Padi Kolam—Patterns and Symbols

The padi kolam is drawn using parallel lines which cross over at right angle or diagonal shape. They may start from a dot or a square and form basic structures such a square, a circle, a cross with diagonals, a swastika or two superimposed triangles. To enlarge a padi kolam, we add a series of parallels lines from which new lines join the preceding ones. The design of lotuses, conches or other ornamental motives are added in order to give a finishing touch to the kolam. 

The patterns of the padi kolam are mostly abstract in nature. The outlines organized around the centre draw the eyes towards the heart of the drawing. Like a yantra or a mandala, negative powers are prevented from entering by the very presence of four stylized gated facing the cardinal directions. The centre of a padi kolam is never left blank and we can find one or several dots, diagonal lines, the sun and the moon, a pentagon or a star hexagon. These abstract designs have religious and philosophical connotations. For instance, Circle has been used to represent the universe while the Square represents the culture. In the star hexagon, the upward pointing triangle, like a mountain, represents stability and the eternal male element (purusha) in the cosmos and also within us. The downward pointing triangle, like a waterfall, represents the unstable physical elements which are transient, the dynamic eternal female element (prakriti) in the cosmos and also within us. 

The padi kolam is all about symmetry, precision and complexity. Due to their complexity it is a challenge for the viewers to decipher the designs and to enjoy them. 

If we trace the artistic forms of things made by man, to their origin, we can find a direct imitation of the nature. This explains the common processes used for the creation of any art form especially in the artistic nature of the padi kolam. We can see an aesthetic appeal in the geometrical patterns of the padi kolam. The same geometrical patterns that we can see in progression in the nature, cosmos, human body and also human mind. 

The kolams especially the padi kolams are a beautiful combination of the religious faith, geometrical progressions, aesthetics, knowledge of cosmology and its philosophy and most definitely, symbolism. In the upcoming articles these nuances of the padi kolam are explored to some extent and explained in accordance to the knowledge gained.

Kolam- Psychological outlet

Abhinaya Darpanam of Nandikeshwara says:

Yatho Hasta thatho Drishti, 

Yatho Drishti thatho Manah 

Yatho Manah thatho Bhaava, 

Yatho Bhaava thatho Rasa.”

Where the hands(hasta) are, go the eyes (drishti);

where the eyes are, goes the mind (manah);

where the mind goes, there is an expression of inner feeling (bhaava)

and where there are emotions, mood or sentiment (rasa) is evoked. 

This is not only true to the practice of dance but also true to the practice of drawing kolams. Each kolam drawn has its own sentimental value. In days where the women’s emotions are suppressed and are not so easily let down, the habit of drawing kolam each morning helps her to find a let out process. It has been used as a psychological defence mechanism for women through many decades. The full power of what to draw, how to draw and how to decorate what she has drawn is with her and she exhibits this power very happily. Even when she is not in the mood to draw and begins to put the kolam reluctantly as a duty, the art grabs her gradually and she forgets herself and she somehow gets clear emotionally and gets ready for the day. 

Women express their needs, intentions and aspirations through the presence of Kolam. Its presence in the household surpasses the Indian social norm of understanding women as silent and compromising to all situations in the house and the public. 

Drawing kolam is like cooking food. It takes a long time to make the kolam from the point of mindful planning to the visual expression. There are special ways and means in the preparation of Kolam just as the preparation of food. At the final stage of the preparation, a kolam is “Consumed” by the family members, neighbours, people passing by and the minor creatures who eat the rice powder. So it also functions as a “food” for others in a different sense. Sometimes it is just a habit of eating and sometimes you enjoy and relish what you eat. The same can be said for the consumption of kolam. Whatever it may be, the food is always prepared and also the kolam is always done irrespective of the consumers state of mind.

Artistic White lines with Red borders—a symbol of fertility

Kolams are the symbols of auspiciousness. They are drawn daily in the southern part of India, in the thresholds of the houses, near the puja area and around the tulsi plants. Rice flour or paste made from rice is commonly used throughout India for drawing the floor paintings. Rice is the symbol of prosperity according to pan Indian culture. This is the main reason why it is used to draw kolam, as kolam is the symbol of prosperity too.

The commonly used colours in padi kolam are white and red. Rice powder for white and kaavi or red sand powder for red are used in Tamilnadu. 

These colours are symbolic in nature. According to tantric tradition, the dead are reborn when the white seed of man successfully merges with the red seed of woman. Split semen holds the possibility of new life. Menstruation on the other hand was seen as being of same nature as birth. Seed, white or red is thus the most potent substance in nature. White represents the Purusha, the male form and the red represents, the Prakriti, the female form of creation. White and red are thus the source of creation of new life in the world. White and red also represents the sattvic and the rajasic guna. No wonder that these have been the most predominant colours used in the floor paintings all over India.

The red border is not only a sign of cheer and prosperity, it is also believed that the red bordered kolam keeps the evil forces away. Mostly, kaavi is used only on special occasions like festivals or marriages, or on days like Tuesdays and Fridays. 

Turmeric which was traditionally used as an antiseptic and a recommended cosmetic is said to have properties that enhance fertility. The colour yellow which has its association with turmeric also finds elaborate usage in floor paintings especially in Telengana Andhra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Turmeric mixed with rice powder is also used for drawing kolams. 

Whatever may be the symbolic meaning or the significance of these colours, the dynamic sensation of the visual appeal created by these colours is astounding. It is really a visual treat to see a floor painting in white and red, with its symbolic or non symbolic geometric patterns and ideas.