Kolam is a form of rangoli widely used in India and mostly in South India. It holds special significance in the South of India and South Indian wedding rituals as its an age-old art of south India dating back in the Sanskrit texts where Kolam was made on the threshold of their homes using rice flour. Women of South India wakes up early in the mornings every day to make these on the courtyard, it’s their tradition to make them. They believe that this is the place where external and internal elements of the world meet and it is a sign of prosperity for them. The art required geometric patterns and dots to make an amazing aesthetic Kolm muggulu . These dots were joined to make a loop or pattern on their own. muggulu features in ancient Sankrit texts meaning that it belongs to old age. muggulu means decorative design drawn on the floor. Initially used rice flour and turmeric for a pinch of colour but these days to avoid the wastage of it, they use chalk powder and other bright colour powder for decoration.
Kolam designs differ from rangoli as muggulu designs are more of geometric designs with geometric patterns. Rangoli can be made with any pattern or soft elements and is more colourful and bright also but Kolam strictly needs geometric patterns. Finesse in the work of Kolam is required though creativity knows no boundaries.
Kolam is the one significant reason to attend a Tamil wedding once in your life here’s why; Tamil weddings are of course very different from North Indian weddings especially Tamil Brahmin weddings, apart from the rich gold jewellery with intricate work and beautiful sarees there are Kolam designs too which are an integral part of the décor at the weddings. Kolam has cultural values and is old age art as we’ve read. With the decorations at the Tamil weddings, muggulu designs go hand in hand as it adds character to the whole venue. Every family has Kolam experts in the family itself so all of them come together to make such intricate and elaborate designs to attract guests. muggulu are used for festivals and occasional purposes aswell.
Here we’ve listed 10 basic Kolam designs to get you started!
1. Beginner way is easy/simple way
It’s easy to start with, for a beginner start by making a circle or wheel in the middle and fill it with whatever you are comfortable with then go on the outer of the circle to make 4 triangles looking patterns. It’s simple and effective. It’s just a little practice and here you are with a beautiful Kolam design for a beginner.
2.Make flower
This design is seen in nature so getting inspired with nature we make any kind of flower whichever your hand is comfortable with. Don’t forget to put dot in the middle of the flower. Add some 3-4 lines in each petal. Try different types of flowers and add elements to get different results each time.
3. Flower + leaf + spiral
Continuing with the flower, make the flower in the middle to give the muggulu a base to work on. Adding leaves and a spiral patterns will add the extra x-factor to the flower design. The spiral design is easy to master as the practice of rotation movement is the only practice needed, whichever way you like it; the pattern coming inward or the pattern coming outward. Use different types of flowers and leaves for more amazing look. Do make a blue print of what you want and practice a lot.
4. Let’s do dots
Kolam designs were traditionally made up of geometric designs and dots which were precisely made. The geometric patterns look great but the eye-catching ones are made with dots all over. The dots are not for beginners it’s mastered with a lot of practice and precision. So make your way up till here for the dot drama created in muggulu . Look for amazing muggulu designs at the wedding venue with dots.
5. Be in the line
Lines in muggulu are common and is the traditional way of doing muggulu . But it looks easy and truly it’s not that easy, line Kolam designs are made of straight lines and some curves to give the muggulu a form. Making lines seems simple but control of hand and balance of lines makes the muggulu aesthetic. Hey, just practice and keep practising, it may take some time but you can do it for the perfect wedding Kolam. Seek help from people older to you to know more about the ancient existence of kolam in Indian traditions.
6. Pongal Kolam designs
There can be festive relation muggulu for a quirky element. Adding Kalash and diyas can be made by placing the diyas and mixing it with other elements to make one geometric looking pattern. Mix and match different elements to get outstanding results, create themes using Kolam designs to give muggulu a fun element so that our future generations also show interest. The design is easy to do even for untrained hands.
7. Square pattern
Let’s do something different using a square shape to add a personal touch and a “just my design” vibe to it. Make a square and fill the inside and outside of the square with any of the above or do multiple squares for that extra quirky look. Use dots, lines , flower , spiral and many more to fill in the blanks. Also ask sisters to help you draft the layout of muggulu design first to have a clear picture in mind of what you actually want this way your sisters and other relatives can actually help you.
8. The Star of the show
The Star of the show is a star itself. Here is more complicated idea if you are an expert of Kolam designs. The idea is to make a two triangle star or any other complex yet delicate design, selection of these complex and powerful designs at your wedding is a great choice to make. Star design becomes the main attraction of the whole Kolam design. It is a little difficult to make, seek help of your mother or sister and it will serve as a good bonding exercise. Complicated it much however you like it.
9. Hexagon and circle
Hexagon is a geometric element. Excuse me it’s the most amazing geometric element to use in muggulu designs. Start by making a big hexagon at the centre and outline it. Inside that make lines, dots, flowers; outside of the hexagon make spiral patterns that you have learned at the beginning, make it huge and outline them and cover the whole kolam with dots at the end. Or change the outer covering by making more geometric patterns that are different in shapes and try different sizing in between at you wedding with Kolam designs.
10. Peacock muggulu
The most amazing element with elegance is a peacock. If you love colour and want a colourful muggulu the go for a coloured peacock Kolam, it’s rich in culture, intricacy, colour, aesthetic presentation and tradition. For an eye-catching Kolam, this is perfect to lift up the décor of your wedding by 200 per cent. Your wedding muggulu designs will be remembered by everyone attending the wedding.
Weddings are celebrations of the union of two souls and kolam designs are all about celebrating. Kolam are the most traditionally important element of Tamil Brahmin weddings. muggulu designs may be a south Indian tradition but its spirit can be felt in any part of India. No Tamil wedding is complete without gorgeous Kolam pattern. Mix different elements and add a modern touch to the ancient art that has been carry forwarded by the ancestors of ours. Hope all of you loved these Kolam designs and will try them yourselves.
