About Grace Gitadelila

‘Grace was raised in Pondicherry and lives for many years now in Auroville. Her mother used to run an embroidery studio where work was given to the local women to support their livelihood.

Grace grew up surrounded by the culture of the local Tamilians, and naturally started to draw Kolams from childhood.

At one point, she began to seek more knowledge about the kolams, and realized that there were no publications dedicated to the topic. She has decided to take it up on herself, and is currently working to write a book on the theory/principles of Kolams.

She also teaches Kolam, dance, and yoga with her own approach to these practices.

With Grace, we attempt to draw a kolam using lines which interconnect around the dots.

I witnessed women draw these with ease at the Kolam competition, but you quickly realize that it is not as easy as it looks.

Unless you stay with the awareness of the shapes, the lines get lost midway, and you find yourself searching for the point for your line to meet.

Grace confirms that this is the practice. To observe and think things from multiple angles.

Especially for women, she believes that kolams in itself was a tool of educating them.

With Grace’s help, I managed to connect my lines to create a form.  And as I trace the completed geometry with my finger, I get a sense of energy flowing smoothly through me. Engulfed by a drowsiness as if after a massage, I can hear Grace in the distance, “Kolam is a reflection of your inner self”.’