Different types of kolam various muggulu
Sikku kolam or melika muggulu
If we read we may understand , if we do we will learn perfectly. No amount of notes or written matter is sufficient to draw some of the not so easy melikala muggulu also called neli kolam or chikku kolam as it called in Tamil.
Many of the dot patterns used or non standard though the common dot patterns are also used in some muggu. Observing the pictures carefully may help one in understanding the concept behind each muggu of this variety. The better option is to watch the videos and practice again and again till we are comfortable.
The dot pattern is 5 by 5 with 2 extra dots on four sides
Padi kolam designs or rangoli designs with lines
The next is the padi kolam or rangoli with lines in this blog article on different types of kolam that are commonly drawn in various parts of India, Southern India.
These designs are ubiquitous particularly on Fridays , functions like house warming , Aksharabhayasam and other family functions. Invariably drawn with a kaavi border to mark the auspicious occasion in the family. They are drawn mostly free hand and very rarely with dots. They start with a square pattern at the centre. Some draw the square pattern with curved lines so it is not exactly a square.
A variation is the kanya kolam that is drawn with patterns other than a square usually. However some call padi kolams also as kanya kolams. The classification varies across families because there is no laid down procedure. These traditions have been handed over from mother to daughter for generations. So definitions, classifications can vary. However they are drawn with 2, 4 or 5 lines. We can draw with 6 lines also but that will make the kolam big.
A variation is the kanya kolam that is drawn with patterns other than a square usually. However some call padi kolams also as kanya kolams. The classification varies across families because there is no laid down procedure. These traditions have been handed over from mother to daughter for generations. So definitions, classifications can vary. However they are drawn with 2, 4 or 5 lines. We can draw with 6 lines also but that will make the kolam big.
Idukku pulli kolam | oodu pulli kolangal | idai pulli kolams
When we use standard dot grids for making dotted kolam , the commonly used dot patterns are 5 to 3, 7 to 4 , 9 to 5 , 11 to 6 , 13 to 7 , 15 to 8 . In this variety of kolam after placing the first row of dots , the next row is placed below and between any two dots in the first row. This process continues in any of the dot combinations given above.
One example , with a 5 to 3 dot rangoli is given below through the photos with steps.
The theme used is maavilai , this is a very basic maavilai or mango leaf kolam. Mango leaves are associated with festivals and functions when we have mango leaf thoran and use mango leaves in the khalash. The images should explain the steps in case you need them.
Free hand rangoli | white rangoli designs
The next type of kolam in our discussion on kolam varieties is the free hand rangoli or rangoli without dots also called chukkala leni muggulu in Telugu. This gallery of images give the steps for a free hand rangoli design without colours .
The use of straight lines to form geometric patterns , curved lines and motifs to get simple rangoli designs is evident when we study the images.
The use of straight lines to form geometric patterns , curved lines and motifs to get simple rangoli designs is evident when we study the images.
The next kolam is a combination of pulli kolam, free hand kolam and lines designs.
The dot pattern is 5 to 3 idukku pulli , from which the basic star pattern is drawn for the centre design. Then free hand patterns and lines are drawn to get the white rangoli shown in the pictures.
An easy and simple kolam.
The dot pattern is 5 to 3 idukku pulli , from which the basic star pattern is drawn for the centre design. Then free hand patterns and lines are drawn to get the white rangoli shown in the pictures.
An easy and simple kolam.
