<p>They string these flowers and wear them as jewels, singing the folk song: “Namma hennige addige kodtiv, chaina kodtiv... Namma hudugig gandu kodi...” (We give our girl ‘addige’, chain... you give her a groom...). <br /><br />Generally considered weed, ‘addige’ is called ‘Gabbu Sanna Sevanti’ in Kannada and ‘Bellamaku Chettu’ in Telugu. The plant that grows 30 to 60 cm in height, is said to have come to India from Central America. The flower is favourite of bees and butterflies. <br /><br />Medicinal value<br /><br />The flowers with cream petals with green tender stalks are strung together and worn as jewels by women. It has a medicinal value as well, says Murthy, a lecturer in Boiolgy. <br /><br />“Usually, when children are hurt while playing, the leaves of the plant is powedered and the paste is applied on the wound as anti-scepting,” he said. Besides, children use a mixture of plant with charcoal clean their slates. It’s a nutritious fodder for the bovines too, he added. <br /> The ‘addige’ grows on the less-trodden areas in fields and forests. <br /><br />They are a medium of creative expression, occupying a prime position in their world of fantasy. <br /><br />The young girls decked up with the flowery ornaments on their neck, head, sleeve and hands, remind one of Rabindranath Tagore’s lines from ‘Playthings’: “Child, how happy you are sitting in the dust, playing with a broken twig all the morning... With whatever you find you create your glad games, I spend both my time and my strength over things I never can obtain.” <br /></p>
<p>They string these flowers and wear them as jewels, singing the folk song: “Namma hennige addige kodtiv, chaina kodtiv... Namma hudugig gandu kodi...” (We give our girl ‘addige’, chain... you give her a groom...). <br /><br />Generally considered weed, ‘addige’ is called ‘Gabbu Sanna Sevanti’ in Kannada and ‘Bellamaku Chettu’ in Telugu. The plant that grows 30 to 60 cm in height, is said to have come to India from Central America. The flower is favourite of bees and butterflies. <br /><br />Medicinal value<br /><br />The flowers with cream petals with green tender stalks are strung together and worn as jewels by women. It has a medicinal value as well, says Murthy, a lecturer in Boiolgy. <br /><br />“Usually, when children are hurt while playing, the leaves of the plant is powedered and the paste is applied on the wound as anti-scepting,” he said. Besides, children use a mixture of plant with charcoal clean their slates. It’s a nutritious fodder for the bovines too, he added. <br /> The ‘addige’ grows on the less-trodden areas in fields and forests. <br /><br />They are a medium of creative expression, occupying a prime position in their world of fantasy. <br /><br />The young girls decked up with the flowery ornaments on their neck, head, sleeve and hands, remind one of Rabindranath Tagore’s lines from ‘Playthings’: “Child, how happy you are sitting in the dust, playing with a broken twig all the morning... With whatever you find you create your glad games, I spend both my time and my strength over things I never can obtain.” <br /></p>
