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Early each morning women clean and water the pavement in front of their houses. They then decorate the pavement using a form of art called Kolam in Tamil Nadu, globally known as Rangoli. Kolams are a symbol of auspiciousness. The traditional medium of rangoli is rice flour but today (due to cost) limestone powder or sandstone is mainly used. The designs are colored with colored dyes.
The tradition of kolam dates back to 2500 B.C. They were drawn using a course rice flour. This served as a food source for insects and birds. Rice flour is seen as an offering to Lakshmi, who is the Hindu goddess of wealth and rice. She has the power to prevent poverty from entering a home.
The artwork is passed down from generation to generation. A young will learn from her mother or grandmother. Types of kolam designs include: pulli (dots) are arranged in a specific sequence and order and then joined to make a pictorial design, and line kolams where a free hand drawing of lines makes a geometrical pattern.
Kolam designs can have special meanings as well. A Thottil Kolam is created for a newborn's naming ceremony. A Nalvaravu Kolam is used to welcome wedding guests.
You will see lovely kolams as you walk through the French Quarter. But they are also created all over India at temples - and homes - during festival times, special occasions such as weddings, and for pujas.
Written Jan 18, 2010
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Breakfast foods from South India are popular "snacks" that are eaten at other times during the day all over India.
My photo shows a sample breakfast. From top left: uppama/upma, kesari, pongal. From bottom left: red chutney, coconut chutney, masala dosa, and vadai/wada. A sambar is also served.
Uppama/upma is made from pounded rice, semolina, vegetables, and spices (one of my favorites).
Kesari is a sweet dish made with semolina, ghee, coconut milk, and a few other ingredients (very good!).
Pongal is made from rice, dahl, spices, etc.
The chutneys and sambar are used for dipping your dosa or vadai/wada.
Masala dosa is a wafer-like lentil flour pancake stuffed with a potato masala (great any time of day).
Vadai/wada are deep-fried dahl and vegetable cakes shapped like a donut.
Not pictured but also a very popular dish is idli - a spongy, fermented rice cake. Sometimes served with a vadai/wada, chutneys, and sambar.
It is unlikely that you will spend anytime in India and not try at least one of the above! Dosas especially are very popular, come in several varities, and can literally be a yard long.
Be sure to try a little bit of everything. Bon Appetit!
Updated Jan 18, 2010
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