Chantal Jumel (Page 4)

Kolam are in the kitchen as well

The kitchen remains a privileged place where one must avoid any bad influence that would harm the health of family members. The use of votive decorations differs among families.

God Hanuman

The household deities — part 2

Besides Lakshmi, other gods are also worshipped: Agni, the god of fire; Yama, the god of death; Navagraha, the nine planets as well as snakes in the form of diagrams etc.

God Hanuman

The household deities — part 1

In Hindu traditions, every home has a shrine in front of which, rites and offerings are made in honour of various deities. The altar has one or several statues or images that represent the family’s favourite gods or goddesses.

Kolam/Tamil Nadu

The Sundaram Finance Mylapore Festival

So women don't hesitate to step outside the home to take part in contests with others who are just as passionate about this art. In my opinion, the most creative contest is the one which takes place in Mylapore, a neighbourhood in Chennai.

Chantal Jumel

Art at the threshold

"Traditional kolams need to be revived", Chantal Jumel has been doing research on kolam and floor paintings for 15 years now. She came to Chennai from France in 2010 and continued her research in a few villages.

Inspiring kolam artists

Panguni kolam with Latha

During the Tamil month of Panguni (mid-March to mid-April), a nine day-long festival takes place at Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore, Chennai. The celebrations start with the flag hoisting. The idols of Kapaleeshwarar and Karpagambal mounted on a vehicle are decorated with clothes and jewels.

Inspiring kolam artists

Inspiring women "Anantha Valli and Latha"

It all started with an invitation to watch the kolam making in the lane of the very popular canteen called “Mami Tiffen stall” in Mylapore, Chennai.

Chantal Jumel

Bhoomi Chitra, organised by Intach-Madurai

Intach-Madurai invites you to a conference on Indian floor paintings by Chantal Jumel.

Chantal Jumel

A French connection to Kolams

Chennai has an enthusiastic visitor from France every year, during Margazhi season. Meet Chantal Jumel.

Inspiring kolam artists

Inspiring women "Ramamani Hanasoge"

Ramamani lives in Bangalore and she draws daily in front of her Tulasi pot, stories of Krishna on a granite slab with powders.

Chantal Jumel

Connecting the dots outside our homes

Drawing a kolam is an everyday chore for many women but how many are aware of its aesthetics and what the dots signify? Through pictures and lectures, French photographer Chantal Jumel enlightens us.

Chantal Jumel

Photography exhibition on KOLAM

DAKSHINA CHITRA, Chennai, February 13 to March 20, 2016

Bibliography/Ephemeral art

Bengal alpona, "Books and references"

A selection of books on alpona written by researchers, alpona artists, and art lovers. Some paintings inspired by alpona.

Makara Sankranti/Poush Sankranti

Bengal alpona, "Poush Sankranti in the villages"— part 5

Alpona adorn the courtyards of houses. A closer look reveals houses, stables or kitchens. Sometimes with pictograms of humans or animals inside, and offerings of chillies, onions, pea pods, different types of seeds meant for the kitchen, and grass.

Makara Sankranti/Poush Sankranti

Bengal alpona, "Poush Sankranti at Sumitra’s home" — part 4

Drawings on the walls include agricultural tools, kitchen utensils, lotuses, fish, birds, abstract human figures, divine feet, mangoes, betel leaves, a palanquin, a pot of vermilion, arm ornaments and circular granaries.

Brata/rituals

Bengal alpona, "At Sumitra’s home"— part 3

In the centre of the courtyard, wrapped in a white shawl, Sumitra paints with a confident hand on the beaten earth. She guides the milky substance between her fingers and invokes the presence of Goddess Lakshmi by repeating her footprints like an incantation.

Goddess Durga

Bengal alpona, "Meeting with Kolkata" — part 2

Then on to Kumartuli, another mythical place in Kolkata. It is here that potters and sculptors make idols of the goddess Durga, which, once painted and dressed, are carried in procession before disappearing into the river.

Alpana/alpona Bengal

Bengal alpona, "The River by Jean Renoir"— part 1

The Bengal I have been dreaming of since I was a teenager is the Bengal of villages and the graphic creativity of the women, as in the opening scene of Jean Renoir's film "The River", shot in 1950 in Barrackpore near Kolkata.

Alpana/alpona Bengal

Alpona: Images and Symbols of Bengali Women

In Bengal, ephemeral designs are called alpona, alpana or alimpan and are associated with rituals called brata performed by women during festivals.

Kolam/Tamil Nadu

Jain rice designs to liberate the soul

According to Jain scriptures, every man or woman has to draw auspicious symbols with unbroken rice before starting the daily prayers.

Inspiring kolam artists

Inspiring women "Maheswari"

Maheswari considers her kolam drawing as a seva or a disinterested service. The technic used here is called "maavu kolam". It is done by soaking rice and grinding it smooth. Then, the kolam is drawn with the help of a piece of cloth dipped in the liquid and carefully driven by the middle finger.

Inspiring kolam artists

Inspiring women "Janaki Gopalan"

My immense pleasure as soon as I reach Chennai is to read "The Hindu" newspaper. One year, I came across a few lines mentioning the publication of a kolam book. Next day I went to CP Ramaswami Aiyer Foundation in Alwarpet, bought the book, and contacted right away, the artist Mrs Janaki Gopalan.

Chantal Jumel

Arts & Cultures N° 16 / 2015

ARTICLE "A journey through graphical India" Chantal Jumel

Festival culturel du Tibet et des peuples de l'Himalaya

Tchenrezig (Sanskrit, Avalokiteshvara), the Buddha of Great Compassion is invoked through a sand mandala by the monks of Gaden Jangtse monastery.

Chantal Jumel

Kolam Diaries and the language of OM

"Unbound line that traverses Elements", an exhibition by French artist Chantal Jumel, is inspired from a gamut of topics that range from contemporary issues to Upanishads to the ephemeral kolam.