IN YOUR OWN WORDS

Always in the morning, early in the morning. That's almost the first thing that we do, sweep the front portion of the house, sprinkle water and design a kolam on it, just in front of the gate. (Sarala Chelvaraj)

Rituals lead ultimately to concentration on the point (Bindu), the centre at which all experience, all being, is compacted into its utmost concentration - to implode back into its origin. (Ajit Mookerjee)

Kolam making flourishes during the ninth Hindu solar month of Markali, some women say that at this time the doorways between the divine and the early are wide open. (Vijaya Nagarajan)

Llakshmi the goddess of wealth was visiting a village. Housewives of all castes
had decorated their houses to welcome her. The goddess found the house of a sweeper woman the most attractive and entered that. (Prafulla Mohanti)

First I am silent and in the quiet the picture is made in my heart. I bring it out whole from my heart. A message from me to ma, my painted prayer, when it is pure I know she will hear me. (Kamala, Bihar)