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"Kolam" refers to decorative designs drawn on the ground at the threshold and around the house, on walls, and in front of deities in puja rooms. The vibrant Kolam tradition dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization (2500 B.C). In the Mahabharata, the gopis (milkmaids) drew kolams to forget the pain that they experienced when their beloved Krishna is away. At a much later date, Kolam-drawing is listed as one of the 64 forms of art in Vatsyayana's Kamasutra.

Usually the designs are created and drawn by women and girls. Although it is commonly known as Rangoli in many parts of India, it is called Muggulu in Andhra pradesh, Rangavalli in Karnataka, Pookalam in Kerala, Chowkpurana in Uttar Pradesh, Madana in Rajasthan, Aripana in Bihar and Alpana in Bengal

Most often finely ground rice flour is used to make these drawings, which is the traditional medium, while others use sandstone or limestone powder.

Kolams are an extremely old cultural tradition of Indian families going back many generations. Young girls learn many of the designs from their mothers, grandmas, or aunties. Only to add their own artistic touches as they grow older. The designs are known for their magical power and are mainly a symbol of a healthy home.

There are different designs for the days of the week, planets, festivals, or gods. Insects and birds feed on the rice flour used for drawing the traditional Kolam at the entrance of houses. Thus, inviting other beings into one's home and everyday life. They are a daily tribute to harmonious co-existence. It is a sign of invitation to welcome all into the home.

Also the process of creating a Kolam is said to be benificial to the artist. The act of bending down each morning will help your digestive system, reproductive organs, and helps with overall stretching of the body.

The Kolam and the bright red border or kaavi enclosing it are also believed to prevent evil and undesirable elements from entering the houses. The lines have been designed to symbolically prevent evil spirits from entering the inside of the shapes, and thus the spirits are prevented from entering the inside of the home. However, more then anything they are a way to tell you neighbors and community that the people who live here are healthy and content.

It is considered bad luck to leave the home before the kolam is placed; so most designs are created at sunrise. This is also tied to the belief that each night a person dies and each morning a person is born again. In addition it is tradition to not place a Kolam in front of the home for thirteen days after the death of a family member.

The first step to laying a Kolam is to clean the floor with water, the universal purifier, and sweep the floor well for an even surface. The kolams are generally drawn while the surface is still damp so that it is held better. Occasionally, cow-dung is also used to wax the floors. Cow dung has antiseptic properties and hence provides a literal threshold of protection for the home. It also provides contrast and a more adhesive surface for the white powder.

Generally, a kolam is drawn with bare fingers. The drawing starts with a certain number of pattern points and curly lines going around these points. The dots are either connected together to make a pattern or loops are drawn encircling the dots to complete a design. Kolams can also be very vibrant. Rangolli is a type of Kolam know for being extremly colorful. Flowers are often also incorporated into the design.

The patterns can be very complex and huge during festival months. The temples will have complicated designs that will cover thousands of square feet. Sometimes, a number of women together will create one big design. The Tamil month of "markazhi" (Dec/Jan) is chiefly important when reasonably large size Kolams are drawn in front of the houses, with extra embellishment of yellow flowers from the pumpkin plant (also known to represent the womb).

An example of such a festival is Pongal. On the day of Pongal, family members together draw the kolam with rice flour that can be plain as well as colored. Parallel straight lines can be drawn using a cylindrical rod (Ulakai) as a guide. The design can be a basic one or can be artistically drawn with signs of cosmic interest.

The kolam defines the sacred area where the Pongal is prepared. Within the perimeters of kolam, normally, firewood is used to cook the rice. The Pongal is set up in the direct view of the Sun (East). Traditionally, the kolam is laid in the front or side of the house, but in colder regions where cooking indoors with firewood is hazardous, the Pongal can be prepared outside and brought to the location where the kolam is set up.

It used to be a matter of pride to be able to draw large complicated patterns without lifting the hand off the floor (or unbending to stand up). The month of "Margazhi" was eagerly awaited by young women, who would then showcase their skills by covering the entire width of the road with one big kolam. It was indeed a test of mastery, as one cannot repeat a pattern for 30 days.

There are even suggestions being made that young girls find mathmatics to be easier then boys, due to their exposure to ideas of geometry and number sequenceing needed to create Kolams.

Putting Kolams in front of the houses is very much in practice in south Indian villages. But unfortunately the practice is becoming nearly extinct in metropolitan cities where more and more are living in high-rise apartment buildings. Also, many people prefer to paint a permanent Kolam instead of creating a new one for each day.

However, the Kolam designs are still finding there way into current society. Modern artist and designers are using them as a source of inspiration and reference in contemporary art pieces, clothing, advertisements, and as a general marketing tool. So one way or another it looks like the beautiful designs of Kolam are here to stay.