Kolam

South Indian art · rice flour · geometric design · tradition

Made with rice flour. Kolam artists use rice flour as their main material, drawing intricate patterns right on the ground in front of their homes. Sometimes they also use white stone powder, chalk, or colored powders to create their designs.

Geometric dot patterns. A kolam is created by drawing straight lines, curves, and loops around a grid of dots on the ground. The patterns are usually symmetrical and very precise, like solving a beautiful math puzzle with your hands.

Mostly drawn by women. While anyone can make a kolam, it is traditionally drawn by female family members, especially at the entrance to their homes. This daily art form has been passed down through families for hundreds of years.

Festival masterpieces. During holidays and special celebrations, families create much more complex and colorful kolams that are bigger and more detailed than their everyday ones. These festive versions can take hours to complete.

Found worldwide now. As South Indian families have moved around the world, kolam has traveled with them to countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and many others. You can find people practicing this beautiful tradition on multiple continents today.