Kerala is a state located in south west region of India on the Malabar Coast. Kerala is beyond doubt

Transcription

1 Kerala is a state located in south west region of India on the Malabar Coast. Kerala is beyond doubt the obscured India. It is God's own country and an attractively stunning, bright green fleck of land. Kerala is a lengthy extends of enthralling foliage. The lofty striking coconut palms lead the backdrop. It has a diverse verity of traditions and culture. Kerala, India being a lush green and naturally beautiful state has a rich tradition of worshipping nature in the forms of rivers, hills and land. Kerala's natural beauty and wildlife has always been an integral part of the cultural tradition of Kerala, India. As a malayalee,i thought I should research about coconut tree leaves.how it is used in Kerala in different culture, traditions etc. When I started I got a lots of knowledge about these leaves which influenced me to search more. Keralam, the name is derived from two words kera and alam. Kera means coconut tree and alam means land of. Therefore keralam means land of coconut trees. From the name itself we can understand the role of coconut tree in kerala. So here my research is starting with a story explaining the origin of coconut tree in hindu mythology.from there it explain the importance and leaves and how it is used in different caste and communities and in arts and culture and finally in day today life.

2 A Hindu Mythological Story Explaining the Origin of Coconut tree: Trishanku, the son of Prithu was a king in Solar Dynasty. The Dynasty of the great Hindu god Rama.King Trishanku was a saintly man whose great desire was to ascend bodily in to heaven. And he requested his Guru Vasishta to perform the needful rites to achieve this goal. But his Guru refused it because it was against the laws of nature for someone with a mortal body to enter the heaven. Trishanku was so depressed upon his Guru s refusal.so he approached the sons of Vasishta to help him to achieve his desire. The request of Trishanku in spite of refusal by their father angered the sons and they cursed Trishanku with a debilitating disease. Hence Trishanku was forced to leave his country and wander the lands. During his wanderings Trishanku met sage Vishvamithra, and he explained his desire and the troubles he faced,sage Vishvamithra who was a rival of Guru Vasishta accepted Trisanku s request and agreed to perform the rituals required to send Trishanku to heaven with a mortal body. The rituals began and by the power of great sage, the king Trishanku started ascending to the heaven. The Devas came to know about this unnatural occurrence and under the leadership of Indra decided not to let Trishanku enter the gates of heaven in this mortal self. Indra using his power caused Trishanku to fall back to earth. Vishvamitra saw Trishanku hurtling downwards and he used his power to arrest the fall. As Indra would not let him ascend into heaven and Vishwamitra would not allow him to come down, Trishanku became suspended between heaven and earth. Folklore has expanded this mythological story to explain the origin of coconut tree: Vishvamitra knew that Trishaku would eventually fall in to earth unless held up by physical means, so he propped him with a long pole.the pole eventually turned into a coconut tree and Trishanku s head became its fruit. The fibre around the coconut is Trishanku s beard. When you take it off, you see his eyes peering at you. KALPAVRIKSHA: In Sanskrit, the name for the coconut palm "Kalpa vriksha", which means "the tree which provides all the necessities of life" or "wish-fulfilling tree".kalpavriksha is a mythological wishfulfilling divine tree said to fulfill all the desires. Kalpvriksha has many spiritual, religious and environmental values. It's a divine tree on the earth planet. Hence every part of coconut tree is used,it is considered as a kalpavriksha in india. Tall, slender, majestic with open umbrella of fronds at the top, the coconut palm-also known as the Kalpavriksha-dominates many Indian landscapes, in particular, Kerala. Coconut forms an integral part of the state s cuisine, culture and livelihood. There is a saying that there are as many coconut trees in Kerala as stars in the sky.

3 Kerala is believed to be a Malayalam portmanteau fusing kera ("coconut palm tree") and alam ("land" or "location"). Every part of the coconut tree is used. Coconut water, a refreshing drink, is directly sipped from the unripe fruit, the grated and dried copra is used to thicken sauces, and the oil extracted from the fruit is a popular frying medium. Palm sugar or jaggery is made from the juice extracted by cutting young stems of several palm species such as the coconut palm, the palmyra palm, and particularly the kittul palm. The coconut sap can also be fermented to yield toddy, an alcoholic beverage. The shells are used to make handicraft objects, spoons and ladles, leaves are dried to remove their veins for making brooms, and the jute-like material from the nodes is used as a material for lining. In kerala, during the time of festivals the whole temple,the way to the temple, the houses near to the temple etc is decorated with this tender coconut leaves. (rituals and puja, 2013) the reason behind decorating the temple premices with tender coconut leaves,it actually symbolically represent as barriers which restrict the entry of evil spirit to that area. COCONUT LEAVES: The coconut palm produces a crown of pinnately compound yellow-green leaves called fronds. Each frond reaches 15 to 17 feet in length.the leaves are used in 3 types, tender form,normal and dried form. In kerala only lower community people(male) climb coconut tree and the females do the weaving in coconut tree leaves, these people normally works for higher caste people. Figure 1: Men climbing coconut tree Figure 2: Men climbing coconut tree Photo: Pradeep, 2011 Photo: Pradeep, 2011 (Murali, 2013)Now a days traditional coconut climbers are less in number, generations of these traditional coconut climbers are not following their traditional job, because they are getting lower income, now a days government offers training for climbing coconut tree for both men and women and they developed machines for climbing coconut trees

