‘Margazhi’ punctuated by dots and lines

Around 45 families in Thiruvakkarai are dependent on making kolam powder

These villagers cater to buyers in Puducherry, Cuddalore and Villupuram. Photo: T. Singaravelou

Come the Tamil month of ‘Margazhi,’ women decorate the frontage of their houses, drawing myriad forms of colourful ‘kolam.’

To make their work decorative, residents of villages near Puducherry are toiling day and night to make kolam powder in various hues.

Around 45 families of non-descript hutments around Thiruvakkarai near here are solely dependent on making kolam powder of different varieties for their livelihood. It is usually during the few weeks running up to ‘Margazhi’ (mid-December and January) that men and women of this village have their work cut out as the demand for kolam powder hits the peak.

The villagers cater for buyers in Puducherry, Cuddalore and Villupuram.

S. Samikannu, a septuagenarian, said, “We do not have regular income from agriculture and sustain our livelihood by selling kolam powder . The season starts before mid-December. The proceeds from the one month help us make do for the lean months of the year.”

Apart from making white powder from white stone, they also bring white sand silted from lakes. They sieve the sand until it turns into a fine powder. The villagers mix synthetic colours with white sand in a perfect blend by adding sufficient quality of water. They then press the heap of sand by foot to make colourful kolam powder.

The preparation is left to dry before being packed in gunny bags. Some of it is also packed in smaller bags.

S. Susayamma recalls that in the past, people used only the powder made of rice flour to draw kolam and apply Kaavi (brick red powder) as outline. Now, kolam competitions have become a craze among the youth and they need more readymade colours.

The age-old custom of washing the porch of house and sprinkling cow dung is slowly dying. So is the practice of using finely ground rice powder.

“Now, white powder from white stone (moku mavu) and colour powder have come to stay,” says Susayamma.

D. Dhanamary provides an insight into the processes of kolam powder preparation and the supply chain.

“We bring ozha mannu (white sand) from the lake in Gingee and other areas. A load of sand will cost Rs.700. A total of 10 people will work on making coloured powder at a given time. We then fill it in small packs and carry them to villages and towns for sale. Each pack will cost Rs.10. A person will get Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000 as income in the season.”