Pookalam Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

A pookalam made by the members of Kerala Kala Samiti during Onam celebrations in Bhubaneswar.

Pookalam is an intricate and colourful arrangement of flowers laid on the floor. Tradition of decorating Pookalam is extremely popular in Kerala and is followed as a ritual in every household during ten-day-long Onam celebrations.

'Pookhalam' consists of two words, 'poov' meaning flower and 'kalam' means colour sketches on the ground. It is considered auspicious to prepare Pookalam, also known as 'Aththa-Poo' during the festival of Onam.

People believe the spirit of their dear King Mahabali visits Kerala at the time of Onam. Besides making several other arrangements, people, especially adolescent girls prepare elaborate Pookalams to welcome their most loved King.

Making of a Pookalam

Kilo and kilos of flowers, lot of dedication, creativity, technique and team effort are the basic essential of an eye catching Pookkalam.

Athapoovu are usually circular in shape and multi-tiered colourful arrangements of flowers, petals and leaves. Use of powder colours, desiccated coconut or artificial flowers is prohibited. Pookalams are normally laid on the front court yard of the house. Idols of Mahabali and Vishnu are placed in the center of the Pookalam and worshiped. Diameter of a Pookalam normally ranges from four to five meters.

speedyturtle, xuaxo, leo61, pranab, plimrn, noborders has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

nethrafotos (376) 2006-09-13 22:00

Belated Onam greetings to you, Radeeh! Enda vishesham? Nice capture, you could adjust the contrast a little bit, I believe.

TFS

Imam

[workshop] [compare]

xuaxo (6083) 2006-09-14 7:49

That's a beautiful colorful photo and the note tell me something that I didn't know. Good work!
F

prumod (8264) 2006-09-14 11:43

hi radeeh
very nice capture... very relevant to post this one in this season... thanks for getting up my onam memories...
take care
pramod

leo61 (44300) 2006-09-14 13:38

Hi Radeeh!
A good and with your verry informative not,interesting shot.Verry nice arrangement of the blossoms,nice colors and good contrast.
Regards,Leo

pranab (5354) 2006-09-17 3:29

radeeh,
nice vibrant captuer of color with good light and detail. your note adds some more life in this composition.

rosaline (0) 2006-09-22 4:34

Hi RAdeeh
Nice picture and a wonderful array of colours. The detail is nice and the way the flowers are arranged adds some good impact to the shot. Well captured.
Aubrey

plimrn (20101) 2006-11-05 19:46

Hi Radeeh,
The arrangement of flowers is beautiful and you've captured it in swonderful detail and color. your note makes the lovely photo good learning as well.
Regards, Pat

Rupsu (15) 2006-11-20 9:37

i used to do pookalam.but i never did this type of art.this is amazing.

Emiel_Skyfreak (2976) 2006-12-21 12:57

Hi there Radeeh,
what a nice photo, very colourful. Really vibrant colours, I like that. Good composition, framing.
What is this metal thing on the left side? I think it was better to leave that thingy out the photo, as it's a bit disturbing, but that's the only element I can complain about.
Well done.

noborders (14201) 2007-05-31 1:27

Great vivid colours, interesting subject,
I'll add it to my theme, if you don't mind...
Cath.

thadeus (0) 2008-07-25 5:51

Hi Sir
wonderfull.