Rangoli/kolam powder/maavu
Submitted by Manju47 on Tue, 2010-04-13 17:30
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Hi,
I would like to know how to make rangoli/kolam powder/maavu. The place where I live in does not have powder in stores. Can u guys help me?
Lata
Tue, 2010-04-13 18:39
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Have you tried using the sand that is available in the craft stores? I don't know where you live, but we do have experience working with sand bought from craft stores like Michaels (a chain-craft store in CA, where I live). They are not ideal, but that is what is available, and it gets the job done.
You could try using rice flour. Use the one with a slightly coarser texture, and not the flour that is too smooth to the touch. I have used the rice flour that we use to make items like "kozhukattai" (steamed dumplings made of rice flour, and stuffing of one's choice). Once you get used to the flour, you could try mixing food colors to the flour in order to make them colored. This tip comes from another member (Mrs.Rajamma). Do let us know what works for you. Better yet, how about uploading your samples here for all to enjoy?
sjnt
Wed, 2010-04-14 02:45
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If podi is a problem in ur area, then soak raw rice for an hour, grind to a fine paste with little water, pour it in a steel plate or any other wide vessel, keep in sun for a couple of days, it will become flakes. Dry well and keep in a box. When needed, take a little flakes . mix little water and make a paste and try maakolam. It will stay for somemore time than a podikolam.-If u have a microwave, u can dry the maavu in it {try with a little maavu first], if ur place is not sunny.