4 Figure 3: coconut leaf weaving Figure 4: coconut leaf weaving Photo: saly panikar, 1993 Photo: priyanka, 2012 The leaves of coconut tree are used for different purpose in normal life, the women used to weave these green and dry coconut leaves for various purpose, but these weaved coconut leaves don t have much life span so they has to be changed once in an year. Because of these new chemicals are available in market to increase the life span and prevent the leaves from decaying. (ambika, 2013)Now days women are not interested in weaving, they are depending on readymade material available in market for shelter. These coconut leaves are now used for generating fuel for household purpose. (bindu, 2013)Coconut leaves are plaited and used for thatching houses and sheds in rural areas. It is also used for thatching 'honeymoon huts' and such huts in town and cities. Technology is available with Regional Research Laboratory, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala for extending the life of leaf thatch from one year to four years. Plaited coconut leaves are also used for making baskets, headgears and for erection of temporary fences. Plaiting of coconut leaves is a cottage industry in traditional coconut growing states. Midribs of leaves are used to make brooms of different types, which are used for cleaning rough grounds and floors. Brooms of midribs of coconut leaves are manufactured on a commercial scale in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Usage of coconut leaf in different Religion: Kerala is famous for coconut trees and it is widely available in Kerala, it is used by different religion and culture in many ways. Coconut, leaves, shell, flower etc. most part of the coconut tree is used in kerala. This has symbolic meaning according to the Hindu mythology and Christian. Hindu culture:

5 According to Hindu culture most part of the coconut tree is used for most of the rituals and puja s. but the coconut leaves are not used so they use it for decorating and it has a medicinal value,it purifies the air. So it is widely used in Hindu culture. It also restricts the entry of evil spirit. The coconut tree is given a special place in most Hindu households and great care is taken to nature the tree. In the southern part of India, it is a must for every household to plant coconut trees. There is a popular saying, "Water the plant for five years, reap coconuts for life". The coconut is used for all religious purposes. Infact, it represents the main "sthapana" of any pooja. The whole pot filled with water, mango leaves and coconut, also known as "Purnakumbha" is a symbol of Goddess Laksmi or Fortune and the coconut represents divine consciousness. To break a coconut in the beginning of any event is considered to be very auspicious. Coconuts are offered in Temples to worship to various Gods and Goddesses. The fruit is also believed to represent Lord Shiva and the three black marks on the coconut shell, symbolizes his eyes. (namboodiri, 2013)Once in puranas during the puja to restrict the entry of evil,a saint named Vishvamitra created coconut tree, so the leaves actually represent coconut tree. Figure 5: coconut leaf hangings Figure 6 :Bird made of coconut leaf Photo: Priyanka,2013 Photo: Priyanka, 2013 Figure 6: Coconut leaf hangings (thoranams) Figure 7: decorations in temple with tender leaves

6 Photo: priyanka,2013 Photo: khasarkod.com Figure 8: Coconut leaf decorations in temple Photo: Priyanka,2013 Christain Culture: In kerala christianity has a great tradition, Christian festivals are celebrated in a big way in the land.they also use tender coconut leaves in their rituals.palm Sunday,Hosana ijayar (Hosana Sunday),Ash Wednesday are some of the festivals they celebrate and they use these coconut leaves.during these rituals its observed with utmost reverence and special services are held on the day in churches across the State. Devotees attend the prayers holding tender coconut palm leaves (kuruthola in Malayalam) and hence the festival is called Kuruthola Perunnal. In several churches ceremonial processions are taken out. Story behind Palm Sunday: On the morning after the supper at Bethany, Jesus called two of his disciples and said to them, "Go into the next village, and at a place where two roads cross, and there you will find an ass tied, and a colt with it. Loose them, and bring them to me. And if anyone says to you, 'Why do you do this?' say 'The Lord has need of them,' and they will let them go." They went to the place, and found the ass and the colt, and were loosing them, when the owner said, "What are you doing, untying the ass?" And they said, as Jesus had told them to say, "The Lord has need of it!".then the owner gave them the ass and the colt for the use of Jesus. They brought them to Jesus, on the Mount of Olives, and they laid some of their own clothes on the colt for a cushion, and set Jesus upon it. Then all the disciples and a very great multitude threw their garments upon the ground for Jesus to ride upon. Others cut down branches from the trees and laid them on the ground.

