The pongal panai (pot) is the heart of the festival. This Pongal pot kolam shows a decorated clay pot on a three-stone stove, with turmeric leaves tied around its neck and sugarcane behind. It is 2 ft wide and takes about 40 minutes.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1
Draw a large round clay pot with a wide neck.
Step 2
Draw rice bubbling over the top, a turmeric plant tied around the neck, and three stones under the pot.
Step 3
Draw two sugarcanes crossed behind the pot and orange flames between the stones.
Step 4
Fill the pot brown with red and white kolam patterns, the turmeric leaves green, the flames orange and yellow, and outline in white.
Tips
- Draw white kolam patterns (dots and loops) on the pot to make it festive.
Frequently asked questions
What is pongal panai?
The clay pot in which pongal (sweet rice) is boiled until it overflows, a sign of plenty.
