JOIN USMysuru Mallige, known for its unmatched scent, has an inextricable link with the royal city. Sreekantswamy B examines the present status of this jasmine variety that has been an integral part of Mysuru’s culture
Malge...malge...malge... thus resonates the central part of Devaraja Market on Sayyaji Road in Mysuru every morning. For locals, it automatically translates to Mysuru Mallige (Mysuru jasmine), a variety of jasmine that has influenced their lives for generations. The vendors deftly unloading sacks of jasmine and packing it into small covers; the buyers making way through crowded lanes to reach heaps of jasmine and buy it afresh, gives an account of a bigger narrative.
Needless to say, the culture and tradition of the land, especially the old Mysuru region of Karnataka, shares an inextricable link with the flower known for its unique aroma and longevity. The distinct jasmine variety, exquisitely scented to soothe and refresh, was decorated with the Geographical Indicator (GI) tag in 2006, which gave local farmers an exclusive cultivation rights of the flower for 10 years.
Many virtues
Mysuru Mallige is a variety of jasmine that is grown in and around Mysuru. The flower is known for its fragrance, which remains for a longer period and the aroma that can be felt in the vicinity. The flower is mainly used to make garlands and for other decorative purposes. “The unique characteristics of Mysuru Mallige are due to the combinations of inherent genetic constitution of the variety and the geographical area where it is grown. It has been found that if the same variety is grown in other areas, its characteristics like high fragrance vary,” explains K Ramakrishnappa, president of Jaivik Krishik Society. The demand for the ever-popular Mysuru Mallige reaches its peak during festive seasons — particularly on Ugadi and Sankranti. During Sankranti, women, especially youngsters, clad in traditional attire get their hair decorated with mallige. This attractive hair decoration called the moggina jade, has evolved to be a cultural practice among Mysureans. The moggu here is of Mysuru Mallige, and needless to say, it’s the wish of every mother to see her daughter wear moggina jade and capture the moment in camera. Devaraja Market is again the one place where moggina jades are available.
This market alone gets not less than 5,000 kg of jasmine daily, from where it is transported to different markets in the same district, besides other parts of the State, says Manjunath, a wholesaler at Gayatri Flower Stall in the market.
As Shashishekara Dixit, the main priest of the Chamundeshwari Temple atop the Chamundi Hills, puts it, in many temples of the State including Chamundeshwari Temple, the presiding deity is worshipped using Mysuru Mallige. At places, like in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, it might get replaced by another unique variety — Udupi Mallige. Not just that, garland makers also use jasmine extensively. Mysuru Mallige garlands have carved a name for themselves for their beauty and aroma. Though there are no historical evidences as to why jasmine is a must for religious purposes, one common reason is their longevity and fragrance, adds Shashishekara.
Under threat
While the name Mysuru Mallige remains, what has perished is the rich patronage it once enjoyed in the region during the reign of Wadiyars. Now the crop is under threat. Though people appreciate the uniqueness of the flower, farmers are not showing enthusiasm to grow it as the yield is less compared to other varieties. The per plant production of Mysuru Mallige is less compared to other popular varieties such as dundu mallige, which is extensively grown in Tamil Nadu. Since the availability of Mysuru Mallige is very less these days, it is said that merchants in Mysuru purchase ‘Tamil Nadu jasmine’ and sell them as Mysuru Mallige. In fact, Tamil Nadu jasmine forms a major chunk of flowers that come to Devaraja Market every day. The Tamil Nadu jasmine, though looks similar to Mysuru Mallige, has slight differences in colour, shape, fragrance and shelf-life.
Not long ago, every family at Veerangere or Erangere off Ashoka Road in Mysuru was into the cultivation of flowers and vegetables. Mallige was largely cultivated at Keelanpura, Duddagere or Dudda on Mysuru-T Narsipur Road. As the urbanisation seeped into rural areas, fields vanished and so also the traditional occupation. Now, except for a few families who cultivate jasmine and supply to market, nobody is eager to take it up, says Prakash, assistant horticulture officer, Horticulture Department. Realising the precarious status of this jasmine variety, the Horticulture Department has taken up activities to revive interest among people about Mysuru Mallige and thus conserve the variety. Right now, the department is growing jasmine in a small patch of land at its field area near Kukkarahalli Lake. Interestingly, the saplings here were sourced from a farmer in Dudda, two years ago. The saplings are in good demand and the department claims to have sold more than 7,000 saplings in the last two years. And, that’s how jasmine, though not grown in a vast area, is still cultivated in the backyard of houses in rural areas.
Once a sapling is planted, it takes about six months for it to grow into a plant. It needs constant moisture and hence has to be irrigated regularly. However, it’s only after a year, one can expect good quality flowers. Once it blossoms, it remains for seven days. The plant flowers at different intervals throughout the year.
Poetic inspiration
Mention Mysuru Mallige, poet K S Narasimha Swamy’s popular work with the same name resonates in people’s minds, especially literature buffs. He aptly titled his two works as Mysuru Mallige, an anthology of poems brought out in 1942 that saw more than 30 prints, and as Dundu Mallige (published in 1993). It was the same collection of poems that inspired movie maker T S Nagabharana to make a film by the same name in 1992 that went on to win a national award.
Udupi Mallige and Hadagali Mallige are two other endemic jasmine varieties of Karnataka that are admired for their distinct features. They have also been registered as GI crops. Hadagali Mallige is also known as Madhyanha Mallige. It is mainly cultivated in Hoovina Hadagali and surrounding areas in the otherwise mines rich Ballari district. Udupi Mallige is another variety that has attracted people. It is grown mainly in Udupi, Bhatkal, Dakshina Kannada and surrounding areas.
Though about 10 major varieties of jasmine are grown in the State, these three varieties assume significance for their fragrance, longevity and commercial possibilities.