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<p>Thirty-eight-year-old Bala Murughan Parani Kumar grew up watching his mother and grandmother draw kolams every morning. Before long he fell in love with this traditional art form and began creating his own designs.</p>
<p>Forced to give up his job in a bank after being diagnosed with a nerve-related health issue about a year ago, Bala used his time at home to pursue his passion of kolam-making.</p>
<p>Then he began entertaining thoughts of entering the Malaysia Book of Records. After months of practising, Bala perfected his technique and speed and secured a place in the Malaysia Book of Records for the most kolams drawn in a single day.</p>
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		</style><div class="robo-gallery-wrap robo-gallery-wrap-id1984327 robo-gallery-" ><div id="rbs_gallery_69580153747db-block-loader" class="rbs_gallery_69580153747dbSpinner"><div class="rbs_gallery_69580153747dbRect1"></div> <div class="rbs_gallery_69580153747dbRect2"></div> <div class="rbs_gallery_69580153747dbRect3"></div> <div class="rbs_gallery_69580153747dbRect4"></div> <div class="rbs_gallery_69580153747dbRect5"></div></div><div id="robo_gallery_main_block_rbs_gallery_69580153747db" class="robogallery-gallery-1984327" style="width:100%;margin:0 auto;  display: none;"><div id="rbs_gallery_69580153747db" data-options="rbs_gallery_69580153747db" style="width:100%;" class="robo_gallery  "><div class="rbs-img  category1984327 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Bala lays out all the materials he will need before creating the kolam." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-1.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 1"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-1.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 1" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Bala lays out all the materials he will need before creating the kolam.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1984327 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="To make the colourful powder used for the kolam, Bala gently passes limestone powder through a sieve to remove any particles and to create a fine powder." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-2.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 2"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-2.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 2" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">To make the colourful powder used for the kolam, Bala gently passes limestone powder through a sieve to remove any particles and to create a fine powder.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1984327 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="To create coloured powders, a few drops of acrylic paint are added to the white powder and mixed by hand. This process has to be done at least three days before drawing the kolam as the powder must be completely dry." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-3.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 3"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-3.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 3" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">To create coloured powders, a few drops of acrylic paint are added to the white powder and mixed by hand. This process has to be done at least three days before drawing the kolam as the powder must be completely dry.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1984327 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="The limestone powder (left) right after being mixed with acrylic paint appears to be in clumps. Once completely dried after three days, the powder (right) is fine in texture." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-4.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 4"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-4.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 4" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">The limestone powder (left) right after being mixed with acrylic paint appears to be in clumps. Once completely dried after three days, the powder (right) is fine in texture.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1984327 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="To ensure the colours of his kolam are vibrant and stand out, Bala mixes a few dashes of glitter into the powder for that extra shine." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-5.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 5"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-5.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 5" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">To ensure the colours of his kolam are vibrant and stand out, Bala mixes a few dashes of glitter into the powder for that extra shine.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1984327 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Bala says that prepping the powders before drawing the kolam takes time and patience as the powders have to be sieved a number of times to ensure all particles are removed and it is at its finest texture.  " ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-6.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 6"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-6.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 6" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Bala says that prepping the powders before drawing the kolam takes time and patience as the powders have to be sieved a number of times to ensure all particles are removed and it is at its finest texture.  </div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1984327 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="To begin his design, Bala first covers the entire board with the base colour. He uses a sieve to spread the coloured powder evenly all over the board." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-7.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 7"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-7.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 7" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">To begin his design, Bala first covers the entire board with the base colour. He uses a sieve to spread the coloured powder evenly all over the board.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1984327 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="When drawing his kolam design, Bala uses various ‘tools’ to help as a guide. " ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-8.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 8"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-8.