The Geometery Of Tradition

India is a country, famous for its diverse culture, history, customs, and traditions. It is the land of Vedas, Puranas, and inventions. Here I have come up with a most interesting tale and my childhood's fascinating days which is very dear to me. I am going to narrate a traditional decorative art form that is drawn from age-old conventions. An art form that has been existing for more than 5000 years or says since the Indus Valley Civilization which marks the birth of Indian history. It has been practiced by millions of households especially, in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala. It can also be found in some parts of Maharashtra and Goa. It has different origins and names in different parts of India. Any guesses - Yes, you are right, it's Kolam, Muggu, Tarai Alangaram, or Rangoli, as named in many languages, which is beautifully drawn mainly by women folks in front of their home entrance, each morning before sunrise on the flat surface of the ground with white rice flour. These Kolam’s or Rangoli are drawn on a wet surface so the design will hold better. Mainly on the flat ground sprinkled with water or traditionally once the surface is waxed with cow dung, followed in most of the villages. In some cultures, cow dung is believed to have antiseptic properties and hence provides a literal threshold of protection for the home. One can also find the practice of Kolam in other parts of the countries like - Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and a few Asian countries since the Tamil diaspora is worldwide. 

 

There are different tales about the origin or say history of these beautiful Geometric art forms. One such tale narrates the history behind these Rangoli. Down the lane to Puranas - Lopamudra was the wife of sage - Agastya Rishi. She also wrote two portions of Rigveda (holy book). Once Lopamudra wanted to help her husband worshipping the gods, so she started to make a beautiful Rangoli with limited commodities available with her, since they were staying in a remote place amidst the forest. Since she wanted to surprise her husband by drawing a colourful Kolam, she prayed the Pancha Tatva (Five elements) to give her colors. She collected blue from the sky, green from water, black from the soil, red from fire, and white from the wind. She later added all these colors to Rangoli which enhanced its beauty and Rishi Agastya was delighted to see Lopamudra's effort. 

 

Kolam’s are of two types - Dry and Wet. Dry Rangoli was introduced by Lopamudra and wet Rangoli was introduced by Sita Devi. It is said when Maa Sita fell in love with lord Rama, she ground the rice and made a paste of it and drew Rangoli, and prayed to Goddess Parvati to grant lord Rama as her husband. 

 

My early childhood days were spent among the Telugu and Kannada-speaking families. Mainly Telugu. One of my childhood memories was among cows, hens, and dogs. And spending time at my best friend's house, eating and playing around in their house. Large huge homes with joint families who all used to live under the same roof harmoniously. They belong to Zamindars and Tahsildar families. My morning alarm was a cow's long, deep Mooing sound. (ha-ha) I used to go and stand in my friend's house to collect the milk and love to watch the cow's milking process, and yes, ladies drawing huge beautiful Rangoli. They used to sit for hours together to draw beautiful Kolam’s, especially during festivals. People used to compete with each other on the design and technique of Rangoli. As I grew up, I too started drawing Rangoli along with my mom. Later started drawing individually creating designs and learning from my friend's cousin sisters. Our house was on the first floor with an open huge terrace, where I used to sit for hours to draw Rangoli. And later it became my daily routine even now I practice it religiously. But with limited space, due to space constraints staying in an apartment. 

 

My maternal grandmom was the most religious lady. Once I had a conversation with my Aji, during our stay on my vacation, asking her about the significance of the drawing of Rangoli. And the material used to draw. She explained so beautifully which has marked in my mind till today. Why was the coarse rice flour used to draw the design so that ants would not have to walk too far for a meal. And rice powder also invites birds and small creatures to eat it. Thus, welcoming other beings into one's home and everyday life is a daily tribute to harmonious co-existence. It is also a sign of invitation to welcome all into the house. It also attracts prosperity and wealth. The complex patterns range from geometric lines drawings around a matrix of dots to free-form artwork and closed shapes. Folklore has evolved to mandate that the lines must be completed to symbolically prevent evil skills from entering the inside shapes. Thus, they are prevented from entering the home. 

 

Also, women folk sit in the squat pose while drawing Kolam, this pose is also called Malasana or Garland pose in Yogapedia. Performing Malasana daily in the morning for 1 minute to 5 minutes can help in clearing the stomach. It is beneficial to stretch the lower body essentially. It relieves the tension from the thigh and neck region and also increases blood circulation in the pelvic region. Creating complex Kolam’s, and remembering the designs with a count of dots, enhance concentration, and good memory exercise. It keeps the right and left brain active. Counting the dots includes maths which enhances left brain activation and drawing and creating Kolam’s enhance right brain activation. Right brain for Art and Left brain for Maths/problem-solving. Isn't it amazing? At my home I allow my 9-year-old son to draw Rangoli in front of the holy Tulasi. And he comes up with amazing designs. Right-brain active people are more creative, good in arts, and music and they are more Intuitive. So is R. If one is more analytical and methodical in thinking, the theory says that you are left-brained. This theory is based on the fact of the brain's two hemispheres function. And our ancestors are no less than any scientists. They didn't have a proper theory to write or to preserve but they had experience, which they passed on from generation to generation, from grandmothers to mothers and daughters. This is the reason I admire our ancestors and practice this beautiful art form and tradition of drawing these Rangoli/Kolam for more than a decade now. 

 

Research has shown that the mathematical properties of Kolam’s are used in the computer science field. Algorithms for drawing Kolam’s are used in the development of picture drawing computer software. Kolam’s are used for research in computational anthropology. Recently I read an article about a lady losing her memory in a road accident, in Chennai where she forgot all her past and present life. But this lady remembered only drawing rangoli. Seeing this her mother started showing childhood pictures of this lady drawing Kolam’s. She started drawing slowly and sometime later the lady who had lost her memory in a road accident regained her memory back. I was awestruck after reading this. A small childhood routine that helped her in getting back to normal and regained her memory. In our culture, this morning ritual holds a significant, or highly valued routine in one's life. 

 

Lastly, the role of culture is that it forms through which we as a society reflect on who we are, where we have been, and where we hope to be. After reading this I wish you all follow and make it a lifetime routine. For me, art without tradition and culture looks like a boat without a beam.  I love these beautiful lines written by - Larry Senn " Culture and tradition is not an initiative. It is the enabler of all initiatives". True that!!