வட்டம் · drawn on a 5 × 5 pulli grid
Vattam · The ring
Dot grid
5 × 5 pulli
Difficulty
Beginner
Draw time
About 3 minutes
Best for
First-time kolam makers
A kolam of pure curves. One large ring encloses the grid, a smaller ring holds the centre, and four petals bridge the space between them. Because there are no corners to square off, Vattam is the most forgiving design for a first attempt with rice flour, and the one that flows fastest once your wrist relaxes.
How to draw it
- 1
Place a 5 × 5 grid of dots.
- 2
Draw one large circle enclosing the whole grid in a single motion.
- 3
Draw a smaller circle through the middle ring of dots.
- 4
Loop a petal outward at the top, bottom, left, and right.
- 5
Circle the four corner dots, then finish with the centre bindu.
Tradition note: kolams are drawn at dawn on a washed threshold and swept away by evening. Rice flour is the traditional medium, so the drawing doubles as food for ants and small birds.