“KOLAM” THE FINE ARTS OF INDIAN COMMUNITY

Devi Thannimalai
Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

Abstract

The main purpose of this research is to state that kolam is a part of Indian community fine arts. It

is a practice among the Indian community to have Kolam drawing during the festive season and

special occasions. In this research, the researcher has defined the meaning of kolam, the

historical background, and cultural values of drawing kolam, the benefits of drawing kolam, the

types of kolam and the likes. The researcher has identified the method of promoting this fine arts

kolam in the study area of Kuching, Sarawak. The researcher also has studied on the perception

and the experiences of those whom have actively involved in the practice of drawing kolam in

Kuching. The researcher has interviewed the selected target group on the characteristics of Fine

arts kolam. The researcher has found out that the fine arts of kolam have benefited the society in

the study area. The list of benefit is kolam as a stress reliever especially among the women,

avoids backbone diseases, increases creative thinking and helps the housewives to identify the

dark spirit movements. At the same time, the researcher has found out that some of the Indian

people in Kuching have shallow understanding on kolam fine arts. The Indian communities in

Kuching, Sarawak only practice the kolam drawing during festive season for a decorative

purpose.

Keywords: Definition of drawing kolam, origin of kolam, benefits of drawing kolam, type of

kolam

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INTRODUCTION

Indian communities have much type of fine Arts. Kolam is the one of the category or type of

Indian fine arts. For Indian communities, kolam is the special unique given by god. According to

Indian believe, that have in world such as human, animals and so on is the kolam Indian fine arts.

In Malaysia, Indian communities always were drawing kolam during the festival season and

special occasions such as Thaipusam, Deepavali festival, Ponggal festival and so on. However

kolam is the Indian communities fine arts, but in Malaysia, it almost popular among Malaysian

peoples. Besides that, it also attracted tourists from abroad. Although the kolam is an Indian fine

arts, but the uniqueness and the role or function of kolam increasingly forgotten by Indian

communities especially the younger generation of Indians. For them, the kolam is a kind of

painting or drawing for decoration but they do not know that kolam has its own purpose and has

the power to dominate the environment and others.

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As Malaysians, we must preserve and conserve the unique kolam Indian fine arts from not to be

swallowed by the western culture. By maintaining traditional kolam Indian fine arts, the younger

generation who will come to recognize and learn the importance of the kolam. So, these things

require or involve support from various parties such as the media, the temple, non-governmental

associations, government and industry entrepreneur working on arts related to kolam Indian fine

arts. An art of kolam drawing traditional knowledge is important for future generations.

Therefore, this paper will discuss the origin, the overall importance of maintaining the traditional

kolam the fine arts of Indian community in Kuching, Sarawak.

RESEARCH BACKGROUND

1.1 Origin of Kolam

According to Robinson (2007), Kolam is a traditional art of decorating courtyards, temples and

prayer rooms in South India drawn mainly by womenfolk and some women use rice flour to

draw a kolam, which is a traditional medium to be used while others use limestone powder. At

the same time, during festivals and weddings, rice flour paste is used instead of the flour.

According to Madam Kalianni Mapilai Chetty, kolam is the arts of drawing or fine arts and for

the Indian community kolam has become living arts in their daily lives. In addition, the kolam

also have power. Indians advance not only draw the kolam by using the rice on the floor, but they

also painted kolam in the body, floors, walls, fabrics and so on.

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Apart from this, the Indian peoples ago saw the world and the things that are on earth such as

human, animals, and flowers and so on as well as the universe as Kolam. Each Indian celebration

must have kolam Indian fine arts India. Kolam also drawing for pray god.

Mr.Y.S.Perumal said that kolam Indian fine arts the existed when the world was created by

Mother Goddess. At the same time, the people of southern India drawing kolam Indian dine arts

for the Sun God or Surya Bhagavan for Ponggal festival

According to Mrs. Rajeswari Kannan, according to the faith of the Hare Krshna which is also

known as Brahmins, Lord Vishnu or Krshna is supreme god, kolam Indian fine arts created by

the god Vishnu and his wife Lakshmi worship the mother Goddess. Apart from this, she also

noted that god Krishna or Krshna body only have pattern of kolam Indian fine arts and god

Vishnu really like kolam Indian fine arts and always dancing on kolam with his wives.

According to penmai.com (2015), the colorful Kolam tradition dates back to the Indus Valley

Civilization (2500 B.C) and in the Mahabharata, the gopis (milkmaids) drew kolams to forget the

pain that they experienced when their beloved Krishna is away. At a much later date, Kolam-

drawing is listed as one of the 64 forms of art in Vatsyayana's Kamasutra.

