Soaring Arali flower sales amidst Onam season sparks panic in Kerala

KOTTAYAM: Nerium oleander, known as Arali, was the recent topic of discussion in Kerala after getting banned in temples after studies found poisonous elements in its leaves. The big decision came after a young woman succumbed to death after eating Arali flower that was mixed in food. And now, with Onam around the corner, Arali flowers are coming in loads from neighbouring Tamil Nadu for traditional ‘Athapookalam’, the art of making rangoli using flowers.

With authorities not responding to the issue, panic has spread among people with many fearing health ailments if coming in contact with Arali flowers. These are times when readymade flowers and artificial own markets, but interestingly, their rising sales have not taken away the sheen of the original ones as most people prefer them over the artificial ones. The agricultural department and Kudumbasree have extensively cultivated marigold flowers in an ingenious attempt. However, people with an eye for myriad varieties of flowers will have to rely on neighbouring Tamil Nadu. A large stream of flower sellers have arrived in Kerala from Tamil Nadu eyeing the lucrative Onam season.

Arali is priced at Rs 300 per kg. RS 200 for marigolds and 50 rupees for one cubit of jasmine flowers.

Onam is already here with the start of the Athachamayam procession in Thripunithura. The larger-than-life-size flower rangolis will appear all across Kerala during Uthradam day. Homes, schools, offices and every nook and corner of Kerala will be adorned with flowers during the festival.

Some covert attempts are also going behind the curtains to break the Guinness record for the largest Athapookalam. If trends are to be believed, sooner or later, the record is set to be broken.