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 8" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">When drawing his kolam design, Bala uses various ‘tools’ to help as a guide. </div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1984327 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Bala prefers to put the powder in a bottle with a nozzle as this helps control the amount of powder that is used. It also helps him create more precise lines." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-9.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 9"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-9.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 9" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Bala prefers to put the powder in a bottle with a nozzle as this helps control the amount of powder that is used. It also helps him create more precise lines.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1984327 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="When designing the kolam, Bala lets his creativity run free and prefers to create a design without following a sketch. " ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-10.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 10"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-10.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 10" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">When designing the kolam, Bala lets his creativity run free and prefers to create a design without following a sketch. </div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1984327 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Each line is dusted with powder again to ensure it is perfect. To correct any mistakes, Bala uses the base powder to go over what needs to be corrected or defined." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-11.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 11"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-11.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 11" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Each line is dusted with powder again to ensure it is perfect. To correct any mistakes, Bala uses the base powder to go over what needs to be corrected or defined.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1984327 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Bala enjoys using many different coloured powders to make his kolams colourful and vibrant." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-12.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 12"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-12.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 12" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Bala enjoys using many different coloured powders to make his kolams colourful and vibrant.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1984327 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox=" One kolam usually takes between two to three hours to complete. However, Bala has been practising for months and is now able to complete one intricate kolam in as little as 10 to 15 minutes." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-13.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 13"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-13.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 13" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content"> One kolam usually takes between two to three hours to complete. However, Bala has been practising for months and is now able to complete one intricate kolam in as little as 10 to 15 minutes.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1984327 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Once completed, Bala adds decorative items around his design. Each design is usually left in its place for a few weeks." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-14.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 14"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-14.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 14" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Once completed, Bala adds decorative items around his design. Each design is usually left in its place for a few weeks.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category1984327 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="In January, Bala entered the Malaysia Book of Records for most kolams drawn in a single day. For the record, Bala created 36 kolams in 10 hours." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-15.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 15"  data-width="800"  data-height="500" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Bala-Murughan-15.jpg"  title="Bala Murughan 15" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">In January, Bala entered the Malaysia Book of Records for most kolams drawn in a single day. For the record, Bala created 36 kolams in 10 hours.</div></div></div></div></div><script>var rbs_gallery_69580153747db = {"version":"3.2.1","id":1984327,"class":"id1984327","roboGalleryDelay":1000,"mainContainer":"#robo_gallery_main_block_rbs_gallery_69580153747db","loadingContainer":"#rbs_gallery_69580153747db-block-loader","loadingContainerObj":"rbs_gallery_69580153747db-block-loader","columnWidth":"auto","columns":1,"resolutions":[{"columnWidth":"auto","columns":1,"maxWidth":960},{"columnWidth":"auto","columns":1,"maxWidth":650},{"columnWidth":"auto","columns":1,"maxWidth":450}],"descBox":true,"descBoxClass":"rbs_desc_panel_dark","lightboxOptions":{"gallery":{"enabled":true,"tCounter":"%curr% of %total%"}},"facebook":true,"twitter":true,"pinterest":true,"vk":true,"overlayEffect":"direction-aware-fade","boxesToLoadStart":12,"boxesToLoad":8,"waitUntilThumbLoads":1,"LoadingWord":"Loading...","loadMoreWord":"Load More","noMoreEntriesWord":"No More Entries","horizontalSpaceBetweenBoxes":15,"verticalSpaceBetweenBoxes":15,"lazyLoad":1,"wrapContainer":"#robo-gallery-wrap-rbs_gallery_69580153747db","filterContainer":"#rbs_gallery_69580153747dbfilter","loadMoreClass":"button-flat-primary button-large "};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://cms.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/robo-gallery/js/robo_gallery_alt.js"></script><link id="gallery" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://cms.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/robo-gallery/css/gallery.css"><link id="font" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://cms.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/robo-gallery/css/gallery.font.css">


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Artist breaks record by drawing 36 kolams in one day

Bala Murughan makes it into the Malaysia Book of Records for most kolams drawn in one day.