Kolam tradition in South India:: Rangoli in Indian threshold design

Book Detail

• Author: Saswati Sengupta
• Brand: D.K. Printworld Pvt. Ltd.
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of Pages: 407
• Release Date: 01-01-2019
• EAN: 9788124609279
• Package Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.5 x 1.6 inches
• Languages: English

Description

"Kolam" is a comprehensive exploration of the religious and cultural significance of threshold drawings created by women in South India. These intricate geometric patterns, known as kolams, are an integral part of Tamil culture, symbolizing prayers for protection and prosperity. The aesthetic appeal of kolam lies in its symmetrical composition, which is intricately related to the Tamil concept of the cosmos.

The book highlights the precise structure of kolam, which is guided by a series of dots called pulli, an algorithmic pattern that defines the crossings and smoothens the overall design. The kolam’s patterns are a blend of mathematical elegance and artistic expression, following a set of rules that are both dynamic and intricate, embodying concepts of movement, space, and rhythm.

Saswati Sengupta expands on the work of scholars like Marcia Ascher, who identified the dynamic properties of kolam as a demonstration of multiplicity in the void. The kolam's geometric grid and rhythmic nature have also been compared to polyrhythmic music. Dancer Chandralekha even observed that the creation of kolam can be seen as a form of yoga.

In addition to its cultural significance, kolam has entered diverse fields, including computer graphics, ethnomathematics, ethnomusicology, and therapeutic applications. The book traces the universal appeal of kolam, drawing connections to similar sand patterns found in African and South Pacific cultures, as well as ancient Roman mosaics.

This detailed work offers a fascinating insight into a cultural practice that is as artistic as it is scientific, enriching readers with an appreciation for the intersection of geometry, spirituality, and daily life in Tamil Nadu.