Kolam by Sudha Balaji

Plate art Plate art decoration is an important branch of arts and crafts.  It is done on  paper plates, glass plates for wedding plate decoration, food plate decoration and for festivals like Diwali pooja thali  and Navratri aarti thali decoration - for decoration of kolu or for offering haldi and kumkum to guests.  However, some  traditionally offer haldi and kumkum on a silver plate. Some of the ideas for decorating thali or plates probably could also be used for Karva Chauth puja thali ( a festival celebrated in northern part of India) for which  a decorated plate is also required among many other requirements. Diwali aarti thali decoration with rangoli made with honey and cotton bud  What we need are , a clean plate, honey , semolina , rangoli colours and diyas. Dip the cotton bud in honey , draw the patterns or borders first .  Sprinkle semolina and shake gently the semolina sticks to the honey and the excess is removed.  Then ...

After Varalakshmi Vratham, comes Ganesh Chaturti or Vinayaka Chathurti or Chavithi .  It is celebrated on Chathurthi (the fourth day) after new moon  in the Tamil month, Aavani and Bhadrapada maasa in other calenders.Again, I would like to share how I celebrate this festival according to the method followed in our family.  There may be different methods followed in different families in various places in India.                       Arugampul (Bermuda grass) and arali (oleander) are two of the most important offerings for Ganesh Chathurti celebrations. This simple garland is my offering for Ganesh Puja.  A tuft of arugampul and two oleander flowers are placed together as shown, oleander above arugampul and strung into a garland following the usual method of stringing flowers.   Erukkam Poo malai | different type for Pillai Chaturthi decoration This garland is made by tying the flowers in a circle a...