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 (Sources: Google image)

1.2 Definition of Drawing Kolam

According to the belief of the Brahmins and Chettiar, drawing kolam has two meaning. The first

meaning is before the sunrise and sunset, before assuming the responsibility, humans have to

feed the animals and insects. Therefore, the Indians before starting their daily tasks for that day,

they charity food through draw kolam Indian fine arts based on rice or rice flour to small animals

and insects with trust to God.

So, Madam Kalianni Mapilai Chetty said that the Indian communities consider drawing kolam

first an early morning is a noble responsibility and thanks to God and to redeem the sins of

mankind. Apart from get blessing of God, get also blessing of the animals that eat kolam drawing

by rice and white rice flour

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The second meaning is kolam Indian fine arts associated with human life. In the kolam Indian

fine arts, there is a lot of points and difficult draw the line by points. Before start draw Kolam,

put the first point until the last point form. After that, from the first point began start draw lines

and clever touches and went through a lot of difficult to draw the line on every point to the last

line on the last point and form a perfect shape. Likewise, human life.

Mrs. Kalianni Mapilai Chetty told that human life, from birth to death, there are many difficulties

and problems and obstacles of success such as points that have in kolam Indian Fine arts, as a

human beings, we must overcome all difficulties and problems with the attitude of patience and

trust in God as the lines that have in kolam Indian fine arts. Finally, we get successful and happy

life as a perfection form kolam Indian fine arts.

1.3 Materials Used To Draw Kolam

Indian peoples draw kolam by using a variety of materials. Through these materials has triggered

all kinds of kolam Indian fine arts. Kolam Indian fine arts also changed with style of life of the

people. Indian peoples used rice , rice flour , coconut flower , flowers , lamp , wheat flour ,

green beans , sand and soil , stone chisel ( red and white ) , liquid flour , fruits and vegetables

and so on .

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1.4 Type of Kolam

The Indians communities also have a variety of kolam Indian fine arts and each kolam have own

respective roles. There are types of kolam for the gods, Navagraha kolam, type of kolam for

celebrations and festivals, type Pulli kolam, type Ranggoli kolam , Types of kolam for decoration

and beauty.

1.5 Benefits of Drawing Kolam

There are several advantages or benefits to draw kolam Indian fine arts. Indian people ago

especially advance south Indian peoples not only draw kolam to decorate or beauty front of the

house or even their only even they draw kolam Indian fine arts based on medical , psychological,

skills and so on. Among the advantages is to reduce stress, prevent bone pain disease, creating

creative thinking and so on.

1.6 Customs and Rules for Drawing Kolam

There are some customs and regulations before, during and after the drawing kolam Indian fine

arts. The first rule is before start draw kolam Indian fine arts, the kolam painter must wake up

early morning and clean himself before start drawing kolam. So, women must wake up early

morning before the sunrise and clean the house and draw kolam in front of the house, cannot

wear shoes during draw kolam, during drawing kolam women must be binding or comb your hair

and wear modest dress and cover themselves, must have positive thinking and remember God,

cannot be stepped on or run over the kolam Indian fine arts and kolam based flour, rice or beans

may not be drawn at night or after sunset.

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PROBLEM STATEMENT

1. Most of the Indian communities, especially the younger generation didn’t not know the

origin of kolam Indian fine arts.

2. The Indian communities, especially young Indians are now less awareness about customs

traditional drawing kolam Indian fine arts.

3. Have influence of modern in kolam Indian fine arts

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Researchers identify three objectives of the study while conducting the research. Among them:

1. Identify the promotional methods used to introduce the kolam Indian fine arts in Kuching,

Sarawak.

2. Review the view of experience peoples about kolam Indian fine arts in Kuching.

3. Analyze the characteristics of those have in kolam the fine arts of Indian community in

Kuching, Sarawak.

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LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Definition of kolam

Kolam is the Indian fine arts. The word kolam is derived from the Tamil language which means

beautiful. The south India peoples like to draw kolam Indian fine arts to charity food to small

animals and insects. At the same time, they always draw kolam Indian fine arts in front of the

house , business site , the temple , the walls of buildings and so on.