7 And as Jesus rode over the mountain toward Jerusalem many walked before him waving branches of palm-trees. And they all cried together, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord! Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" These things they said because they believed that Jesus was the Christ, the Anointed King, and they hoped that he would now set up his throne in Jerusalem. Some of the Pharisees in the crowd, who did not believe in Jesus, said to him, "Master, stop your disciples!" But Jesus said, "I tell you, that if these should be still, the very stones would cry out!" And when he came into Jerusalem with all this multitude, all the city was filled with wonder. They said, "Who is this?" And the multitude answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet of Nazareth in Galilee". And Jesus went into the temple, and looked around it; but he did not stay, because the hour was late. He went again to Bethany, and there stayed at night with his friends. These things took place on Sunday, the first day of the week; and that Sunday in the year is called Palm Sunday, because of the palm branches which the people carried before Jesus. Figure 9: Procession during palm Sunday Photo : shaiju,2000 Figure 10: Cross made out of tender coconut leaves photo : shaiju,2000 Devoties of other state and country use what leaves is commonly available,here in kerala these tender coconut leaves are easily available so they celebrate it with these leaves. Ash Wednesday: Ash Wednesday is a christian festival and it is the first day of Lent in the Western Christian calendar. Occurring 46 days before Easter, it is a moveable fast that can fall as early as February 4 and as late as March 10. It marks the beginning of six and a half weeks of repentance, fasting and abstinence in preparation for the most important Christian festival of Easter.

8 Ashes are something that are left when something is burned. For them, ashes are a symbol of being sorry for things they have done wrong and want to get rid of forever. It is also a reminder to them that we all come from ashes, and to ashes we all will return. Many Christians will attend a religious service where the ashes are blessed by the church leader, and placed on their forehead. Christians believe this marks the physical and spiritual beginning of a personal Lent season in which 40 days of repentance will begin leading up to the celebration of Easter Sunday. (jinsy, 2013) From the palm branches of the previous Palm Sunday! We take the palms, symbols of victory and celebration, and burn them to stress the austerity of the Lenten season. In churches the priest first burns the palm that have been kept from last year's Palm Sunday and then mixes the ashes of these crosses with holy water (which has been blessed) to make a greyish paste. When people go to church on Ash Wednesday, the priest dips his thumb in the paste and uses it to make the sign of the cross on each person's forehead. Figure 11: cross made of palm figure 12: blessed ashes Figure 13: burning palm Figure 14:Cross on forehead figure 15: priest making the cross on forehead

9 Photos: stgeorgesnewhamburg.com Coconut leaves- Cultural Significance: Kerala is well known for its diverse form of performing arts. The various communities in Kerala contribute to its rich and colorful culture. In most of these artforms the coconut leaves are used in one way or the other.most of the time it is used as decorations in costumes and as jwellary etc. The reason behind using this coconut leaves in these art forms id because these coconut trees are widely available in kerala.so these levaes are used for decorations.this is also used in religious ritual perfomances in different caste and communities. Art forms : Theyyam: Theyyam (Teyyam, Theyyattam or Thira) is a popular ritual form of worship of North Malabar in Kerala, India, predominant in the Kolathunadu area (consisting of present-day Kasargod, Kannur Districts, Mananthavady Taluk of Wayanad and Vadakara and Koyilandy Taluks of Kozhikode of Kerala. As a living cult with several thousand-year-old traditions, rituals and customs. The performers of Theyyam belong to the lower class community, and have an important position in Theyyam. The term Theyyam is a corrupt form of Devam or God. People of these districts consider Theyyam itself as a God and they seek blessings from this Theyyam.There are approximately 400 types of Theyyam.The very attractive features of theyyatam are its colorful costumes. The make up involves very accurate face painting of different styles and body decoration. The hierarchy of Gods, Goddesses, heroes, demons, spirits and other mythical beings is personified in the plays. The theyyams like Theechamundi, Pottan Theyyam and Uchitta the waist dress is woven out of coconut leaves as they leap in to the fire. Above the waist dress the naked body is painted with different native colour. These art form has the coconut leaves as their costumes or as accessories.they mostlly use tender coconut leaves either it will be weaven or splitted.

