Kolam designs have been tradionally handed down to the younger generation by the elders.  Today, several organisations and magazines conduct kolam exhibitions & contests to revive the interest in traditional habits & customs.  There are enthusiasts who create fresh new designs, but kolams are basically redrawn by the public following the designs taught by elders or printed in books & magazines.    
 
Kolams reproduced on paper and applied on the ground 
    

 
 
Queries, common doubts on Indian customs & their explanation   
 
Mark on the forehead, application of mehendi 
    
 
 
 Traditional beauty treatments have been handed down by word of mouth and practice down the generations in India. Quite a few of the methods and prctices followed by our elders had a very scientific and rational base with a major usage of items that we use everyday in the kitchen, (like milk, turmeric, curd, gram flours, etc..), leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds & the bark and roots from plants (like hibiscus leaves & flowers, henna leaves, baadaam, etc.) All of these items were widely used to beautify but also to maintain and condition the body. Each of the beauty aids has the required moderating effect. Today, the use of natural items in food, beauty treatment, medicine is gathering momentum with a lot of herbal products in the market.    

In this section, we are also planning to provide info on the traditional practices used by Indians to decorate their homes, most of which have become part of everyday life.   
  
Quite a few of the traditional methods and practices handed down to us had a very scientific and rational base 
- with items that are in everyday use 
- easy home preparations 
 

Besan  Castor Oil
Green gram Flour Coconut Oil
Shikakai Kajal 
Chandanam Kumkumam
Sambraani Turmeric
Mehndi 
     
 
 
 
Related Links   
 
"India is the largest producer and consumer of Tea. Tea is the second most commonest drink next to water. Inspite of being the largest producer, India only accounts for 14 % of world exports of tea. Everything else is gulped with in India ! 
  
Whether its that Fragrant Nilgiris or the Champagne of tea Darjeeling or the Malty Assam - Indian teas are world famous and getting even more popular as the gourmet tea market gathers pace" says Ken the teaman. 
Visit his website dedicated to tea - www.romancing-the-tea.com 
 
    
 
 
Sri Sumukhi Rajasekharan Memorial Foundation - "Mylapore Trio"   
 
The Foundation contributes towards enriching Indian art and culture in Mylapore (Chennai) through children, youth & elders by inculcating in them Value based Culture, Tradition & Heritage programmes. 
http://www.srimylaporetrio.in
    
 
 
 
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