“The kolam is a daily women’s ritual art form created before dawn (and sometimes before dusk)

by millions of Tamil Hindu women throughout Tamil Nadu in southeastern India. Sometimes

referred to in English as household marks or threshold designs, the word kolam in the Tamil

language means form and beauty. The kolam is drawn on thresholds, floors, and walls in houses,

temples, and businesses. What is striking is that much of the time, the kolam is ephemeral; it is

created in a few minutes or a few hours, depending on the ritual occasion, and after only a few

hours, it disappears under the feet of those who pass by” Nagarajan (2010).

According to India heritage (n.d), kolams known as a symbol of auspiciousness, it is Hindu

belief that that the geometrical patterns & designs applied with rice flour at the entrance to a

home, invites Goddess lakshmi into the household, and drives away the evil spirits. India

heritage (n.d) also stated that drawing kolam is mostly a South Indian tradition, practiced widely

in Tamilnadu and kolam are also applied daily in the pooja room near the lamps.

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2.1 Pattern of Kolam

Besides draw kolam Indian fine arts in floor, the Indian peoples also create a pattern of kolam

Indian fine arts on clothing , carpet , concrete or building and the human body , known henna

and tattoos.

2.2. Kolam in the Form of an Etching or Yantra

Pattern of kolam Indian fine arts have on Yantra or etching. Besides drawing kolam Indian fine

arts by using rice, rice flour and so on, the Indian peoples also create a pattern of kolam in Yantra

or etching. Yantra is a metal that has a pattern of kolam Indian fine arts. According to Indian

society believe, especially the Brahmins or iyer and the Chettiar caste, Yantra have power to

destroy the forces of evil and bring good and positive energy like wealth, health, education and

so on.

Mrs. Kalianni Mapilai Chetty argues that, apart from put yantra god in the praying room, the

Indians also put Yantra at front house door, in the living room, bedroom and so on to prevent

evil forces came or went into the house. She stated furthermore that the clergy also make yantra

to wealth, education, to destroy the forces of evil and so on. Yantra can be get in various forms

such as badges, necklaces, pendants and so on. There are several Yantra or etching which is very

famous among the Indian communities. There are Sri Mahameru dan Sri Cakra, Sri Sudarsana,

Sri Salagramam and so on.

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2.2 Kolam and Etching for Vastu or Feng Shui

The Indian community have a kolam and special etching for Vastu or Feng Shui known as Sri

Vaasthu kolam or Yantram (etching) . According to the belief of Indians ago, Vaasthu

Bhagawan is a son of the god Vishnu and leader to Feng Shui or Vastu. Indians always praying

Sri Vaasthu Yantram (etching) rather than drawing kolam on the floor.

According to madam Kalianni Mapilai Chetty , Sri Vaasthu Yantram or etching can only be

praying according to the day fixed by the Tamil 's calendar or panjaangam by put vegetarian

food and some flowers, reading gayathiri mantra and praying Vaasthu Bhagawan. Sri Vaasthu

Yantram or etching has the power to conserve feng shui of house and building.

Paramsivam (2010), stated that Sri Vaasthu yantram elevates all misfortunes in connection with

construction of the house and renovation and it is a good yantra for those who have not bought

their own house and also this yantra can be blessed with own house soon.

2.4 Kolam for Human Body

Indian peoples painted kolam on the body for beauty and signs pray gods. Indians have their own

names to painted kolam on the human body known as Marudhani (Henna), tattoo, tilaka and

Face Arts and so on.

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2.5 Kolam in Fortune

From then until today, the Indians society is very trusting for fortune. For each of events like the

birth of a child, a virgin ceremony, funeral arrangements, marriage and any works want start

such as business, they will look fortune. Indian peoples call looking fortune as Jothidam.

According Ramayyanukar & Srinivasacari (1997), Jothidam is a science or knowledge given by

God to human to know the secrets of the universe and the life of human. They said fortune or

Jothidam is one part of the six sections of the Vedas and some to Maharishi in century AD with

God's blessing create fortune or jothidam to human. In their opinion, Sri Aagasthiya

Mahamunivar created various types of fortune to human. However, an Olaichuvadi and fortune

lines palm which is very popular among the Indian community today and both fortune have

pattern of kolam and power.

2.6 Special Month to Drawing Kolam

Besides that, Mrs. Kalianni Mapilai Chetty and Mr. Sivashree Shanmuga Karthik Desihar noted

that the ancient times some Mahariskhi in Indian communities create a special month for draw

kolam known as Margazhi month or Marghali. According to the Tamil calendar, Margazhi

month is the month of December and early January.

According to madam Kalianni Mapilai Chetty and Rajeshwari Kannan , the young women and

women who originate from the Chettiar and the Brahmins caste come from Vaishnavism and the

devotee of god Krshna must take fasting one month during the month of Margazhi or Marghali

to god Krshna .

