KOLAMS PHOTO GALLERY

This traditional art form is said to have developed as early as five thousand years ago. Many instances of decorative wall and ground paintings are found in Indian sacred works like the Ramayana, Mahabhartha and Bhagavad-Gita. The Gopikas, (female followers of Lord Krishna) used to draw these decorative designs to lessen the grief of separation when they were away from Krishna. Today, it is the only Indian art form that transcends caste, occupation or religion.

For generations, Indian women have passed on to their daughters the knowledge of ritual wall and ground painting called Kolam or Rangoli. These linear drawings are worked on the ground or wall with rice powder either in front of the place of worship, on exterior walls or at the entrance to the house and are preformed  before sunrise. Most often these visual prayers are invocations to God to secure blessings on the household.

Although this ritual art is ephemeral (within a few hours it is swept away by the activity of the household), to Indian women it is their moment of creation…a “painted prayer”