Kolam (Tamil: கோலம் ) is a form of sandpainting that is drawn
using rice powder by female members of the family in front of
their home. It is widely practised by Hindus in South India. A
Kolam is a sort of painted prayer — a line drawing composed of
curved loops, drawn around a grid pattern of dots. Kolams are
thought to bestow prosperity to homes. Every morning in southern
India, millions of women draw kolams on the ground with white
rice powder. Through the day, the drawings get walked on, rained
out, or blown around in the wind; new ones are made the next
day. Every morning before sunrise, the floor is cleaned with
water, the universal purifier, and the muddy floor is swept well
for an even surface. The kolams are generally drawn while the
surface is still damp so that it is held better. Occasionally,
cow-dung is also used to wax the floors. Cow dung has antiseptic
properties and hence provides a literal threshold of protection
for the home. It also provides contrast with the white powder.
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