Monday, 2 October, 2023
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Monsoon magnificence!

Bengalis have always been attached to monsoon, and have been influenced by its splendid beauty. Along with all other features of the season, her rich variety of flowers have never failed to amaze them. Be it literature, music or festivals, the presence of monsoon flowers is everywhere in Bengali life.

If you think of rainy day flowers, Kadam (Anthocephalusindicus) would be the first name that will come to your mind. This round shaped yellowish flower symbolises rain, love, and love-making.

The romance of Krishna and Radha under the Kadam tree is a legend relived for ages. Besides, Kadam appears in the melodies of Tagore, Abbasuddin and Humayun Ahmed. In Dhaka, Kadam has bloomed in big numbers in SuhrawardyUdyan.

Keya (Pandanustecto-rius) is another major flower of the monsoon. This gorgeous flower is seen in the Baldha Garden, Ramna Park and Botanical Garden in the capital. Keya is known as the queen of the rainy season and a much mentioned flower in Tagore’s poetry.

Malati (Aganosmadi-chotoma) is a big, woody climber which looks like stars glittering in the trees. The superb fragrance of this lovely flower is frequently described in Tagore’s and Nazrul’s poems and songs. And indeed this small five-petalled white flower fills the air of the rainy days in Ramna Park.

 Jhumkolata (Passifloracaerulea) is a pretty flower of the rainy season. The flower of this creeping plant seems like an ornament. This plant can easily be identified for its triangular leaves. Her thick thread-like petals are arranged in square shape. The stunningly beautiful flower can be found in Ramna nursery.

Another five-petalled lovely monsoon flower is Lutki (Melastomamal-abathricum). This small shrub grows year-round on edges of paddy fields, Sal forest and the hilly areas of Gazipur, Sylhet and Bandarban. But during the rains, they grow tall. Their combination of purple petals and bright yellow stamens is simply stunning.

As a monsoon flower, Kathalichanpa (Artobotrysodoratissimus) is adored by many. This sweet-scented flower sometimes escapes our eyes as it often remains hidden behind the leaves. Kathalichanpa is available during monsoon in Dhaka University campus and Panthokunjo area.

Many aquatic plants which persevere patiently throughout the year find new life with the rains. They adorn the water bodies where they grow in. Water lily (Nymphaeapubescens), Lotus (Nelumbonucifera), Shaluk (Nymphaeanauchalli), and Chandmala (Nymphoidesindica) are some of them.

Water lily, our national flower, of course stands apart. Her beauty in the early morning seems celestial. Lotus blooms in plenty in numbers and provides beels (water bodies) and canals a very attractive look.

Some herbal plants also bear flowers in the monsoon. Two such flowers are Sorpogondha (Rauwolfiaserpentina) and Ulatcondal (Gloriosasuperba). Charm of these two flowers astounds all.

Apart from these flowers, Nishipadma, Jui, Chalta, Sukhdorshan, Chamely, Hongsolata, Sultanchanpa, Kamini, Aparajita, Nayantara, Nageshwar, Dholkolmi etc. monsoon flowers give a soothing experience to the eyes of nature lovers.