Come monsoon, and distributors in North India dot the streets with jasmine garlands and gajras. Within the southern states, jasmin is usually woven with “Kanakambaram” or the firecracker flower, with contrasting “venis,” or garlands of delicate orange, inexperienced, and white flowers, and leaves.
The identify Kanakambaram has its roots in Sanskrit; “kanak” means gold and “ambaram” means ray. Often known as “Aboli” in Maharashtra and Goa, it’s usually mistaken for the fragile pink oleander or “Kaner”.
In North India, the yellow number of these flowers––referred to as “Priyadarshini”––is extra generally discovered. In some components of the world, it’s known as “Orange marmalade,” owing to its tangerine-coloured petals.
Whereas vibrant flowers like Amaltas or “Kanikonna” dominate the pageant season in April and Might, Kanakambaram, together with jasmine and pink oleander, paints southern India with hues of peach, pink, and white.
Throughout a latest journey to Tamil Nadu’s Kanchipuram and Cuddalore districts, I noticed the ethereal great thing about this flower. In Kanchipuram, I noticed girls weaving flowers into garlands for adornment. Distributors occupy their areas exterior the Vishnu temples of Kanchipuram early within the morning.
Distributors skillfully weave yellow chrysanthemums, jasmine, pink and purple oleander, rose, lotus, kanakambaram, and even tulsi into garlands with fondness and pace. A few of these garlands had been meant to be provided on the temples, whereas many, like jasmine and the orange/yellow clusters of kanakambaram had been meant to be worn by girls as hair jewels. In lots of circumstances, small equipment and hairpins had been additionally being bought close by.
With its calming hue and radiance, the kanakambaram is a well-liked alternative for bridal decor and put on. It’s generally woven into wedding ceremony garlands, including to the festive spirit of weddings. Shobhita Dhulipala, as an illustration, wore a kanakambaram garland on her wedding ceremony day, superbly complementing her apparel.
Horticulture and floriculture play vital roles in farmers’ livelihoods in South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu. The kanakambaram turns into particularly useful throughout peak wedding ceremony and pageant seasons. On common, these flowers promote for Rs 1,000-1,200 per kg. Throughout the Varamahalakshmi pageant in Bengaluru this 12 months, experiences indicated the worth reached ₹3,000 per kg. This 12 months, in keeping with experiences, the flower was priced at Rs 3,000 per kg through the grand celebrations of Varamahalakshmi in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Realising its huge potential, analysis students in Prayagraj have efficiently cultivated the flower regardless of various climate circumstances, a lot to the delight of ladies and farmers. In Goa, this pleasing peach “aboli” is the state flower, and efforts have been made to revive and preserve floriculture round it.
Whereas many use synthetic garlands emulating the color and magnificence of Kanakambaram, more and more, bridal decor and jewelry are manufactured from pure flowers, thus contributing to sustainable vogue.
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