Traditional ‘kolam’ finds a contemporary calling in fashion, food and fiction

Lifestyle

By Vaishali Vijaykumar

04/12/2023

A cherished and time-honoured custom observed during Margazhi is the meticulous art of drawing kolam on the threshold of homes, across Tamil Nadu.

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It is mentioned in Nachiyar Tirumoli which is a collection of 143 verses composed by Andal, a devotee of Vishnu and sole female Alvar among the 12 revered Hindu poet-saints of South India.

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Over time, the intricate tradition— weaving together spirituality, culture, and art — has seamlessly embedded itself into our daily lives from home decor to textile designs.

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Divya Vigneshwaran, founder of Hastha, has been working on a similar project. She has been incorporating kolam motifs through block printing onto saris and veshtis.

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Likewise, for Sarath Selvanathan, kolam holds a significance beyond its visual appeal. It is from this conviction that he has crafted an exclusive collection of nose studs inspired by it.

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The diversity inherent in this cultural panorama resonated with Kaavya Sampath and Pooja Shirali, co-founders of House of Mirrah, a brand based in Bengaluru.

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Echoing this sentiment is Coimbatore-based Maniams Design Studio. Drawing inspiration from Indian culture for their children’s toys, they created a puzzle called Krazy Kolam.

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Beyond aesthetics, a growing number of picture books are now designed for children. One such is ‘Keshav’s Kolam’, written by Shobha Viswanath and published by Karadi Tales.

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A similar activity book called ‘Draw Happiness – My Kolam Tracing Book’ is offered by Kolam Podu Shop. From beginners to seasoned enthusiasts, it helps hone your fine motor skills.

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