Floating Kolam Artwork | Golden Sands Resort, Penang
The biggest Floating Kolam Artwork entry into Malaysia Book of Records is a joint effort by Shangri-La’s Golden Sands Resort, Penang, the Penang Hindu Association (PHA), The Temple of Fine Arts, and Inti International College Penang.
In conjunction with Deepavali or Diwali, this community project introduces the beautiful art of the Indian Kolam.
Contents
What is a Kolam Artwork?
Kolam (கோலம்) is a South Indian style of painting. The art uses rice flour, chalk powder, or white rock powder with colored powders.
A traditional Kolam is a geometrical line drawing composed of circles, curved loops drawn with a grid pattern of dots.
Brightly colored, complex, and attractive Kolams are the draw for festivals like Deepavali.
A banner for the largest floating kolam in the pool
The Kolam Peacock Design
In Hinduism, the peacock symbol carries portents of Nobility, Holiness, Guidance, Protection, and Watchfulness. The peacock is a symbol of integrity and beauty.
A hundred volunteers worked together relentlessly to create the masterpiece.
The team spent 19 days planning the artwork from start to end.
A total of 117 hours!
It was a mammoth task to coordinate.
The project started with 47 pieces of styrofoam cut into various shapes and sizes to form the base.
Volunteers colored 87 bags of desiccated coconut flakes weighing 435kg.
The styrofoam board was assembled in the resort’s largest free-form swimming pool to turn into a 638.02 sq m canvas.
The volunteers scattered 5,000 bulbs of fresh pompon chrysanthemums flowers to float in the swimming pool.
Their effort to create the beautiful kolam within a kolam (meaning swimming pool in Malay) is applauded.
The beautiful ‘kolam’ of a giant peacock looked resplendent.
A group of men in a swimming pool assembling the Kolam.
A group of women dancing
Joyous Celebration
Shangri-La’s Golden Sands Resort’s hotel manager, Noel D’Couto, said the project was a joint effort of the community of volunteers working together.
It is unprecedented in the resort’s history and a proud moment for everyone who took part.
“Coming together as a community, with unity and teamwork, is priceless. The volunteers came together for such a meaningful cause.
This will be a memorable experience for everyone as they prepare for the coming Deepavali celebrations,” he added.
Present were PHA chairman V. Palanisamy and Penang Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa, and Golden Sands Resort general manager Elaine Yue-Wibisana.
Golden Sands Resort, Penang by Shangri-La, earned an entry in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) with the largest floating ‘kolam’ in Malaysia.
Malaysia Book of Records Certification for the Kolam
The marshals and the designers checked and ensured all the pieces were in position and conducted minor touch-ups and add-ons (if necessary) to the “Kolam.”
Officials from Malaysia Book of Record confirmed the attempt and ensured all specifications and measurements are correct based on the details of submission and application.
The amazing feat was certified by MBOR deputy general manager Mohamad Alex Edward Jamuh Abdullah.
Golden Sands Resort earned an entry in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) for constructing The Largest Floating “Kolam” in Malaysia, a week ahead of Deepavali celebrations.
A traditional ‘tabla’ or Indian drum and classical Indian dances were performed to celebrate the successful MBOR attempt.
The project cost RM25, 000. The kolam was displayed until noon before it was removed.
The resort’s communications director, Suleiman Tunku Abdul Rahman, said the desiccated coconut flakes would be reused for other projects.
A violinist and table musician performing during the event.
Close up of a floating kolam of a peacock with lotus flowers
The ‘S’ Shangri-la logo is floating in a swimming pool.
Another view
View of the kolam in the swimming pool with a reflection of the sky above
Biggest Floating Kolam Artwork Project Data
Design: Featuring a peacock with a crown and the ‘S’ logo of Shangri-La, lotus flowers, and fresh pompom chrysanthemums
Materials: 87 bags of desiccated coconut flakes weighing 435 kg;
37.9kg of sticker glue
47 pieces of polystyrene and
5,000 bulbs of fresh pompon chrysanthemums
Method of preparation
The peacock design is drawn on large pieces of styrofoam board.
The desiccated coconut flakes are colored and dried. Volunteers glued the desiccated coconut onto the styrofoam board.
The boards are assembled in the swimming pool. This is touched up as necessary.
Marshals and designers to check and ensure all the pieces are in position and conduct minor touch-ups and add-ons (if necessary) to the “Kolam.”
- Preparation Venue: Shangri-La’s Golden Sands Resort, Penang’s car park
- Installation Venue: Largest free-form pool in Shangri-La’s Golden Sands Resort, Penang
- Time: 117 hours (10 days planning the artwork and nine days of executing)
- No of Participants: 100 volunteers
- Volunteers: Shangri-La’s Golden Sands Resort, the Penang Hindu Association (PHA), The Temple of Fine Arts, and Inti International College Penang.
- Number of Attempts: One (1)
Certification of the Kolam Artwork
Officials from Malaysia Book of Records: Mohamad Alex Edward Jamuh Abdullah and Nurasyikin Ramli
Time start: At 8.00 am, volunteers start assembling the styrofoam pieces in the pool.
Completion time: 11:30 a.m.
The crowning of the peacock and assembly of the Shangri-La’s Logo marks the completion of the Biggest Floating Kolam Artwork.
This amazing feat was certified by MBOR deputy general manager Mohamad Alex Edward Jamuh Abdullah.
Display Time: 10am until 12noon
Project Cost: RM25, 000
An aerial view of the floating kolam of a peacock in the swimming pool
Shangri-La Golden Sands, Penang
Jalan Batu Ferringhi, Kampung Tanjung Huma, 11100 Batu Ferringhi, Pulau Pinang
Phone: 04-886 1911
The floating kolam was awesome. Wished I could have seen it in person. Thanks for sharing. Wonderful written article. Informative and interesting.
Thanks for reading!