23 August 2013

"Kolam" - The Traditional Indian Art

             
                  Kolam is a folk art from India. It includes various geometric patterns & shapes, most of which are drawn around little dots. The patterns are usually created with rice flour,  so that they serve as a food for ants and birds. These days a lot of materials are used such as coloured sand using either chemical or natural colours such as vermilion/ turmeric etcetra. They are also done using flower petals, which is a very popular art in Kerala.




                  Kolams were considered a Symbol of Auspiciousness. Hindus belief that that the geometrical patterns & designs applied with rice flour at the entrance to a home, invites Goddess Lakshmi into the household, and drives away the evil spirits.



                They are known as Aripana in Bihar, Chowk pujan in Uttar Pradesh, Hase in Karnataka, Muggulu in Andrapradesh, Alpana in Bengal and Assam, and Rangoli in Gujarat and Maharashtra.



                These Kolams can either be drawn using a white powder alone or filled with colour powders. (Rang- colour in Hindi)
                The kolams were done in front yard of the house in the mornings by Indian women and sometimes during evenings too. 



                I remember helping my mommy in "Kolam contests" when I was a little kid, we spend hours drawing & filling the patterns with coloured sand. And I used get too happy when we win the prize.!!



                These days I have dropped the more traditional patterns to a freehand style.



                During the Festival of Lights, DIWALI and the month of Karthigai, these Kolams are decorated with little lamps creating a nice light effect. 



                These are all my works that I did during some festivals we celebrate in India; that were worth sharing..!! 
                Have a colorful day folks :) :)

21 August 2013

A Bouquet of Roses..!!

                    Roses never cease to amaze me, with either their amazing colors or their alluring fragrance. Always enchanted by their beauty. They just compel me to take my cam & capture them on film ( well, on my memory card..!!).

                   A few roses from my garden....










 And a few from a nearby nursery...





“He who dares not grasp the thorn ,
Should never crave the rose.” 
~ Anne Brontë


A New Beginning...

Little brown seeds so small and round,
Are sleeping quietly under ground.
Down come the raindrops
sprinkle, sprinkle, sprinkle.
Out comes the rainbow,
twinkle, twinkle, twinkle.
Little brown seeds way down below,
Up through the earth they grow, grow, grow.
Little green leaves come one by one.
They hold up their heads and look at the sun.

~ Unknown


19 August 2013

Me & My Blog..

I am Pon Malar to everyone,,, Blossom, Goldy, Pons, Malar, Tinky to My Friends,,, an Enigma to some,,, Troublesome for most.!!
A Doctor by Profession, Photographer by Passion.
Lots to say about me but it will be kinda boring, so I guess I will keep it short. I love photography, and I go shooting like crazy. Other hobbies may be gardening, reading, pencil sketching,,.... I keep meddling with almost everything that I dunno what are my hobbies, really. I love being alone at night & listening to music. I love chocolates & ice cream. Well my parents will like to say, I eat almost everything that is edible.!!
About my profession,, though I didn't choose it myself I think I am falling in love with being a Doctor. There were moments of extreme happiness, like When a women said we are like God for them, When a little girl gave me a chocolate for curing her, When an old man said I will make a good Doctor. I never believed I was meant to be a Doctor, but these moments changed my belief.
I don't believe in ghosts, superstitions & other scary stuff. In fact I love watching horror movies. Not scared of snakes n such but these teeny tiny flying insects scare me a lot.
I can get a lot moody sometimes, but that is just part of the package deal. I mean one can't be happy always right.?!
Some call me naughty & playful, Some call me irritating. And there are people who hate me,, but I just don't want to care about that. After all. Life is too short for worries, eh..??
Well coming to this blog, Its going to be about the things that are part of my life. My passions, my dreams, my friends, my crazy thoughts & silly ramblings. Thats just about everything. So whether you like it or not you are gonna be stuck with me & you better learn to love it.
So lets keep rocking, be happy & enjoy what you do..........