Why, knowing this, you’ll never deface a kolam

Why, knowing this, you’ll never deface a kolam




One of the most shared video clips this week shows a young man in baju Melayu and songkok defacing a kolam at the KPJ hospital in Klang.

After seeing the action of the man, I’m left wondering if some of us have lost the common sense when it comes to dealing with cultures, religions and traditions that differ from ours.

After seeing the reaction of people I’m left wondering if Malaysians have become too sensitive when it comes to racial, religious or cultural issues.

I’m also wondering if we, as a society, have failed to inculcate a sense of respect in young people for the different cultures, religions and traditions that exist in Malaysia.

In the clip, a man is seen moving around and defacing a colourful kolam which had been drawn at the hospital in celebration of Deepavali, the festival of lights. Someone else is taking a video while a voice can be heard saying “vandalism”.

Police later detained the man and the person who recorded the incident after they surrendered themselves at the Klang Utara police station.

KPJ Healthcare Bhd has since apologised to the public for the action of its employee, saying it does not condone such acts and that the incident does not reflect its values and practices. It said the man had been suspended from work pending an internal investigation.

We should not blame the hospital for the action of this staff member.

We should also not generalise this episode and see it as a reflection of the attitude of Malays. My Malay friends are saddened by, and disappointed with, the action of this man. In fact, several Malays took to social media to condemn his action.

Some Indians were naturally aghast and asked what would have happened if a non-Malay had shown disrespect to some tradition or religious belief of the Malays.

While I disagree with the action of the man and feel he needs counselling in good manners and be taught to respect others, I also feel that we should not overreact.

One reason is because the kolam is temporary. After a day or a certain period – when its significance is appreciated by those viewing it – the kolam is cleared up. It also gets stepped upon accidently.

I read news that Bukit Aman police are handling this matter now. What the man did, I feel, was an act of stupidity. I do not think he intended to create discord among the races and, therefore, a severe warning from the police should suffice.

His employers should be allowed to take whatever disciplinary action they deem fit for tarnishing the image of KPJ Healthcare.

Also – and this is another reason I feel the man should be pitied rather than punished with a criminal charge – if we want to talk about causing discord or disharmony, worse things have been said and done by some others, especially certain politicians and preachers. And despite public protests and the lodging of police reports, no action has been taken against them.

In fact, public intellectual Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi recently questioned the “stern action” taken against the individuals involved in the kolam incident but not against prominent figures with similar transgressions in the past.

Tajuddin noted that the same level of prompt and assertive action was not applied to Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Md Nor or PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang for their past actions. And he is not the only one who has asked if some people are seemingly above the law.

Coming back to the defacement of the kolam, why did the man in the video clip do what he did?

We can say it is due to upbringing or education or peer influence or the influence of extremist preachers or offer some other reason.

I think people show disrespect to other religions and cultures simply because they have little or no knowledge about the significance of these religions and cultures.

If, for instance, this man knew the reason Indians drew the kolam, he would not have done what he did.

Let me briefly state its significance.

Kolam (pronounced kohlam/koelam, with the accent on koe) means form or beauty.

The kolam is usually drawn on the ground at the entrance of the house after the spot has been cleaned. On festival days, kolam are also drawn in certain parts of the house. They are also drawn in the compounds of Hindu temples.

Today, the kolam is part of Deepavali decorations at malls and offices too. It is a sign of welcome. It is not just to beautify the home or premises but also embeds an important lesson: seek beauty, and work to beautify the space around you, wherever you are and whatever you do.

Traditionally, rice flour or finely ground rice powder is used to draw the kolam. This is because one of the intentions behind the kolam is to feed birds and insects. Why? It’s because one of the five daily sacrifices (yaagam) or practices that a Hindu is enjoined to do is to feed people or other living creatures.

It is a lesson in coexistence with others, and with nature.

That is why rice flour is used. I have observed ants moving in and out of the rice kolams drawn in front of my house, carrying away bits of the rice flour; I’ve also seen sparrows peck at them.

There are different geometric patterns for different occasions such as a marriage, birth or to welcome guests. Looking at some of these patterns, anthropologists with a mathematical bent say mathematics is intrinsic to them.

Among traditional Tamil families, the kolam is drawn daily, except when something inauspicious, such as death, occurs. In this sense it serves to indicate to neighbours and others when a death has occurred, or some other function is being celebrated.

In the days before the construction of the present types of houses in towns and cities, the kolam was drawn on the sand at the entrance of the house and served as an appreciation of the Earth which was, and still is, seen as mother. In rural areas, this is still the practice.

Although it is drawn on cement or tiled floors these days in urban areas, it still reminds of the connection between the occupants of the house and Mother Nature and the cosmos.

In Malaysia, few women, or men, take the trouble to draw the kolam daily although they do so on festive occasions. Today, most don’t know about the variations for different occasions.

Today, too, coloured rice is a favourite, especially inside houses and in malls and commercial properties.

The kolam also signifies renewal. When drawn on a daily basis, the changing patterns remind the occupants and visitors to the house of the need for renewal in themselves. A birth is a reminder of renewal as are festive occasions such as marriages and religious festivals.

In being drawn and removed, drawn and removed, the kolam serves to also remind us of the transitoriness of life and that whatever happens, we should move on and continue performing our dharma or duty as beautifully as we can.

Importantly, the kolam is a sign of auspiciousness and prosperity and it is a silent prayer for anyone seeing it to be blessed with auspiciousness and prosperity.

Now, would anyone intentionally deface a kolam after knowing all this?

That is why I call again for lessons on the cultural practices of Malaysians of all ethnicities to be included in the school curriculum. It is one of the best ways to build understanding and harmony.