Leaf and flower

Onam Pookalams

With Onam comes in a plethora of floral carpets. Here is an attempt to fuse in pookalam and kolam...

The Peacocks' Gaze

Adorned with gracefully outflowing leaves and flowers, the floral patterns radiate palpable energy. The majestic pair of peacocks gracefully gazing lend a supreme leverage to the kolam. 

 

Quadra Convergence

This kolam has knitted together the traditionally used quadrasided kolam. The basic quadra angled pattern forms the underlying stroke of the kolam, and gives way to strong and sharp defining boundaries. 

Mangala Dayakam

Ayyappa is the divine conglomeration of "Sthithi" (Existence) and "Samharam" (Destruction) .
Before one can attain unision with this conglomerated spirit, one has to overcome 18 qualities in life, depicted as the 18 sacred steps in Sabarimala temple. The symbolism of these 18 steps is as follows:-
The first five steps symbolise the five human senses (Panchendriyas) i.e. visual (vision), auditory (hearing), olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste) and tactile (touch). These signify the `mortal' nature of one's body.
The next eight steps symbolise the eight Ashtaragas viz, Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Madha, Maltsarya, Asooya, Dhumb (Love, Anger, Avarice, Lust, Pride, Unhealthy Competition, Jealousy and Boastfulness).
The next three steps stand for three Gunas or Thrigunas (nature-born qualities) i.e. Satva, ( perspicuity, discernment) , Rajas (activity, enjoyment) and Thamas (inactivity, stupor).
The last two steps represent Vidya (Knowledge) and Avidya (Ignorance)

With the base of the kolam being the traditional Kanya kolam, the intricately well knitted designs give a compact and slender feel. The long and bold flower patterns give a finishing finale to this piece of art.

Karthika Vilakku

illaga viLakkadhu iruL keduppadhu
sollaga viLakkadhu sOdhi uLLadhu
pallaga viLakkadhu palarum kANbadhu
nallaga viLakkadhunamaccivAyavE
ல்லக விளக்கது ருள் கெடுப்பது
சொல்லக விளக்கது சோதி உள்ளது
பல்லக விளக்கது பலரும் காண்பது
நல்லக விளக்கது நமச்சிவாயவே
The lamp that is lit inside a house removes the darkness. It (namaSivAya) is praised as the
internal lamp. It is radiant. It is the lamp in many minds (- of devotees). It is sought by many
people (- the knowledge seekers). It is the good internal lamp (- the lamp that does good to
us). It is namaSivAya indeed.

--------- An excerpt from "namaccivayap padhigam" by Thirunavukkarasar

This kolam forms a befitting carpet for seating the lamps. Aligned with the theme of Karthika Vilakku, the kolam's outermost border adds a fine dash of radiance to it.

Navaratri Kolu

With symmetric steps on all sides, this kolam invokes the spirits of Navaratri.