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• 1 media/Flower1.jpg 2019-03-19T07:18:59-07:00 The Flower of Joy : Palash 7 By Mimi Biswas image_header 2019-03-19T07:55:55-07:00

  
  Have you ever seen a flower which is synonymous to joy. It is the flower of ‘Palash’ as it is named in our West Bengal, India. It is a flower that blooms in spring. A season filled with life and Beauty and the flower ‘Palash’ authenticate the idea of vivacity and joyous nature of Spring. The significance of spring is reinforced with ‘Holi’- the most celebrated festival of colours.
  

  In India we celebrate ‘Holi’ as to celebrate the coloures of life. In Santiniketan, where the noble Laureate Rabindranath Tagore lived this flower becomes eponymous to Spring at the time of holi. Our souls intermingles with each other as the colours mixes as in rainbow, It is a symbol of togetherness. It diminishes the difference between the caste, creed, religion, age, gender- it is a celebration of life.

  A species of Butea, Butea Monosperma is native to tropical and sub tropical parts of the Indian Subcontinent and south east Asia ranging across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia. it is a small midsized dry season deciduous tree. The leaves are pinnate, the flowers are long, bright orangelike red bloomed in racemes; the fruits comes in broad pods.

  From thousands of years it has been used in ‘Ayurveda’. It has the cure for several diseases, including some skin problems, it is because of this the powdered form of Palash petals as we call it ‘Abir’ is mainly used in playing Holi. It contributes to the economy in several ways. It is used for timber, resin, fodder and dye.

  It is indispensable from our culture and rituals of India. The expressions of the tree as a form of ‘Agni’ or Fire, its dried branches are one of the main components of performing the ‘Yagna’ or the Fire Ritual. In Buddhism it is said to have used as the tree for achieved enlightenment or Bodhi, named as ‘Medhankara.

  The soft buds of Palash sends us the message of the coming of the Spring as in Shelley’s words “ If winter comes can spring be far behind”. As the flower grows to be a bunch of Flame, the youthful exuberance of nature succumbs to the sensuous world and we all celebrate the vibrant colours of nature. It is that point of time when Humans become Natural true to its utmost Colours (Core).