Kolam by Sudha Balaji

Also called fragrant screw pine in English, mugali puvvu in Telugu (the petals are called mugalirekalu ) In Hindi and Marathi it is kewdais one of the most fascinating and fragrant flowers in nature.  It is regularly used in hair style decoration for Navratri kanya.  When we were young it was used quite often for bridal braid decoration as also for festivals and other functions. Traditional bridal decoration | Navratri decoration | Varalakshmi Nombu decorations Remove the outer thorny layers.  Careful because they can prick. As we go inside the layers become thinner and slender Remove the petals of the flower Cut the bottom of a petal with a pair of scissors Cut elements that are dovetail shaped Cut the pointed end at the top A collection of petals cut is ready as shown in the image below Sew with a fine needle and thread because the petals  are delicate and can  tear. Sew both sides so that the petal  elements ho...

Naalu kaal pinnal | Naalu kaal jadai This is a traditional hair style , beautiful and simple also. The images below take us through the steps .As usual take three plaits after combing the hair Split the right side plait into two Take one part to the left beside the centre plait Next split the plait on the left into two and take one part to the right of centre Simple traditional hairstyle for function One of  the many easy traditional hairstyles  This process is repeated again and again till will we complete.As shown in the photo below " the two plaits on the right and left are split into two and one part taken to the other side " These two photos below show the side view of the plaits being made This shows the close up view After completion.  Some call it the pooran pinnal in Tamil  ( pooran is centipede which has a large number of legs ) . Indians traditionally wear long hair and this is one more simple hair style tha...

Traditionally, bridal decoration and bridal hair decoration is an important part of celebrations of weddings.  There are many traditional hair styles and hair decoration ideas for brides. I will share some of them.   Actually, these hair styles or hair accessories were used also for Navratri alankaram of young girls a few decades back.  I am sharing some of the traditional poo jadai alankaram online through my blog so that these ideas that I think I have become rare can once again be practised for decoration  Hopefully they will become the latest poo jadai designs! Poo jadai model - a simple design These flower decoration or flower garlands can also be used for offering to God or Goddess for Puja.  Since I have used to offer it to Lord, I have made it with hands.   Some follow this method by tying the thread or string to the toe.                                   ...