INTRO

Freehand Kolam for Pongal 2023 - This kolam shows all the aspects of the Pongal festival that come to our mind - pongal paanai, karumbu, nel kathir, farmers' tools and cows. I have chosen purple instead of the traditional colours, as it reminded me of karumbu, and brought some freshness into the kolam. I have also deliberately made this kolam asymmetrical again to add some interest. Last year I primarily focused on sikku kolams. This year, I wanted to learn & improve my padi kolams and freehand rangolis. This kolam is done on a floor tile with chalkboard paper glued to it. I use this tile for festivals primarily, to keep lights on it at the entrance to my home, since we live in a fully carpeted residence.

Freehand Kolam for New Year 2023 - This kolam is based on Alpona art - a similar kolam art form practiced in West Bengal. Last year I primarily focused on sikku kolams. This year, I wanted to learn & improve my padi kolams and freehand rangolis. With this in mind, I am constantly searching for new techniques and came across Alpona designs. I have included Ganesha as a new year prayer for "Sarva Karya Susharvada". Additionally, I have written around the kolam what I am praying for all of humanity in this New Year like resilience after the pandemic, unity of mind and thought etc. This kolam is done on a floor tile with chalkboard paper glued to it. I use this tile for festivals primarily, to keep lights on it at the entrance to my home, since we live in a fully carpeted residence.

Padi Kolam for Karthigai Deepam 2022. Last year I primarily focused on sikku kolams. This year, I wanted to learn & improve my padi kolams and freehand rangolis. I like trying out non-traditional looking designs, with something innovative about it like Mrs. Shanti Sridharan's kolams or Mrs. Hema (The Lotus Shakti)'s kolams. This peacock shape is inspired from one of her kolams, but re-designed to reflect the spirit of Karthigai Deepam which we associate often with Murugan. This kolam is done on a floor tile with chalkboard paper glued to it. I use this for festivals primarily, to keep lights on it at the entrance to my home, since we live in a fully carpeted residence.

Padi Kolam done for Diwali 2022 - Last year I primarily focused on sikku kolams. This year, I wanted to learn & improve my padi kolams and freehand rangolis. This kolam is done on a floor tile with chalkboard paper glued to it. I use this for festivals primarily, to keep lights on it at the entrance to my home, since we live in a fully carpeted residence.

I got inspired by all the kolam crafts submitted to Kolothsavam contest last year, and wanted to submit atleast one entry in that category this year. I have included three craftwork here in a collage - a shopping bag adorned with a beautiful festival sikku kolam, wooden tea coasters painted in bright colours with simple sikku kolams, and a wall hanging of 5 ner pulli kolams which shows the concept of same number of dots, but different designs.