Shanthi Sridharan, who hails from Tamil Nadu, India, is a leading name in the art of Kolam. Drawing a Kolam design is not easy, not as easy as drawing with a pencil or brush. Yet, Shanthi Sridharan has won the hearts of money by creating one colorful design after another with remarkable grace, beauty, precision and imagination, thus making this ancient Indian art popular among the aspiring artists. Shanthi's designs will make an indelible impression on your mind, although Kolam in itself is very fragile and short-lived form of art. It is easily prone to be washed away or blown by the wind. These beautiful pieces of art could only be preserved in our memories or in those of the digital cameras!
Kolam, also known as Golam, Muggula or Rangoli, consists of drawing geometrical patterns having a complex symmetry which is drawn using colored limestone powder, brick powder, chalk powder or various petals. The basic design of all the kolams is the same- dots arranged in rows and columns. These dots can be connected in infinite ways to create a diverse cohort of designs. Apart from geometrical designs it also consists of various flowers, animals, birds, astronomical symbols and nowadays even cartoons. It is typically drawn at the entrance of a house. It is regarded as an auspicious sign which brings happiness and prosperity to that house. During festivals like Diwali, Onam, Pongal or Rongal you will find Indian ladies clad in traditional dresses waking up early in the morning, sweeping the courtyards and then sprinkling water all over, drawing Kolam in the courtyards. It is an activity full of light and delight, color and humor, fragrance and elegance, devotion and sacred emotion! No corner of the house is spared of the joy of festivity. A Kolam like activity brings the members of the household together. A Kolam signifies connecting dots to create a design, akin to connecting people to create joy. A Kolam is beautiful, although short-lived; so also is our life.
Shanthi Shridharan lives in Chennai, South Inida. This area is rich with ancient temples with beautiful sculptures which have been a source of inspiration to her for her captivating art. She did not join any class to learn this. She has developed this art on her own by practice. On an average, she takes 3-4 hours to draw one Kolam. Kudos to Shanthi and her art! This slideshow presents some of the photographs from her collection of hundreds of kolams. No art is less than a meditation which ultimately leads one to experience the divine glory and oneness with the infinite.
Kolam, also known as Golam, Muggula or Rangoli, consists of drawing geometrical patterns having a complex symmetry which is drawn using colored limestone powder, brick powder, chalk powder or various petals. The basic design of all the kolams is the same- dots arranged in rows and columns. These dots can be connected in infinite ways to create a diverse cohort of designs. Apart from geometrical designs it also consists of various flowers, animals, birds, astronomical symbols and nowadays even cartoons. It is typically drawn at the entrance of a house. It is regarded as an auspicious sign which brings happiness and prosperity to that house. During festivals like Diwali, Onam, Pongal or Rongal you will find Indian ladies clad in traditional dresses waking up early in the morning, sweeping the courtyards and then sprinkling water all over, drawing Kolam in the courtyards. It is an activity full of light and delight, color and humor, fragrance and elegance, devotion and sacred emotion! No corner of the house is spared of the joy of festivity. A Kolam like activity brings the members of the household together. A Kolam signifies connecting dots to create a design, akin to connecting people to create joy. A Kolam is beautiful, although short-lived; so also is our life.
Shanthi Shridharan lives in Chennai, South Inida. This area is rich with ancient temples with beautiful sculptures which have been a source of inspiration to her for her captivating art. She did not join any class to learn this. She has developed this art on her own by practice. On an average, she takes 3-4 hours to draw one Kolam. Kudos to Shanthi and her art! This slideshow presents some of the photographs from her collection of hundreds of kolams. No art is less than a meditation which ultimately leads one to experience the divine glory and oneness with the infinite.
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