Story #2Kolams

1. A MODEL is a thing imitated or reproduced
   TO MODEL means to shape or fashion an imitation

We model things because they are beautiful, and we want to touch the beauty ourselves.
Or, because they are interesting, and we want to understand.
Or, because they are both interesting and beautiful.

2. KOLAM means pattern in Tamil. Kolams are both interesting and beautiful.

This kolam is by @danielmiyares from The Boy Who Dreamed of Infinity:

3. To make any sort of model - by hand, by equation, by computer - you first need to know the rules that determine it.

Observe these 3 x 3 pulli (or dot) kolams.
What rules determine their forms?

4. Here is one rule you might deduce:
Every dot or pulli must be enclosed.

But then wouldn’t this work, too?
Do you need another or better rule?

5. Once you make a rule try to see what it would look like if the rule were broken.

Rule: Never trace a line for any distance along the same route. Broken Rule: See in red.

6. Once you have a set of rules, try drawing all possible kolams that follow your rules:

(a) around two dots
(b) around three dots
(c) maybe around four?

7. Did you make some patterns that don’t look like kolams? Do you need to revise your rules?

8. Our eyes and hands are good at making models. We are natural artists, natural modelers. See if you can model or imitate this kolam drawn by @danielmiyares

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9. But, if you want to teach a computer how to model this same kolam, it is much harder.

With no eyes or hands, the computer needs very good and clear rules. The rules you made are just a beginning.

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10. And I wonder if you wrote down this rule:

All paths must begin and end at the same place.