10 Figure 16: theyyam Figure 17: pottan theyyam Figure 18: theyya kolam Figure 19: kooli theyyam Figure 20:Theechamundi theyyam Figure 21: Pottan theyyam Figure 22: Theechamundi

11 Photos : Kerala arts.com, 2013 Padayani: Padayani, also called Padeni, (from the word for military formations) is a traditional folk dance and a ritual art from the central portion of the Indian state of Kerala. A ceremonial dance involving masks, it is an ancient ritual performed in Bhagavati temples. The dance is performed in honor of Bhadrakaali. Meaning, a 'row of warriors', Padayani is an art form that blends music, dance, theatre, satire, facial masks, and paintings. It is part of worship of Bhadrakali and is staged in temples dedicated to the goddess from mid-december to mid-may. Padayani is unique to central Travancore, comprising the Pathanamthitta-Alappuzha-Kottayam belt of Kerala. Padayani is regarded as a remnant of the Dravidian forms of worship that existed before the advent of Brahmanism.These mask are made out of palm skin and they paint it with natural coclours.and the outer side of these mask is decorated with tender coconut leaves.after the perfomances they will burn this mask and other forms and decorations Figure 23: Padayani Mask Figure 24:padayani kolam Figure 25: padayani kolam Figure 26: padayani mask

12 Seethakan thullal: This is a kind of ottam thullal but the songs and dance in this form of thullal are slower than Ottan thullal in metre and rhythm and in tempo. The dancer uses a piece of black cloth tied tightly round the head and this is circled with a band of tender, palm leaves giving the impression of a crown. Ornaments representing the full-blown lotus, made once more of palm leaf, adorn the upper arms and wrists, ankle belts, and the feet. The chest is covered with a profusion of bead necklaces and over this is tied a cross-belt. A red cloth is draped round the waist and a long length of white cloth, rather like a bandage, is looped again and again around a waist-string and fixed above this. These leaves are used for decoration as costumes and also as ornaments. Photos :Kerala arts.com,2013 Figure 27:seethan thullal Coconut leaves toys: In olden days in kerala childrens use to play with these coconut leaf toys like ball,whistle,jwellary etc.but in these generation children do not know these kind of toys.these toys were childhood favorite when people became so close to nature.for making these they have different types of foldings similar to origami.

13 Figure 28: specs made of coconut leaf Figure 29: snake made of coconut leaf Figure 30: ball Figure 31:whistle Figure 32: Wind Fan Figure 33: Watch Photos: pradeep,2011 Everyday Products With Coconut Leaves: kerala has a wide range of coconut trees and these leaves are cheaply available.so it is used in day to day life. Like shelter,baskets, crafts, mats,decoration, manure etc. In kerala the government has developed a new organisation for the development of coconut tree called COCONUT DEVELOPMENT BOARD.

14 Shelter : Coconut leaves are plaited and used for thatching houses and sheds in rural areas. These leaves are dried and then they use for thaching.but these leaves last for 1 Year and these has to be changed.but now the government had found some chemicals to improve the life expancy so it last for more than 2 years. These plaited coconut leaves are used for decorations also. And in some places they use it for covering the plants from animals and they also use that as boundary walls. Figure 34: House made of coconut leaves Figure 35: coconut leaf roof Photos: alamy.com, 2013 Crafts and Decoraions :The coconut leaves are also used for decorations,they used to make birds,hangings etc in temples,houses etc. Figure 36:Grass hoper made out of coconut leaves Figure 37: Art work in Binnale

15 Figure 38: Art work in Binnale Figure 39: Art work in binnale Photos:Muzaris-Binnale, Fort cochin Baskets and Mats: Figure 49: Basket Figure 50: coconut leaf mat Figure 51: coconut leaf Basket Figure 52: Coconut spa in coconut leaf basket Photos:pradeep,2011

16 Agriculture: Normal and dried coconut leaves are used to convert agriculture waste in to manure to grow mushrooms and earthworms. These leaves are also used as general manure which will help the agriculturalist not to use too much manure. It also helps for vermin culture. It is also used as fuel for biomass electricity. Other Uses: And these dried leaves are used for fire; in houses for cooking they use woods and these leaves for making fire. In olden days people used these coconut leaves to make fire and used it in night as a torch for traveling. On the whole coconut leaves are used in every part of Kerala in one way or the other. But these leaves are quiet famous in ancient times, the coming generation is not even going to look for these coconut leaves. And these leaves was much known to older generation because people where so close to nature and they lived in a world where they share their stuffs and all. This research has really helped me to under the importance of coconut tree and its different parts in the ancient times and helped me to understand how it is used widely. Bibliography: List of References: 1. Thirumeni, s. D. (Performer). (2013). rituals and puja. thrissur, kerala. 2. Ambika. (2013, march 27). coconut leaves weaking. (priyanka, Interviewer) 3. Bindu. (2013, march 30). krishi officer. (priyanka, Interviewer) 4. Jinsy. (2013, april 3). ash wednesday. (priyanka, Interviewer) 5. Murali. (2013, march 27). coconut tree climbers. (priyanka, Interviewer) 6. Namboodiri, d. (2013, march 14). coconutleaves in hindu rituals. (priyanka, Interviewer) List of Sites referred: hinduism.about.com/od/artculture/a/symbolism_rituals.htm

17