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METHODOLOGY

This study discusses the important aspects related to research methodology based on the study of

the kolam the fine arts of Indian community. The aspects were discussed is the location of the

study, data sources, and so on. In the research methodology, researcher used several methods to

get specific information about kolam the fine arts of Indian community in Kuching, Sarawak.

Furthermore, researcher also explain about instrument - instrument used in this research such as

a digital camera, voice recorder and so on. Researcher used qualitative methods in this study.

DATA COLLECTION

In the research methodology, there are two ways of data collection were used in this research,

namely known as primary data and secondary data collection. The first method is the primary

method. The primary method is divided into two methods, namely quantitative and qualitative

methods. The primary method is very important for researcher. In kolam the fine arts of Indian

community research, the researcher used qualitative methods

The second method is secondary method. Secondary method is a second option to help get

additional information in the research or study. An example of secondary methods is reading

material. Through this method, the researcher got additional information as support of the study

of the kolam the fine arts of Indian community.

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Apart from this, researcher has used interviews methods with some person who is related to

kolam Indian fine arts in Kuching, Sarawak and Penang. These research informants consist of

twelve people who know about the kolam. By this method, researcher have produce some

questions related to the origin of the kolam, importance of kolam , characteristics inherent in the

kolam the fine arts of Indian community and so on. All opinions informants have been collected

as a source of information for this research.

INFORMANTS NAME LISTS

 Mrs. KALIANNI MAPILAI CHETTY

 Mrs. RAJESWARI KANNAN
 Mrs. SARASWATHY
 Mrs. FAUZIAH BEE MOHD SALLEH
 Mr. SAHUNDARARAJU VENGADASALAM
 Mr. SIVASHRI SHANMUGA ARUN KARTHIK DESIHAR
 Mr. Y.S.PERUMAL
 Mr. SANDHANASEGAR
 Miss SARA
 Miss SALLY ANAK DUKUL
 Miss CLUDIA ANAK RESTER
 Miss REBECCA ANAK BARINAU

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ANALYSIS DATA/ RESULT

Researcher has used qualitative methods, through interviews and observations to obtain data or

information required by the researcher. The researcher interviewed those involved in the field of

religion and traditional customs of Indian society by asking some questions related to the kolam

the fine arts of Indian community in Kuching, Sarawak and the importance of the kolam based

on the research objectives. Apart from this, researcher also reviews the views of those who

experienced the kolam Indian Fine arts in Kuching.

Analysis of data for researcher first objective is to identify methods of promotion methods used

to introduce kolam Indian fine arts in Kuching, Sarawak. Based on the analysis of data obtained

from the results of interviewing twelve informants to the objectives of the first study stated that

create or write a book about the importance of the kolam for the next generation and it can help

next researchers coming to do research about kolam very deeply.

Given that young people now prefer or interests to use the website and venture into new

technology, informants also encouraged to create an "application software " for computer and

mobile phone with information about the kolam Indian fine arts can attract young Indians and

other communities in Kuching , Sarawak to learn about the kolam Indian fine arts. For example,

create Marvel Apps related to an importance of kolam Indian fine arts in mobile phones.

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At the same time, informants also encouraged to do a drawing kolam competition along with an

exhibition with information of importance of kolam Indian fine arts in places that have the focus

of the public such as universities, schools, shopping malls and so on to encourage the Indian

communities and other communities in Kuching, Sarawak learn about the importance of the

kolam Indian fine arts for the next generation.

The second objective of the study the researcher also reached which is review the view of

experience peoples about kolam Indian fine arts in Kuching. The first view of experience peoples

about kolam Indian fine arts in Kuching which is researcher interview is kolam is an fine arts

related to charity or donation of food to animals such as ants, squirrels , butterflies and so on .

The second opinion informants experienced the kolam Indian fine arts is a unique arts and can

attract the attention of people in terms of color and pattern . They also stated that kolam Indian

fine arts can be given relax to human mind and reduce stress and also kolam Indian fine arts can

creating or increase creative thinking and improve concentration observation. Apart from this,

the opinion of informants also is kolam Indian fine arts can strengthen solidarity among the

different ethnic or races peoples by share ideas or opinion and giving cooperate for perfected

kolam Indian fine arts.

