The Cultural Tapestry of Slots in Tamil Society The social fabric & agrarian past of the region serve as the foundation for the historical significance of slots, also known as "kolams," in Tamil cultursattta-king.come. Kolams are traditionally elaborate patterns drawn on the ground in front of residences, temples, and public areas using rice flour, chalk, or other natural materials. These patterns are used to welcome visitors and invoke divine blessings in addition to being decorative art. There are references to the centuries-old Tamil literature and inscriptions that demonstrate the practice of making kolams.