Kolam designs with dots (pulli kolam) are the traditional Tamil kolam, drawn by looping white rice flour lines around a grid of dots (pulli). This one uses a 9×9 grid and forms a flowing star pattern. It is 2 ft wide and takes about 25 minutes.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1
Put 81 rice flour dots in a square: 9 rows of 9 dots, about 3 inches apart.
Step 2
Starting at the centre, draw a loop that curves around the centre dot and its four neighbours.
Step 3
Keep looping outwards around the dots, never touching a dot, to form four big petals.
Step 4
Finish with loops around the outer dots so the line joins back to where it started.
Tips
- Pinch the rice flour between your thumb and first finger and move your hand steadily.
- The line should go around dots, never through them.
Frequently asked questions
What is pulli kolam?
A kolam drawn by looping lines around a grid of dots. Pulli means dot in Tamil.
Why is kolam drawn with rice flour?
Rice flour feeds ants and birds, a tradition of sharing with small creatures.
