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Kōlam (Kolam)

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  • First Online:
Hinduism and Tribal Religions

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Indian Religions ((EIR))

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Synonyms

Rangoli

Definition

The kōlam (plural: kōlaṅkaḷ) is an auspicious threshold design, a geometric pattern applied to the entry way to a home or temple at the start of the day, just before sunrise. Kōlam design is practiced throughout southern India. In general there are two types of kōlams: one type, known as kampi kōlam uses snake-like lines that curve around but do not intersect with dots (puḷḷi) that are evenly spaced in grids, rather than weave between the dots, the other main style connects the dots, usually in radiating symmetrical patterns.

Kōlam designs and styles vary by region across south India, as well as by the artist’s neighborhood, village, and caste [2, 3]. Basic kōlam designs include rings, knots, and labyrinth-like patterns [5]. For example, paṭi kōlams made by brahmins from east coast of Tamil Nadu typically feature a central square shape [6]. The art and style of kōlams are passed down, from grandmother, mother, or aunt to their daughters. Kōlams mark and...

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References

  1. Ascher M (2002) The kolam tradition. Am Sci 90(1):56–63

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  2. Huyler SP (1994) Painted prayers: women’s art in village India. Rizzoli International Publications, Inc., New York

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  3. Huyler SP (2008) Daughters of India. Abbeville Press, New York

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  4. Laine A (2009) In conversation with the kolam practice: auspiciousness and artistic experiences among women in Tamilnadu, South India. Doctoral dissertation, University of Gothenburg

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  5. Mall A (2007) Structure, innovation and agency in pattern construction: the Kōlam of southern India. In: Hallam E, Ingold T (eds) Creativity and cultural improvisation. Oxford, Berg

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  6. Murali T (2015) Padi kolam: an artistic tradition of Tamil brahmins. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, Seattle

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  7. Nagarajan VR (2007) Threshold designs, forehead dots, and menstruation rituals: exploring time and space in Tamil kolams. In: Pintchman T (ed) Women’s lives, women’s rituals in the Hindu tradition. Oxford University Press, Oxford

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  8. Thirumurthy V, Simic-Muller K (2012) Kolam: a mathematical treasure of South India. Child Educ 88(5):309–314

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Humanities, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    L. E. Comeau

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  1. L. E. Comeau
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Correspondence to L. E. Comeau .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept of Anthropology, The University of North Texas Dept of Anthropology, Denton, Texas, USA

    Pankaj Jain

  2. The Graduate Theological Union , Berkeley, California, USA

    Rita Sherma

  3. Jamia Millia Islamia, Centre for the Study of Comparative Reli Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India

    Madhu Khanna

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Comeau, L.E. (2018). Kōlam (Kolam). In: Jain, P., Sherma, R., Khanna, M. (eds) Hinduism and Tribal Religions. Encyclopedia of Indian Religions. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1036-5_290-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1036-5_290-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-024-1036-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-024-1036-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Religion and PhilosophyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Humanities

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