Culture is a source of identity and creativity. It is pre-requisite for human development. It is a system of values, norms and behaviors that a society develops over the course of many generations and it has profound influences on the social behavior of people in their everyday lives. A strong cultural identity is fundamental and can make a positive contribution to the health and overall wellbeing of a community. The objective of this article is to demonstrate the importance of culture in community building and to analyze how Kolam, a south Indian art form, enhances community spirit and pride as it creates joyous occasions for socialization, fosters greater harmony and contributes to the development of mutual respect and tolerance. The author has taken Mylapore, Chennai as her case study in analyzing and assessing the role of communities in preserving and retaining its identity and uniqueness of its local culture.