And now for some harmonious street art!
One of the foundational beliefs of Hinduism is that all life is sacred, from humans down to the pesky insects and creepy crawlers. This reverence and respect for all life forms is beautifully exemplified by South Indian woman and their creating of Kolams, or decorative street art made out of rice flour that is naturally dyed. Besides being a recycled medium, the dyed rice becomes a feast for birds and insects. Kolams are the result of a deep respect for all forms of life mixed with the richness and aesthetic prowess of South Indian culture, yielding art work that can be admired by passerbys and enjoyed enjoyed by nature. Women can be seen coloring the outside of their homes with Kolams as an offering to the animals and insects, creating harmony by supporting co-existence. Simple art with a purpose.
Something to think about for western taggers and graffiti artists. Why not try dyed rice flour? We will get to see Kolams as we venture through Mamallapuram on our March 2014 South Indian Spiritual Adventure. If you’re into color and pretty things that delight the senses, stop by for our next post to learn about some tantalizing treats. (Think candy of the earth…)
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