Colourful kolam art attracts tourists, visitors

KUALA LUMPUR: Tourists and visitors at a top city centre shopping mall here were excited to see the large rangoli kolams ( colourful kolams) featured in conjunction with Deepavali celebration next Wednesday.

The huge colourful kolam at the Pavillion KL centre court that was 7.62 metres in diameter was infused with robust coloured rice grains to boast intricate patterns of the different symbols of Deepavali such as elephant, lotus and peacock.

A tourist from Denmark, Peter Harrmark, 36, said it was his first time seeing the traditional decoration and he was amused with the fineness of art.

“At first, I didn’t expect it was made from rice, I know Malaysia will celebrate Deepavali this month but I never expected to find this ( kolam) at a shopping mall. I thought I needed to go to a temple or some specific place to have the opportunity,” he told Bernama yesterday.

Ellise Cullen, 23, from Australia said she felt lucky to visit Malaysia during the celebration month to have better chance of exploring local cultures here.

“I went to India last year during Deepavali and a few other festivals so I can’t wait to see how Malaysians celebrate it,” she said.

Meanwhile, Pavilion KL general manager ( marketing) Kung Suan Ai said it aimed to be a platform for culture and arts that could reflect the Malaysian identity as well as enliven the celebration of all festivals in Malaysia.

“Deepavali is a festival that celebrates the beauty of light and brings us all together… the celebration brings Malaysians from all walks of life and races together in a beautiful and harmonious way,” she said.

The kolam was designed by over 100 Limkokwing University of Creative Technology students and displayed from yesterday until Oct 23. — Bernama