Last Sunday morning, streets around Meenakshi temple wore a different look. Hundreds of women thronged Chithirai streets as early as 6.a.m. to show their creative skills with rangoli. Intricate kolams in cheery tints stole the gaze of passers by. Women clad in shimmering silk saris took extra efforts to make best of shapes and designs. It was meant to be a competition for all age groups but with no restriction of topics. As a result the women went gaga experimenting and letting their creativity run wild.
Everyone from homemakers, college-goers and working women enjoyed doing the routine activity of drawing kolam in a different way, with a new enthusiasm. “Appreciation was all we used to get for our ‘doorstep decorations', but this is the first time we are drawing kolams for a prize” said, Valli, a participant. From rabbits, peacocks and swans to geometrical benzene rings and trapeziums, the elaborate kolams breathed life into designs. Rangolis with catchy captions depicted issues like secularism and world peace, while animated krishnas and meenakshis fascinated onlookers including some foreign tourists. As bright blues, lucent pinks, pleasant yellows and glaring reds complemented each other, the street were a riot of radiant hues and patterns. The event was organized by Pothys for the first time in the city and was dedicated to Thiruvalluvar. Travel bags, a calendar and a wonderful experience were the take homes for the 2000 odd contestants.
