iKolam Karnival Bengaluru members meet - second half session

After the tasty sumptuous meal (still can’t resists those gulab jamoons ), got to talk with the eldest lady guests, distant ajjis (grannys) of Sudha/ Lakshmiji. It was great to have a nice chat with them and they were happy to know that we are doing such a grand event based on kolams. She said, "yeno huDuga neenu rangoli haakutheeya?" (oh boy you too draw kolams?). There were some more songs from the kolam members. Padma Prakash sang the modified version of famous “Nimbe GiDa” bhaava geethe penned by B.R.LakshmaNa Rao (one of the famous writer in Kannada). She made it full reverse from the original, but was really good one. I think she made this for lady’s dayout only :). As I had also promised to sing, tried my best to get “PavaDisu Paramaathma” correctly, I know there were few misses, hope nobody caught me :). I think I need to get more training from Ajji and Satishji.

There were two more surprise calls from Jayamohan and Judy, again the phone went ringa ringa roses. It was great talking to them and wish to them meet in our next events.

Ajji (Lakshamma LakshmaNa Rao) was with full enthusiasm and said let me also have my share and drew out a big free hand kolam and asked us to be part of it by coloring. That was amazing, at her age do we ever think of being so. We are thankful to God who has given us an opportunity to live with these gems. We co-related her activities with mOhanaji’s Rangoli story heroine (Chikkamma). Rajammaji also shared another interesting story when she went to Jayanthiji’s house. At that time Jayanthiji was just 3 yrs old and both her father and grandfather lawyers helping an old woman to get back her property. Rajammaji came to know this lady is good kolam artist, and she asked her to teach. The lady’s eyes sparkled as she started drawing and teaching. The kolam had wiped of all her tears of sorrow and had given a new charm to her. That’s the true spirit and effect of art brings to us. Rajammaji thanks for sharing such a touching story. When we asked ajji to teach more, she said she can share her book, but don’t forget to return it back, I am sure all of us have that possessiveness towards our art treasures. While we all were coloring her rangoli, she sang a beautiful devaranama without any breaks, she had such a vibrant voice and it was crystal clear. Ajji, we were honoured to meet you and good takeaways from you. Your selflessness and serving everything to the God is great. Definitely we would like to meet you again and again. Satishji became a child and said Ajji, I want to learn these songs, teach me all of them. Sir we would also love to learn provided the time permits. May be alteast two songs for the year? Let me see whether I can make it. Padma Prakash once again came up with another beautiful bhaava geethe “Ede Thumbi haaDidenu” penned by G.S.Shivarudrappa and music by Mysuru Ananthaswamy. This song could be co-related to Ajji’s way of life and her inclination towards kolams.

In meantime Ajji inspired another aunty to draw rangolis. Oh my God, she drew such a nice Krishna holding pot of butter, it was mesmerizing. There was Hanuman and Gaurda too….and if the kolapudi was more smother then it would be picture perfect. Aunty & Ajji, thank you soooo much.

On the other hand Jayanthiji was getting ready for her Quilling session, while we were singing and chatting. She had made all the base petals. Showed and explained how to roll the paper strip on the Quill needle and carefully removing it and pasting on the card. She modified those quilled circles to form petals and leaves and made a beautiful greeting card and was gifted to our host Sudha. Jayanthiji had got her Journal of Art to share with us and Indu madam with her kolam collections. Clicks went on when the pages were turned over and over, so we have the soft copies on them in our collection. Both of them can safely take their treasures back :). Indu madam had got a fully loaded bag with kola pudi and want not, it was a kolam treasure case

It was Lakshmiji’s turn to demo on water & under water kolams. Ajji was little surprised and said are you really doing it? Is water really there? She was very curious to see this. Lakshmiji explained so nicely and showed how to spread talcum powder and then draw on it. Ajji was wondering haa that’s how the house gets the good room freshener. Ayyo what is this? the powder which is used to put on face and you guys are wasting it on water? Suddenly there was a reply, Ajji we will shop in place where we get buy one get one free….Vidhya said can I only get the free one please? Questions Questions rolled over and over again, but Lakshmiji answered them with patience and a neat nera mele kolam was ready. Then she also showed how to make neera keLage kolam too. Definitley these rangoli’s needs lot of patience and we know the patience level of Lakshmiji and that’s how she gets them quite neat and natural. Lakshmiji thank you soo much.

Our hosts got us nice kuramkuram koDubales and pedas, our eyes on the demos and mouth munching these savories with nice coffee. I was wondering did they ever had their lunch? They were so busy helping us with more and more dishes/snacks to eat and would have definitely forgotten themselves

Evening was coming close and we still had photoshop demo waiting. Ramya had left with her Mom, MIL and sister and then Rajammaji, Vidhya were getting ready to leave as they had to travel a long way back to home. Eventhough I was on their way I wanted to stay back to watch the demo. Vidhya was teasing and she said, ‘I know why you don’t want to come with us ;)’. Pavan showed us how to draw using the pen tool and some queries on image resizing by Padma. Jayanthiji who was ready to leave with her chitti stayed back as we opened up the photoshop. She could not resist staying back. We got to hear some witty expansion for the word WIFE from Raghuji and Jayanthiji had one good answer back I know they were giving hints to me, Sir/ Madam thanks for the knowledge share

After all left, I spent some time with the our Star1 Singer and Pavan, who wanted to learn more Origami. We again made the Neel Kamal and then the famous Origami Crane. When I said we will make Crane, Pavan was thinking of the crane which is used in the construction site or in that shipment yard he visited... I could see question mark on his face when I said this part will make wings, this will be neck and tail Must be wondering whether I am using different words of crane parts. When we finally made it, waaaaah…this flying crane?

One more thing we missed was flower tieing. I was only one who could get some steps from Lakshmiji at the end. Hope to make all the missing ones next time. Wish we had 16hrs for the day.

It was a great event, got to know many of our team members… the silent spectator Ramya, fast learner Rajitha, the masters Rajammaji, Induji, Pushpaji, definitely the Granny (she can definitely be the principal of kolam college), cool singer Padma Prakash, the bubbly chatterbox Vidhya, curious eyed Rajeeshiram, silent learner Ushaji, cool singer Satishji who is nicely paired with humming bird Naliniji, the perfect hosts Sudha, Sandhya sorry could not get much time to chat more with you all, talented Lakshmiji and last not but the least Raghuji full of great humor & jolly.

Time to say good bye (I think its compressed form of “God be with you”) to all our hosts. I was great support from them. Many Many thanks to Prameelaji, Sudha, Sandhya, Lakshmiji, Raghuji, Pavan, Vivek. Thank you sooo much.

Lata, thanks a ton for bringing us all together.

…..where to meet next, its at Kundalahalli, Rajammaji has already invited us for the next event all we need to is decide the dates :)... See you all very soon (will continue to chat in iKolam)…..take care, bye for now.

Next ...picture collage on the way.