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Generating various kolam patterns using new kolam picture grammar

Article  in  International Journal of Internet Technology and Secured Transactions · January 2018

DOI: 10.1504/IJITST.2018.093384

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Int. J. Internet Technology and Secured Transactions, Vol. 8, No. 2, 2018 209

Generating various kolam patterns using new kolam

picture grammar

Ramya Govindaraj*
School of Information Technology and Engineering,
VIT University,
Vellore-Tamil Nadu, India
Email: engr_ramyaa@yahoo.com
*Corresponding author

Anand Mahendran
School of Computer Science and Engineering,
VIT University,
Vellore-Tamil Nadu, India
Email: manand@vit.ac.in

Abstract: Kolam is an artistic creation. It is a ubiquitous art form predominant

in South India, while also seen in a few places in northern India and South East
Asia. Kolam holds a rich tradition of cultural and medicinal significance.
Kolams are generated using kolam grammar. This paper consists of set of rules
which is used for manipulating kolam patterns under defined rules using axiom.
It is enclosed under defined alphabets used for creating kolam patterns. We can
generate many kolams with n number of pullis (dots) with finite number of
rules.
Keywords: formal theory; picture languages; kolam pattern; kolam grammar;
kolam picture language.
Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Govindaraj, R. and
Mahendran, A. (2018) ‘Generating various kolam patterns using new kolam
picture grammar’, Int. J. Internet Technology and Secured Transactions,
Vol. 8, No. 2, pp.209–220.
Biographical notes: Ramya Govindaraj received her BTech in IT from
Adhiparasakthi College of Engineering, Anna University, India in 2006 and
MTech in IT from VIT University, India in 2009. Her subject interest includes
picture language in formal theory, web applications, networking. She has
published more that 15 papers in international journals. She is currently
working as a Senior Assistant Professor at School of Information Technology,
VIT University, Vellore, India.
Anand Mahendran received his PhD in Computer Science and Engineering
from VIT University, India, in 2012, ME in Computer Science and Engineering
from Anna University, India, in 2005, and BE in Computer Science and
Engineering from VIT University, India, in 2003. His research interests include
formal language theory and automata, and bio-inspired computing models. He
has published more than 20 papers in international journals and refereed
international conferences. He is currently working as an Associate Professor at
the School of Computing Science and Engineering, VIT University, Vellore,
India.

Copyright © 2018 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

210 R. Govindaraj and A. Mahendran

1 Introduction

‘Kolam’ is a south Indian art mostly seen in Tamil Nadu. It is used for decoration
purpose in temples and house courtyard. It is mostly drawn by women using lime
powder, rice flour during any occasions (Ramya and Anand, 2016). The term kolam
defines beauty and pertains to improvement of precision, symmetry and creativity. It is a
history or culture lesson on a rice flour. Kolam designs are treated as examples of
two-dimensional picture languages. ‘Kolam’-Beauty, It is the heart of the art in Tamil
civilisation which is customary all systems go decoration handed entire from fierce times
in South part of India. The steep artistic action of each one graphical process has attracted
and aroused man or woman of learning inquisitiveness (Yanagisawa and Agata, 2007).
From many generations the drawing of this kolam has been continuing. It can also be
told as a type of string pattern. The examples of 2D picture languages are the kolam
designs. These designs belong to south Indian folk art. Context Free Grammar (CFG)
generates most of these kolam patterns. We have two procedures for the generation of
kolam. An array grammars consisting of finite primitives of terminals be able to produce
kolam patterns. The second method is generating label dots using array grammars. After
generating labelled dots using array grammar we give some finite simple rules which to
construct kolam pattern on label dots framework (Siromoney et al., 1999).
This change in the capacity to encode and depict kolam designs utilising a profound
and expandable successive vocabulary opens up various novel research potential
outcomes. Ethnographic experience demonstrates that there are further kolam motions,
including extensive circles not displayed here, and regularly outside of the framework of
dabs itself (Gaudreau, 1985). They have shown a technique for creating innumerable
kolams generated by n number of dots that has been presented on the surface. This
strategy can be learned by anybody without the need to comprehend the core arithmetic
behind kolams (Gaudreau, 1985).
In presented here another sort of exhibit P-system called S/P rectangular array P
framework in view of 2D grid sentence structures that is called matrix grammar. We have
shown the appropriateness of these frameworks for kolam design era. One of the issues
that needs additionally study is the base number of layers required for era of kolam
examples examined.
The sequential rectangular array and parallel rectangular array P systems has been
introduced. These systems are more potent when we compare with two-dimensional
matrix grammars, also it cannot generate the kolam patterns. In Subramanian et al.
(2006), they evaluated the components and drawing tenets of kolam examples. The
technique to change over kolam designs into numbers has been displayed. Kolam
examples can be digitalised relying upon the shapes at the convergences of the slanted
lattice which are dictated by array of points. It is likewise conceivable to change over
numbers into examples in a turn around process. Applying this technique for straight
outline to the ‘Diamond Carpet’ (Waring, 2012). They uncovered that it comprises of a
few littler examples composed in rotational symmetry, and separated a basic example
considered as its model. Kolam designs have such a reasonable and fascinating plan
framework, that is to state, innumerable different one-stroke examples can be drawn after
amazingly straightforward components and a couple of basic drawing rules. Elements of
Kolam examples have prospects to be connected to different regions, for example, toy,
city planning. Pullis(Dots) are playing a important role in kolam patterns. For generating
 Generating various kolam patterns using new kolam picture grammar 211

