Mandalas
Mandalas inspired by my South Indian heritage and its effect on mindfulness and meditation
Mandalas
Inspired by South Indian heritage & culture
The meditative ritual of Kōlam art is predominantly observed by women in Tamil Nadu, India, and symbolizes invitation, harmony, and wellness.
Using rice flour, women delicately create the Kōlam design using their fingertips at the entrance of homes.
The sacred art of making a Kōlam brings a graceful and delightful sense of calm and peace both to the creator and the viewer.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SOUTH INDIAN RITUAL ART, KŌLAM
Kōlam, which translates to "sketch" in English, adorns the floors of South Indian homes, from festivities and spiritual events to celebrations like weddings, birth announcements, and festivals. These designs symbolize more than artistic expression—they stand as spiritous symbols of harmony, unity, and sacred offerings.
Rooted in centuries-old tradition, Kōlam's legendary origin traces back to the ninth-century medieval Tamil saint Āņțāļ. The name Āņțāļ, meaning "she who rules," embodies the Earth Goddess. The story of Āņțāļ mirrors the profound essence of Kōlam—ritual acts of love that create fields of forgiveness. This ancient practice, handed down through generations, holds a timeless significance in South Indian culture, weaving together art, spirituality, and the enduring values of love and forgiveness.
The auspiciousness of Kōlam is attributed not to the person creating it but to the intentions and actions filled with goodness during the process. The making of Kōlam is a holistic activity involving various mathematical skills, encompassing counting, identifying, measuring, designing, experimenting, and explaining. This intricate combination of skills adds depth to the art form, making it a harmonious blend of creativity and mathematical precision.
MY UPBRINGING AND CONNECTION TO THE MANDALA ART
I was raised in a devout, middle-class, joint family in South India. My household had multi-generations living together, including my siblings, parents, grandparents, aunt, and uncle. My mother would create a Kōlam on the threshold and the prayer hall floor as part of her daily cherished ritual. On special religious occasions, my home would transform with the intricate beauty of an elaborate rice paste Kōlam crafted by my mother. The occasion would also include a sacred fire ceremony led by priests and resonant chants of Vedic hymns. My family would invite friends and neighbors to join us in special homemade feasts, creating a heartwarming tradition that fostered a strong sense of community.
Growing up in such a family gave me profound insights into the significance of family rituals, the transformative power of prayer and spirituality, and the enduring importance of community connections. In expressing my sense of belonging and identity, I turn to the symbolic language woven into the intricate art of mandalas.
FIVE FACTS ABOUT THE KŌLAM ART
Symbolism of Time and Space
The artistry of Kōlam serves as a symbolic reflection of the universe, with its limitless designs mirroring the boundless nature of space. Traditionally crafted before sunrise, Kōlam establishes a connection with celestial elements, infusing daily life with renewed energy.
Ritual Offering to Earth Goddess
The Kōlam serves as a ritual offering to the Earth Goddess, seeking forgiveness for stepping on her. It also honors the Goddesses of Wealth and Fortune, inviting prosperity and wellness into the household.
Dharmic Offering and Generosity
The Kōlam, created with rice flour, symbolizes a "Dharmic Offering," extending generosity to non-human creatures like ants and sparrows. It becomes an invitation for them to feed on the rice flour.
A Sign of Visual Prayer
Beyond its visual appeal, the Kōlam is a prayer for sustained blessings, including health, wealth, and resilience in times of suffering. Its presence at the entrance signifies the ordinary vibrancy of a harmonious household. Its absence indicates a potential sign of illness, suffering, or death overnight — a signal for neighbors to offer assistance and solace to grieving household members. Hence, the Kōlam represents the impermanence of life.
It's Ephemeral
The Kolam is swept up, blown away by the breeze, erased by the passing feet, nibbled on by insects, or washed away in the rain. Hence, its ephemeral nature underlines the transient nature of existence, representing a desire for a fleeting moment of fullness before fading away.
PAINTINGS INSPIRED BY THE TYPES OF TRADITIONAL INDIAN MANDALAS
THE RADIANT LOTUS - A STORY-TELLING PROJECT
The Radiant Lotus; Acrylic on Canvas,; 48" H x 48" W, 2021
Work-in-Progress
The Beginnings...
Facts about Jasmine flower
Drawing Mandala Circles
a Knot Mandala Demo
Travelling back to Childhood
Mandala Colors and Facts
a Dot Mandala Demo
a Line Mandala Demo
Festive Mandala Drawings
PAINTING SERIES
INSPIRED BY
THE UPANISHADS
These paintings were Inspired by the "The Upanishads," a classic work of Indian spirituality introduced and translated by Eknath Easwaran.
The Upanishads are the sages’ wisdom and spiritual teachings exploring the consciousness. The Upanishads focus on the medium of knowing: the mind by looking inward. They are not philosophy. They do not explain or develop a line of argument. They are darshana, “something seen,” not only to listen to the words but to realize them: that is, to make our truths an integral part of character, conduct, and consciousness. Although we speak of Upanishads together as a body, each chapter is complete in itself, an ecstatic snapshot of transcendent Reality. Eswaran shows how these teachings are just as relevant to us now as they were centuries ago.
