Edible ingredients are used (in Kolams) as it acts as a source of food for ants, birds and small critters. It represents harmonious co-existence, and this is in hopes of welcoming Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Prosperity. With her entrance, it is believed that it will ward off evil spirits.” explains Amrita Vohra, 20.

Kolams are geometrical designs part of the south Indian tradition. It is a daily ritual for a woman of a southern-indian household to hand-draw a Kolam – or Rangoli in Northern India – on the foreground of a house. It is a talisman that brings luck and deters the presence of evil spirits.

The usual ingredients include rice flour (in different colours), colouring dye, flower petals and an assortment of condiments to enhance the kolam design. Sometimes, diluted rice paste is used as the Hindus believe that it signifies longevity. Inspirations come in many forms, some of which are magical motifs like fishes and birds.

However, in this day and age, Kolam is a rare sight as it is tedious work.

“It(hand-drawn kolam) is very hard to find these days as it takes a lot of time and effort. We have to squat there for hours, and according to tradition we have to draw it every day. Some families still have them during festive season, but now most of us just buy the ready drawn ones from little India.” says Sharon Sivagami, a 68-year-old housewife.