The Tale of Three Trees 01: The Banana Tree's Saga !

Fondly called as Vazhai maram is one of the most promising tree variety for the people(farmers ahem!) of South India. Most of us don't know beyond this or wouldn't have noticed much, few of us think that a vazhai maram is just a maram! That's definitely not!

Vazhai Maram (Banana Tree)

Right from Welcoming people for a Kalyanam (wedding) till serving the mouth-watery dishes on a uniformly perfect Vazhaelai for its guests, a typical Vazhai has so many responsibilities bestowed on it! A wedding without the influence of a Vazhai is just impossible!

Vazhai maram kept at the entrance of a home during a function at their home.

When I asked people about what all came to their mind when they hear about a 'Vazhai maram' , most of then told banana, some were like "nothing much(..?!?!)", few said Vazhaelai and the others could relate that they can be found almost every where in TN. 

Sorry in advance if you can't connect to the following joke!
One epic memory of a banana is this, 
"Onnu inga irukku innum onnu enga!        Athane ithu!!"  A classic one from Goundarmani and Senthil! It's  here!

A screenshot from the scene!

Neva mind! Read on!
1. Vazhai Poo
No its not a flower that beautifies you! It is a part of South Indians' diet where they intake it as Poriyal (Side dish served in medium quantity). It is a sour dish that is said to have various medicinal qualities that does so much good to our stomach!
When you peel the pink coloured part, you will find small flowers that is actually used for cooking.

Vazhai Poo Poriyal.

Cleaning a Vazhai poo is indeed a skill. Maybe if you ask your mom she will tell more stories than what is written over here! Don't forget to ask!

The actual Vazhai Poo that is to be cooked.

2. Vazhai Thandu.

Okay so what is this. It is the inner stem of the Vazhai maram that can be made as Poriyal, juice or whatever dish you wish to try with it, quiet flexibile you know! It is said that this is enormous in fiber content.

The inner part of the Vazhai maram's stem.

3. Vazhai Kaai.

Its raw banana used for making many dishes. Avial a kerala based dish that is highly based on Vazhai kaai.

Apparently, Vazhakaai Bhajji is the first thing that strikes us first when thinking of  a raw banana!

Vazhai kai or raw banana.

4. Vazhai Pazham.

This doesn't need an intro, it is something that is very famous from the family of vazhai. Every special occassion begins with the presence of a Vazhai Pazham.
I have something to say here, Nutrients are bascially classifies into essential and non essential. You don't have to worry about the non essential ones as our body supplies them. However, we need to supply the essential nutrients via a proper diet.
And that's what our Munnorgal(Ancestors) has said 'Unave Marunthu'(Food is medicine).
So that's where all these fruits and all comes into picture.
.

Vazhai pazham or banana.

5. Vazhaelai ofcourse!
My eyes are just popping out and I'm just on cloud nine whenever I hear this name! Vazhaelai! A big leaf that naturally comes in different shaded of green! A true beauty of nature that gives immense pleasure when you eat the food served on it.! 

Food served on a Vazhaelai.

6.Vazhai Kuththi.

Whaat is this?!?! This is your next question!

It is called Vazhai kuththi or the bulb like structure at the base of the stem. 

At an even earlier stagae 

Currently only the farmers, maybe their family members, people whose study is based on agriculture and a very few others know what this is.

This is a bulb like structure that is present at the base of the main stem that is used to propagate a vazhai maram.

After you harvest the maram, its kuththi will be somewhat similar to a yam. The outer layer of the stem is sliced off and both of them are served to cows. It helps cows to produce more nutritious milk! 

If you closely notice as a tree, it is boosting other living organisms to serve us in return! And we!!

Vazhai maram after harvest.

6.Vazhai Naar.

Naar?? What's this? It is the fibre that comes from the stem of the Vazhai maram predominantly used for bounding flowers. This application might seem simple as it seems but people, no its not!! Another beautiful product that has come to life in recent times is the Jute saree and Vazhai naar saree is also added to that list!

Let me tell you the funniest part!

Paper Elai.

Amazon sells 'Paper printed Vazhaelai' for Rs.4 to Rs.5 per piece and a Kaai kadaikarar (Vegetable vendor) sells an actual Vazhaelai for Rs.5/piece and the farmer is shocked to know that it is sold at Rs.5 who barely considers it as a commercial product! 

It's thinking time. It's just one type of tree, with so many products and without any waste is living its life for us. Eventhough these trees generate waste, there's nothing that is completely wasted. It is just unfit for our usage but then it turns out as soil nutrient! So yeah, technically no waste!
Hope you are on the journey of finding 'the one' among the three trees and I really wish I have added some value to your time :)

Thanks a ton if you're reading this!
Think and Act ;)

Vazhaelai Quote:

அடிமை பற்ற நாடு சுதந்திரம் அடைந்துவிடும், அனால் ஒரு தேசத்தின் கலாச்சாரம், பண்பாடு மறைந்துபோனால், அது மீண்டும் புத்துயிர் பெறாது! 

~ ஸ்ரீ ராமகிருஷ்ணா விஜயம் .

Translation: A country slaved will be free someday, but if the culture of the nation disappears, it cannot be revived!

~ Sri Ramakrishna Vijayam.

PS: Here's the link to my other posts.
Do give them a read!
PPS: Wondering what's The Tale Of Three Trees?
Check it out here :)