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Pipi's Mango Tree

Saturday, August 9, 2008

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By Nahai

What
comes to your mind when someone mentions something that is superb, juicy, tasty and very colorful fruit? A tomato or jackfruits maybe close to the answer, but the answer will be definitely none other than the ‘King of fruits’- Mango. It is for this that the mango tree, the one that has stood behind my grandmother’s house that brings sugary reminiscences whenever someone speaks of mangoes.

The villagers would either refer to the tree as Pipi Theihai (pipi’s mango tree) or simply as ‘Sweet mango tree’. Maybe they do not have time to learn what is Mangifera indica Dussheri, Chosa, Langra, Safeda, Kalmi, Alphonso, Amrapali (some varieties of mangoes) like we do. The only thing they were worried about were the recurrent hailstones during the flowering months of early spring as heavy winds and hailstones would come which meant lesser ripened mangoes left for them to savor.

There are several species of mangoes but the genera of the mango tree never bother children and the village folk of Patpuihmun. Instead they would look onward eagerly for the huge tree to bear its fruits. Children do not care as long as their little hands could reach to plug their favourite fruit, of course with permission from Pipi (grandmother).

Pipi Theihai is a tall tree now growing almost up to 100 ft; a dense, heavy crown of branches has a spread of around 100 ft. The evergreen drooping leaves resemble those of the peach tree. Coppery to purplish-red at first but becoming green at maturity, they are lance-shaped and slightly curved. It has witnessed many summers and according to the village elders it could be as old as 100 years. What is amazing is that the fruits are as sweet as before. Its ivory colored small flowers are still numerous with fruit clusters hanging outside the foliage canopy.

The small yellowish flowers would appear. Children’s knew that soon they would have those little mangoes again. Now those flowers produces a volatile substance which in some little kids it would cause an allergic reaction and respiratory problems. Mothers would scold their kids for being glutton. The few lucky ones who were permitted by Pipi did not have to fear the volatile substances for they do not have to fear her rebukes for not taking her permission before climbing the tree.

Pipi Theihai also provides lots of dense shade. And at high noon everybody in the village of Patpui* would seek its company looking for superior cool shade it offer. It also had lots of visitors. The first to arrive during the flowering were a flock of chattering bulbuls that trying to impress their mates. These bulbuls were then be followed by other smaller birds. Pipi Theihai is not just a Mango Tree now. It is more like an individual in the little village where people would come together whenever they need to find relief from heat and of course not forgetting the ripe juicy mangoes.

Its huge trunk provided a strong limb children used to put bamboo ladders to climb it with. Everyone loves to sit by its lowering branches. They would even talk to the tree wishing for more shade and more fruits.

Due to its excellent succulent taste and its fresh yellow colour, Pipi Theihai is simply known as the ‘Sweet Mango’. Called it Am (Hindi) or mavina hannu(Kannada) Pipi’s mango will still retain its form, size, color, scent, taste and quality. There are over 500 named varieties of the mango. The colourful cheek, tasty, juicy, flavored fruit that Pipi’s Theihai bore is now known all over the surrounding villages.

The villagers from other villages would asked for the dry flat elongated fibrous seed from Pipi in the hope that a new ‘pipi theihai’ would grow behind their huts as well. But the folk would regret sadly that none of the fruits that come up in their garden taste as good as the one on Pipi’s.

Pipi’s Theihai is however like any other mango trees when it comes to putting up with nature calamities, pesky black birds, bugs, insects, bees, and is susceptible do getting mildew. Yes, that is what all that black stuff all over the trunk, leaves, and fruit. But nobody cares about the mildew when Pipi’s Theihai is laden with plum juicy fruit. They would throw stones and pick and pick all the ones that were just right.

Each time I look back in fondness, I am saddened because Pipi’s Theihai lost its largest branch facing the east last monsoon when it was struck by lightning. But then a good Mango tree can last for 300 years and still fruiting great tasting Mangoes- the kind you love to eat.
Thank you for your vist. Have a question ? Contact on : lalmalsawm(at)yahoo(dot)com.
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2 comments:

Joyful Thiek said...

I remember when I was one of those village children, in the same village of Patpuihmun. Funny how one just gets so crazy about those Pipi Theihais...still remembered when me and some friends sneaked up to a neighbour's garden and stole several mangoes...tasted better, those fruits!
I remember climbing a Bombay theihai (or whatever we called it at the time) one rainy day and plucking a fruit despite the many ants (singsang or what do we call it?)...kinda slipped from the trunk and almost fell flat on the ground, thanks to one of the branches..
Pipi theihai indeed!!! Brings back a thousand memories...

BlogAdmin said...

That means we are were born in the same village...

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