THE FIRST BLOOMS

I was just so happy to see these blossoms on our mango tree - I had to share them. And those lovely russet coloured leaves! (Do click on the picture for an enlarged view.) I am told that in Thamizh literature, description of a beautiful skin colour is 'Manthalir meni' - like the tender leaves of the mango tree.

I remembered a Malayalam rhyme our mother sang to us when we were children - in fact, the minute she saw the picture now, she recited it.

വേനല്‍ വന്നു, വെയില്‍ മൂത്ത് ,
മാവ് പൂത്തു , മണം പാറി ,
വണ്ട്‌ വന്നു, തേന്‍ കുടിച്ചു,
കണ്ടു നിന്ന് മടിയന്മാര്‍.

"Venal Vannu, Veyil Moothu, maavu poothu, manam pari, vandu vannu , then kudichu, kandu ninnu madiyanmaar." It is a lovely description of a summer day full of flurried activity.

A loose translation might read something like this:
"The hot days are back, and the sun is stronger. The mango tree has bloomed, and spread its fragrance. The honey bees arrive and sip the honey. The lazy ones just stand and watch."