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மாதம் ஓரு கோலம் - ஆர்த்தி ஸ்ரீவஸ் |
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Significance of kolam
In Tamil Nadu, one would find a beautiful decorative drawing
usually at the entrance of the house. This is called a Kolam.
It is a free hand drawing and a traditional form of art. It
is much more than a mere decoration and has a lot more
significance. It symbolizes happiness and prosperity.
Typically Kolams are drawn on the floor using rice flour.
Insects and small birds feed on the rice flour used for
drawing the traditional kolam at the entrance of the houses.
The kolam represents man's concern for all living creatures.
The bright colors of the kolam are also believed to prevent
evil and undesirable elements from entering the houses. The
kolam is also supposed to honor, Lakshmi Devi, the Hindu
Goddess of wealth & prosperity & to invite her blessings
into the home. It is the best artistic outlet for a woman to
start the day auspiciously.
The Kolams are usually drawn by women and some of the kolams
can be intricate and require concentration and patience.
This serves as an excellent training to our mind that
whatever be the situations of life, we must learn to emerge
out of them smoothly and tactfully. Besides giving aesthetic
beauty at the entrance, the kolam also provides a physical
exercise for the women, early in the morning. The bending
and drawing the kolam gives a good exercise to the waist and
hips, thereby strengthening them and giving them
flexibility.
About Aarthi: She is the winner of the recently held 'Kolam Arasi' competition is no stranger to our Tamil Sangam, she has been an active member for the past 13 years and was the Vice President, Culturals, San Diego Tamil Sangam, a few years back. Aarthi works as a Director Program Management for a software/finance company in San Marcos and enjoys free hand drawing and singing. She also has training in Bharatanatyam which reflects in dance programs she choreographs for the Tamil Sangam programs. Aarthi lives in Carmel Valley area with her husband Shri and her eight year old son Yadav.