During British rule, no one “discovered” Nazi affiliations in those who drew 'swadeshi' kolams to support the nationalist cause. This month, Tamil women registering peaceful kolam protests were accused of Pakistani connections
The recent spate of kolams (rangoli) in Tamil Nadu protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act and National Register of Citizens, reminiscent of grandmothers’ tales of charkha-centred “Gandhi flag” kolams, showed how ordinary citizens can transform an everyday art form into a potent socio-political weapon.
Back in the day, “swadeshi” kolams were drawn with the customary white and orange border, but decorated with green leaves to signify support for the nationalist cause. Dissent was sedition in the British Raj, but no one “discovered” Nazi affiliations in those who drew those kolams. It was left to free India to accuse Tamil women registering peaceful kolam protests of Pakistani connections.
Back in the day, “swadeshi” kolams were drawn with the customary white and orange border, but decorated with green leaves to signify support for the nationalist cause. Dissent was sedition in the British Raj, but no one “discovered” Nazi affiliations in those who drew those kolams. It was left to free India to accuse Tamil women registering peaceful kolam protests of Pakistani connections.