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The final objective is also achieved by the researcher which is analyze the characteristics of

those have in kolam the fine arts of Indian community in Kuching, Sarawak. According to the

informants, the Indian communities in Kuching, Sarawak like to draw Ranggoli kolam and there

are some features in the kolam Indian fine arts. The first feature that was told by the informants

is able to use various materials such as rice, flour, rice, wheat flour and so on to produce

Ranggoli Kolam. Besides that, they also said that Ranggoli kolam Indian fine arts has a variety of

beautiful colors and patterns and it can can attract people's attention.

The next feature was told by informants is the size of draw Ranggoli kolam Indian fine arts is

free and can draw on their own creativity. They said that the kolam Indian fine arts show the

reality pictures or images to the people who see and it also shows the patience of a painter who

draw kolam Indian fine arts.

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SUGGESTIONS

Since the Indian community and other communities in Kuching , Sarawak less know the

importance of the kolam Indian fine arts, researcher will give some suggestions to promote the

importance of kolam the fine arts of Indian communities and other communities in Kuching ,

Sarawak . The first recommendation researcher is to encourage the opening of a museum named

Indian heritage Culture in Kuching, Sarawak related to Indian culture and transitional or opening

a special gallery to kolam Indian fine.

The second suggestion is researcher encourage Ministry of Education should encourage the

teaching experts or educators such as teachers must teach about the importance and uniqueness

of Indian fine arts such as kolam to students. Besides that, the Ministry of Education to ensure

that the teachers have to know or have knowledge about Indian culture and traditional such as

kolam Indian fine arts and encourage them to teach about kolam Indian fine arts without seeing

races peoples. At the same times, the government may also enter fine arts program related Indian

arts and culture at the University as a course.

The third recommendation is the associations of Indian society , namely known as Indian Youth

Association Kuching , Foundation Hindu Students Kuching , Sarawak Hindu Sangam and so on

and temples located in Kuching , Sarawak should promote the importance of kolam Indian fine

arts by doing drawing kolam competition, giving lectures or forum about the importance of

kolam Indian fine arts and so on.

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The fourth suggestion is a researcher encourages the creation of Application computer or mobile

phone related interests of kolam Indian fine arts. In addition, researcher also encourages the

creation of virtual reality technology, which is contains the information about the importance

kolam Indian fine arts.

Apart from this, researcher also encourages the government to make or recognize the kolam

Indian fine arts in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

(UNESCO), which is all Malaysians, draw Kolam India fine arts in big size in one day. Through

this way did not exist differences in religion , race and so on in the Malaysians society and it also

becomes a guide to the entire country and people of all religions is the same and there is no

difference .

CONCLUSION

In the overall the research kolam the fine arts of Indian community, researcher has explained the

origin of kolam, the benefits of drawing kolam, the type of kolam Indian fine arts and so to

everyone. In this study, researcher using qualitative methods.

While researcher doing research about kolam the fine arts of Indian community in Penang and

Kuching , Sarawak , researcher found no specific written source about kolam Indian fine arts and

no previous studies about kolam the fine arts of Indian community from previous researchers in

Malaysia. So, the researcher collected information about kolam Indian fine arts through

interview.

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The reason there no reading sources about kolam Indian fine arts , the Indian community in

Malaysia , especially Indians in Kuching , Sarawak do not know the importance of kolam Indian

fine arts and they thought kolam Indian fine arts as sign of beauty and decoration for homes,

parties and festivals. In addition, the new young Indians generation in Kuching, Sarawak, just

draw kolam Indian fine arts during festivals and occasions such as marriage only.

Therefore, researcher encouraged t the Indian community in Malaysia, the start of their role to

preserve and conserve kolam Indian fine arts for future generations and now and make sure not

swallowed by the modern epoch . In addition, the researcher also asked the Indians have open

minded and view kolam Indian fine arts as universal fine arts.

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Kolam and its significance in south India (2015).Dicapai Dari

http://www.penmai.com/forums/culture/15854kolamitssignificancesouthindia.Html.

Nagarajan, V. (2010). Raṅgolī and Kōlam. Dicapai 2014, dari Sahapedia: Sahapedia

Paramasivam. (2010). Paarrellaam Poodrum Sri Gokolashtami. Thungeesam, 4-5.

Paramasivam. (2005). MAHAGANAPATHY-PURANAM AND POOJAS. Selangor: Aboorvass.

Paramasivam. (2015, November). Purana stories relating to Deepavali. Sri Thungeesam, p. 22

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Robinson, T.(2007). Extended Pasting Scheme for Kolam Pattern Generation. Research Paper
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Sumathisrini. (2013, March 17). Penmai.com. 2015, dari: "kolam" in "Spiritual Queries"forum.

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