kolam design, numbers of pullis are main element. Arrangement of dots should be
properly aligned, then only we can get good and proper kolam designs. Kolam has been
used represent proteins in a simplified manner. In case if we use this kolam pattern, it
makes user to understand the difficult protein folds very easily.
In this paper, we formulated the kolam rules which are to be used to form many
kolam patterns. Algorithm also has been defined for producing kolam pattern. We can
use either kolam rules or algorithm to generate the n number of kolam patterns.

2 Preliminaries

Order of the kolam means the order of the matrix of the kolam in terms of square tiles
and not the alphabets. Here the alphabet set consists of some following rule set. For
instance, R1C1l-R2C1s-R3C2r is an alphabet. The point we start implementing our rule
is denoted as R1C1(R means row, C means column), i.e., it is now row number 1 and
column number 1. l means left. Here, the curve must be in left hand side. Now, we have
drawn a curve at left in row number 1 and column number 1. Next rule is R2C1s,
(s means straight), i.e., we are now moving the pattern in a straight line in row number 2
and column number 1. Same way, R3C2r is drawn where ‘r’ implies the curve must be
drawn at right side now.

Figure 1 Alphabet set (see online version for colours)

212 R. Govindaraj and A. Mahendran

Figure 1 Alphabet set (continued) (see online version for colours)

 Generating various kolam patterns using new kolam picture grammar 213

Figure 1 Alphabet set (continued) (see online version for colours)

214 R. Govindaraj and A. Mahendran

Figure 1 Alphabet set (continued) (see online version for colours)

 Generating various kolam patterns using new kolam picture grammar 215

Figure 1 Alphabet set (continued) (see online version for colours)

Same way, R implies right, D implies down, S implies semi, U implies up, B implies
blank space, d implies drop, c implies circle, SQ implies square tile, H implies half. Px
implies pixel. ‘1Square=1px’, A implies axiom, C implies column and R implies row,
IR => Immediate Right, IL => Immediate Left, LM => left most, RM => right most.

3 Topical kolam grammar

A latest form of kolam grammar can be represented by a 8-tuple,

G (P, T, I, O, 6, A, C, CS)

where
P Is defined as a finite number of places, it starts with p1 till px where x > 1.
T Is defined as a finite number of transitions, it starts with t1 till tm where m > 1 and,
P ∩ T = Null.
I Is defined as the input function in the transition which will be in the finite number of
places, T → P.
O Is defined as the output function in the transition which will be in the finite number
of places, T → P.
A Is defined as Axiom is used to manipulate kolams using collages. It is the centred
axiom in a square tile.
C Is defined in a square tile, axiom is centred. C implies left context, right context,
upper context, down context around an axiom. A and C, together consists of a square
tile of 1px, which is used in for the concept of collage. C can be alone 1px excluding
axiom which varies according to the desired patterns.
CS Is defined as collage symbol is the square tile consisting of axiom A and context C.
A ∪ C = CS.
216 R. Govindaraj and A. Mahendran

3.1 Kolam picture language

From the kolam grammar we can generate the kolam language. We can define any
number of rules. Here we represented 30 rules totally to generate the kolam patterns.
Kolam patterns can be generated by using these rules. If we follow the algorithm, we can
generate kolams with u number of pullis(Dots). But, the same type of kolams only can be
generated (Ramya and Anand, 2016).
Algorithm for generating Kolam:
x Problem: Generating a kolam using kolam grammar rules.
x Inputs: All finite set of rules which includes set of dots.
x Outputs: Finite set of kolam patterns.
Start => D|C
1 Rules( )
Add(D|C) [optional]
If(cd){multiple()}
=> multiple(complete)||move()||multiple(current_design)||stop()
multiple(current_design)
{
Update and store = recent;
If(cd) => add(current_design, recent) endif
n = repeat(n, the way) => optional
Update and store = complete;
m = repeat(4, 9) => optional
Update and store = complete;
=> multiple(complete)||move()||multiple(current_design)||stop()
}
multiple(complete)
{
Update and store = complete;
m = repeat(4, 9)
Update and store = complete;
=> multiple(complete)||move()||multiple(current_design)||stop()
}
If(stop())
{
If(order==(n,n))
stop
endif
endif
}
 Generating various kolam patterns using new kolam picture grammar 217

