's or Neli Kolam's.Pulli means Dots. Neli means Curvy.It is belived that the "Dots" are symbolic of Challenges which we have to face in our lives and the "Curvy" ,line around these Dots is the jouney (Yathra ),during our life.

 

Hi Shantha,

Welcome to this blog. As you said my mother also had many note books. But when I started putting kolams, I maintained a file so that at a time me , my sister and my grand mother (mother's mother and also my MIL) will use that. We will select one kolam for the next day and we practice it in the night. Generally me and my grand mother used toput designs and flowers type kolams. That is 'curvy' kolams. My mother and my sister used to put 'neli' kolams. We had many number of people who will appreciate our kolams. on those days there were no comp. like now. Even then me and my sister put very nice kolams and we had a 'fan circle' in our road. Daily they will come and give their comments. I uploaded all my kolams in a seperate web site.
Thanks for your comment.

 

Hi Jayalakshmi,
As you said it is a art. But also it is a good exercise for ladies. When we try to put kolam in the early mornings, expecially in Margazhi month, we will get fresh air and oxygen It is good for our health. Generally we bend and put kolams, so it is a good exercise for our hip and stomach.
Now many people like Dinamalar , Hamam soap giving encouragment for kolam and they are arranging for 'Kolam Competitions' .So naturally children will learn this art.

 

Hi Jayalakshmi,

Let me post it you through a PM. I dont know whether I can give that address here

 

Hello Pushpavalli Srinivasan,

Neenga sonnadhu 100% nigam

Veedu niraiya kolam pottu, veedu niraiya vilakkum errivaiththale Lakshmi Kataksham pongum!

Romba romba sari!