#34 kolangal kolangal

a shoutout to my inspo

Vani-yin kai vannam

Hey there,

Today, I have something for you that is very different from my usual stuff. *insert Devayani’s Kolangal serial title song*

the view from where i was sitting

This morning even before breakfast, I sat at my desk with my laptop, to try and finish up some freelance content work that is due this weekend. In between work, I looked up and noticed my mom’s kolam sitting elegantly in the middle of our living room.

one of the kolams for the 100 days 100 kolams challenge

Why it’s in the middle of our hall, you ask? Because since Covid struck, my mom has taken to drawing kolams as a regular activity, one that is therapeutic to the person drawing it and the rest of us watching it. She is also part of a Facebook group called Kolam Enthusiasts where thousands of fellow kolam lovers come together to enrich the art of kolam making, by sharing and admiring each other’s artistic talents and by taking part in regular tasks and several tricky contests.

vanthaarai varaverkum vaasal

So this morning too, my mom had laid out of a beautiful masterpiece in the middle of our home. The soft, white rice flour stood out prominently against the brown background of amma’s kolam sheet. The sight was soothing to my eyes, with the gentle curves looping around the bold dots, weaving in and out like bees in a garden. Compared to constantly looking at the boring, pixel landscape of my laptop, which lacks any Indian aesthetics, this felt like a much deserved break.

She drew this not part any challenge, but merely for fun.

I just sat there, staring intently at the picture in front of me, mesmerised. With my eyes, I started following a single stroke from one side of the kolam. My gaze rose and fell with the curving patterns of the kolam until eventually, it came back to the original spot from where the journey started.

margazhi is my mom’s favourite month for a reason. and my entire street loves margazhi for the same reason as well

One specific fact that intrigues me most about these sikku kolams is how the journey begins and ends at the very same place. I’m sure something philosophical could be said about that, but I’m fresh out of philosophy.

day 32 of the 100 days 100 kolams challenge

Also, I believe that my words can’t do justice to the brilliance of this particular art. So I’ll let the kolams speak for themselves, all of them crafted by my amazing amma.

pongal 2021

a commission work at a wedding

hand painted kolam inside Vadapazhani Murugan kovil, 01.03.2023

another commission work by mom for a wedding on 23.03.2023

brahmamudi day 8

a burst of colours at our front gate

one evening in late 2020

From all of these, you might have got an idea about the origins of my love affair with art and beauty. And you're absolutely right. My mother was my first teacher and inspiration when it comes to creating and appreciating art. If you wish to see more of her handiwork or hire her to decorate your home with cute kolams for any occasion, head over to her kolam page on Instagram! And if like me, you want to see her start a YouTube channel too, then tell her so in the comment section below! She needs a little more push, I guess.

and finally, the artist herself, working on a maakolam for a wedding in september 2023

Hope you enjoyed this little virtual tour of my mom’s kolams. Do you want me to show you some more? Or would you like me to talk about something different in my next letter? Feel free to give me your suggestions!

And, thanks for reading!

- A. 🌻