Kolam practitioner, Grace Gitadellia tells us how this “visual language” can speak to those who can read it

A Kolam is a geometrical line drawing composed of curved loops, drawn around a grid pattern of dots. In South India, it is widely practised by female Hindu family members in front of their houses. Grace Gitadellia tells us in this interview how this traditional drawing is much more than we see or understand. She takes us through the many ways Kolam works for her unfolds its powers and magic.

The paradox of design in India

When a man needs nothing to survive, he basically is above a problem and hence there is nothing to solve. Is that the point where “design” becomes obsolete and useless for an individual? In a country with a background of such when we overthink the curve of a chair or the shift of a font it does somewhere clash with our own stories hearing which we grew up.

My guruji – Ustad Rahim Fahimuddin Dagar

"Dhrupad is not just bandish but the entire system", said he. "Starting from how to pronounce each swar, how should it be presented, how much of softness should it have and how much strength does it require, Dhrupad is the entire science of the voice-culture and impartation of musical knowledge taking care of every stage and step, even keeping in account how one should sit and what one should wear."