Case 1: creating top most row

d1, d2, d3, d4 are patterns made from Σ, B and c belongs to Σ. Here, our axiom is c.
Upper context is d4, right context is d1, left context is d3 and down context is d2.
Together, it comes as a square tile of 1px. Hence, d1, d2, d3, d4 actually looks smaller
than its original 1px size of square tile each. We denote this collage symbol as F
(Siromoney et al., 1973).

if σ (T) ^lmB n d3, rmB n d1, d4 n F` ,

where
lm is leftmost
rm is rightmost.
The array is followed as,
d3 F d1
B d4 B
d3 F d1
B d2 B

Here, the top most rows are created as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 Generating row (see online version for colours)

3.2 Generating right column

From the same set of alphabets, we can generate the inputs as followed.
B d4 B
d3 F d1
B d2 B
218 R. Govindaraj and A. Mahendran

If σ (T) ^tmB o d3, bmB o d1, d1 o F` ,

where
tm is topmost and
bm is bottommost.
The result array is as followed as,
B d4 B d4
d3 F d1 F
B d2 B d2

Here, right most columns are created as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3 Generating column (see online version for colours)

4 Manipulating methods

4.1 Replace
Here, our axiom is c. Upper context is ds1, right context is ds2, left context is ds4 and
down context is ds3. Together, it comes as a square tile of 1px. But as i mentioned in
grammar definition, context can be extended upto 1px. Hence, ds1, ds2, ds3, ds4 actually
looks its original 1px size of square tile each. We denote this collage symbol as F1, where
ds1, ds2, ds3, ds4 implies the kolam designs generated by Σ.
1 When (SQ == null)
{
this → SQ = F1;
}//can be done by finding position
Where SQ implies square tile.
Now, the replaced one looks like,
 Generating various kolam patterns using new kolam picture grammar 219

Figure 4 Manipulated kolam using replace method (see online version for colours)

Here, orange and brown colour indicates: rules: 11–14, pink indicates: rules: 3–4, blue
indicates rules: 19–20, dark green indicates rules: 1–2, light green indicates rules: 5–8.
The depicted kolam is an odd dimension (the order of matrix should be odd). The kolam
is complete when the dimension is odd. Here it is 5 * 5. It can be extended to any matrix
size of odd rows and columns (n * n).

4.2 Modify the generated rule

When (IR(F1) == NULL)
{
Insert(F1 → IL(F1))
}
When(IL(F1) == NULL)
{
Insert(F1 → IR(F1))
}
When(match(“/F1F1/”))
{
If(IR(F1F1) == blank && IL(F1F1)! = given dimension)
{
Insert(F → IL(F1F1))
}
If(IR(F1F1) == blank && IL(F1F1)! = given dimension)
{
Insert(F → IR(F1F1))
}
}
 220 R. Govindaraj and A. Mahendran

Now, according to the above condition the following kolam pattern is shown in Figure 5.
In this way, we can redefine kolam patterns of some design to multiple ones by defining
our appropriate rules. We can delete, add, modify according to our desire with proper or
appropriate rules.
Figure 5 Manipulated kolam (see online version for colours)

5 Conclusions

Ancient art form, the so called ‘kolams’ has been created using sequential and parallel
generation by row rule and column rule in this paper. These interesting kolam patterns
are derived from array grammars here, which is the easiest way to generate any type of
kolams patterns. Hence, manipulating kolams using replace method and setting own rules
have been done. The derived kolam algorithm is used for generating same type of kolam
patterns. We can introduce n number of kolam rules to manipulate the n number kolam
pattern with different design. Extension of this work, collage grammar also can be
included to manipulate new set of kolams.

References
Gaudreau, M.A. (1985) ‘Unexpected ramifications of knot theory’.
Ramya, G. and Anand, M. (2016) ‘Survey on various classes of picture languages’, International
Journal of Applied Engineering Research, Vol. 11, No. 8, pp.5376–5381.
Siromoney, G., Siromoney, R. and Krithivasan, K. (1973) ‘Picture languages with array rewriting
rules’, Information and Control, Vol. 22, No. 5, pp.447–470.
Siromoney, R., Subramanian, K.G., Dare, V.R. and Thomas, D.G. (1999) ‘Some results on picture
languages’, Pattern Recognition, Vol. 32, No. 2, pp.295–304.
Subramanian, K.G., Saravanan, R. and Robinson, T. (2006) ‘P systems for array generation and
application to kolam patterns’, Coference Proceedings.
Waring, T.M. (2012) ‘Sequential encoding of Tamil kolam patterns’, Journal of Forma,
Vol. 27, pp.83–92.
Yanagisawa, K. and Agata, S.N. (2007) ‘Fundamental study on design system of kolam pattern’,
Forma, Vol. 22, pp.31–46.

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