Pastoral Kerala: Photos from Olavipe

Photos by Rejo. Copyright reserved.
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Pastoral Olavipe

More Kerala photos, from Olavipe

An overcast morning.

Coconut trees reflected on water

Crooked branch of a cashew tree.

Photos TP (Copyright reserved.) Click to enlarge.

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Kerala Photos: Reflections on water 2

Photos: Olavipe blooms

Photos: Deepam (Light)

Tropical Medicinal Plants: Thumpa, a vanishing beauty

Thumpa (Leucas aspera, Dronapushpi, Gumma Bhaji, Karukansoli, pansi-pansi, paysi-paysi, sipsipan, sula-sulasihan) is part of my childhood memories in Kerala, India. The plant can grow up to a height of two feet depending on the species. The bell-like flowers are normally white. In fact, in Malayalam, the native tongue of Kerala, thumpa flower is a synonym for pure white.

Thumpa used to grow wild all over the place. Even children knew it had medicinal value. The most common usage was in case of any skin problems. If you touch a poisonous weed or plant and there are itching and/or skin eruptions, take a few thumpa leaves, crush them in your hand and apply to the affected part. The relief is almost immediate.

The medicinal properties of Leucas aspera are accepted in all the areas where the 100 species of the plant grows (Indian Subcontinent, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, China, Pacific Islands, South America, and Africa). The main uses of the plant are in treating psoriasis and other skin conditions, painful swellings, snake bites, insect stings, and coughs and colds. It is said that a decoction made from the plant hastens menstruation.

In some countries, Leucas aspera is used as a fragrant herb in cooking. It is also a natural insecticide. In Kerala, the plant is burnt to ward off mosquitoes.

What used to grow wild in our area and many parts of Kerala started disappearing about four decades back. We found that the use of chemical manure and pesticides was the cause. About twenty five years back we shifted back to organic farming. The thumpa plants returned to the scene as you can see in the photographs I took in Olavipe.

Click on photos to enlarge. Copyright reserved.

Leucas aspera can also be cultivated commercially. Seeds can be ordered online. Dry, sandy soil and full sunlight are required. The suggested planting distance is 12 to 15 inches apart. You could also have a few clusters of Leucas aspera in your garden, either on the ground or in pots.

These are great plants to have in the vicinity residential houses.

Also see: Amorphophallus, a medicinal plant with unique flower

Heritage: Kerala High Court saves historic churches

Whichever religion one might belong to, nobody would deny that the many centuries old Twin Churches of Ramapuram, Kerala, are beautiful. And there is so much of history behind them.

The Church wanted to demolish them and build a new church. There were widespread protests including from this blog (Churches on demolition line.). Finally the Kerala Government declared them to be heritage structures and brought them under the control of Archaeology Department, thereby preventing demolition.

The Church appealed against this order to the Kerala High Court. Earlier this week the HC ruled in favour of the Government and all those believe that heritage monuments should be preserved. It is not known whether the Church will go for further appeals.

It is difficult to understand the Church policy of demolishing old structures. I don’t recall hearing about an ancient temple or mosque being razed to ground to build a new one. The money spent on new churches to replace old ones could be utilized more meaningfully.

Nearer my home, the 1791Thycattussarry Church (A historic church is no more.) has been renovated. See photos below:

Old structure.

After renovation.

A saving grace here is that the architect has managed to retain some of the ethos. But lost in the process are the ‘Mondalam’ (picture below),

and more sadly, the beautiful frescoes that adorned the inside of the old building.

The next structure in line for the Church bulldozers is the Parayil Family’s 1861private oratory at Velliara (picture below).

Naturally, we have objected.

Kerala photos: Fast changing Cochin skyline

Today's evening news on TV stated that Kerala has become unusually hot.
One of the reasons mentioned is that the high-rise buildings
that have come up in recent times are blocking air circulation.
I took these photos at Cochin about two months back.
Some greenery is still left.

More Olavipe photos by Karthiki

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Karthiki captures some Olavipe flowers

Christmas time photos from Olavipe by Karthiki

Copyright reserved. Click on photos to enlarge.

Also see
Kerala Photos: Sun shines on Olavipe

Photos: Flowers, berries

I took these photos last month in Kerala
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Kerala photos: Ponnozhukum Thodu

After reading From the Memory Box: Ponnozhukum Thodu – the stream where gold flows fellow blogger Nebu (Nebu’s reflections http://nebugeorge.blogspot.com/) was kind enough to send me some photographs of Ponnozhukum Thodu. He was passing by the stream and took these pictures with his mobile phone camera. Thank you, Nebu. You don’t have to be apologetic about the quality of the photos. They are good enough.

Incidentally, Nebu is a regular contributor to the ‘Time Out’ feature of the New Indian Express.

According to Wikipedia, The Ponnozhukum thodu, ‘flows through Elikkulam, Mallikassery, Vilakkumadam, Edamattom regions and joins the Meenachil near the Shree Krishna Swamy temple, Bharananganam’. I have not found out where it originates.

The walkway to the stream. On the left are teak plants.

Another view of the walkway.

View downstream. The Thodu looks narrower than I remember.
Obviously the reason is the granite retaining walls
which were not there earlier.

View upstream.

This is what used to be the private bathing ghat.

The water still looks clear though rather stagnant.

For me Ponnozhukum Thodu is a stream of memories.

Photos: A coffee mug and two ashtrays

Photos by me. Click to enlarge.
Also see:

Kerala kitchen – some implements of the past

Photos: Flowers from Peermade

Kerala photos: A man sized taro plant

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I took these photos (copyright reserved) of ‘chembu’ (Colocasia) at the residence of Mr. AL Thomas at Cochin. I wonder how big its roots would be when harvested.

The leaves and roots of this tropical tuber are widely used for culinary purposes in many parts of the world. According to UN statistics, Nigeria, Ghana, China, Cote d’ lvoire and Papua New Guinea are the major producers with a combined output of 9.2 million metric tons in 2005.

Taro leaves are a good source of vitamins and minerals. They contain Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Niacin, manganese, potassium and copper. The corms contain high portion of starch and dietary fiber.

The range of recipes using taro is vast – from snacks to curries to burgers. Some of the sites which provide details are given below:

http://www.hawaii.edu/hga/Lessons/maui98/TARO/trecip.htm

http://fooddownunder.com/cgi-bin/recipe.cgi?r=25908

http://www.newkerala.com/recipes/Indian-Recipes/Kerala-Special-Recipes/Taro-Curry-Recipe.html

http://showmethecurry.com/2008/09/01/crispy-seasoned-arbi-taro-root-indian-snack-recipe/

http://www.revver.com/video/1135911/crispy-seasoned-arbi-taro-root-indian-recipe-video/

Taro root.
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Also see:

Photos: Vegetables for Onam

Kerala photos: Butterflies of Olavipe