The star shaped spice is called anise or takkOlam. It is used in some rice dishes.
It has the active ingredient in the drug for influenza. The picture may be seen here.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/IMG_1076aw.jpg
Regards! - mOhana
mOhanaji,Sir, nice to know that a male member is guiding ikolam members with constructive criticism/comments.
(The spice anise is used by Sahana in her groundnut shell kolam.)
rAjammAjI namastE /\
I am one of those who want more women in mathematics and engineering and more men
in dancing and rangOli. Knowledge has no barriers. In fact, it is very kind of
you all to take my comments seriously. That shows how broadminded you all are.
Regards! - mOhana
In reply to Squares inside square are by rajamma_2