My first encounter with entrepreneurship was in the late 80s. We had a big plant of जाई (AKA Kundumalligai, Arabian Jasmine, Jai, Jui, Chameli, Madanban, Sayali, Kunda or Mallika). I made a deal with a flower seller on my way to school. I used to get up early, pluck buds from the plant, and hand them over to the flower seller. I earned around Rs 500-600 in that season. Our relationship with flowers was limited to family and festive events. Every day, fresh flowers came home for Pooja. आई (Aie~Mother) loved adorning the गजरा to her hair once in a while. The fragrance of मोगरा (Mogra~Jasmine) added happiness to the home.
My deep affection for desi flowers goes far beyond their lovely names. The delicate beauty they possess, their fragility, their opulence, and the abundant offerings they symbolize truly captivate me.
The list of indigenous blooms is endless, but I have a few personal favourites among them.
अबोली (Aboli~ FireCracker) is a pink-orange delicate flower. It has a beautiful, soft and poetic form.
पारिजात(Parjaat~Night-flowering jasmine)is a very delicate, tiny white flower with a bright orange stem and yummy fragrance. From Greek to Indian, there are many mythological stories connected to Parjaat.
सदाफूली (Sadafuli ~Periwinkle) Sadafuli means ever blooming. It never disappoints you as it is blooming throughout the year. The fantastic purple-pink bunch is radiating happiness 24/7.
A flower pot or a vase needed long stem single buds. So with the product came many imported flowers to suit that arrangement. The closest local alternative was निशिगंधा (Nishigandha~Tuberose), another fragrant beauty.
I was fascinated by Urli and how it helps celebrate the opulence of our tiny flowers. My first collection, 'Lifethigns', had a contemporary avatar of Urli in blue transparent acrylic.
Later came रामदिया (Ramdiya), crafted in ceramic, inspired by the fountain at Rambagh Palace, Jaipur.
Our Indian beauties need a contemporary presentation to compete in the urban flower business so that next time, you carry an abundance of happiness instead of a bunch of Gerbera.
आज का शो 'House Phool'.
I See Desi.
I See Design.