Month of Margazhi - Chantal Jumel

The divine month of Margazhi — part 4

The lesser known Nacciyar Tirumoli is made up of 14 hymns divided into 143 verses. Here, a tearful and anxious Andal addresses her prayers through a fine sand mandala to Manmathan or Kamadeva the god of love, asking him to fulfil her deepest wish: to unite her with Kannan (Krishna).

Month of Margazhi

The divine month of Margazhi — part 3

In 2018, I drew a kolam of Andal as a girl and she remains my favourite image; she walks confident just before she performs the month long pavai nombu (a short-term penance). Thus, I began this 30-day journey with Andal. I would live through her eyes and it was a wholesome spiritual experience.

Month of Margazhi

The divine month of Margazhi — part 2

Today, the living presence of Sri Andal, continues to stimulate the imagination of kolam artists. The ecstatic lines centred on Krishna and his deeds convey with simplicity and depth the passionate quest for enlightenment.

Month of Margazhi

The divine month of Margazhi — part 1

I met a group of women attached to Srinivasa Perumal temple in Mylapore. They belong to the Vaishnava tradition and often gather to create kolam on religious themes. At this time of the year, they have chosen to draw Sri Andal.

Kolam riddles

Kolam and riddles

Dieter B. Kapp has compiled a list of metaphors relating to the kolam in the form of riddles, sayings and proverbs. Published in the form of a series of booklets, they explore all aspects of Tamil culture, and include a variety of images depicting these ephemeral drawings.

God Ganesha/Pillaiyar

Pillaiyar, the Remover of obstacles

Ganesha, the elephant-headed god known as Pillaiyar in Tamil, is probably the best known Indian god in the West. He’s known for his jolliness and round belly, a sign of his love for sweets. It is believed that he wrote the great epic the Mahabharata, dictated to him by the sage Vyasa.

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.