MELAKA: A father of three was the star attraction for being the sole “thorn among the roses” at a kolam drawing competition at a shopping mall in Bachang here on Sunday (Nov 5).
Mohd Faizal Mohd Nor from Semambok Perdana here took an hour to complete his intricate piece during the event organised by the Melaka Indian Women Affairs and Development Association in conjunction with Deepavali.
The 39-year-old project engineer said he decided to participate in the event as a Malaysian and to embrace the multicultural festivities of the country.
“On Saturday (Nov 4), my children took part in a Deepavali fashion show at a different venue and today I am here for this event,” he said when interviewed on Sunday (Nov 5).
Mohd Faizal brought along his three children, aged from four to eight years old, to help him in crafting his kolam.
“I had to babysit them and decided to bring them along with me,”he said.
Mohd Faizal said it was the first time he had attempted to design a kolam and took about 90 minutes to complete it by filling the design with coloured rice and oil lamps.
“It took me a few days to know how to colour the rice and I learned the art of making the ancient art form on YouTube before signing up for the competition.
“It turned out to be a fun-filled event for my family and enlivened the Deepavali atmosphere at the mall,” he said.
Mohd Faizal said he plans to take part in more such events in the future after he learns to create more colourful and vibrant kolam.
“Hopefully, I can craft the most beautiful and attractive kolam one day,”he added.
The association’s chairman S. Sivapragasam said some 40 people took part in the competition this year.
He said the participants, who are from different ethnic groups, were asked to create kolam associated with the Deepavali celebration.
Sivapragasam said participants took hours to complete their kolam, ranging from various geometrical patterns, curves, motifs and designs.
He added that kolam is an ancient art with a history spanning thousands of years and is known for its bright and vibrant colours.
