the coconut tree, or cocus nucifer, is a common sight across southern india. rather uninteresting to those in search of tropical floral beauty, it is one of the most dynamic of tress. the oil is used extensively for cooking; hair oil and shampoos are regularly applied if one prefers the greasy sultry lush, if not majestic look; the water of the tender variety offers refreshing respite from the high noon heat of a sweltering pre-monsoon day and hygienic hermetically sealed drink for the traveler on foot, by road or by train; its drink is empowered with an array of supposed medicinal properties, not the least, an excellent sun downer with vodka on the beaches of goa; it’s dried leaves woven together for thatching huts; the coir pith is made into rope, briquettes and is apparently a perfect organic manure for indoor plants.
all rather exotic and far away from the suburbs of new jersey, the manicured gardens of paris, the concrete pavement of tokyo and for those whose household shopping entails a bi-weekly trip to tescos.
photographs: from my bedroom balcony; a man perched 60 odd feet above the ground with nothing but a sickle and a prayer, no safety rope or helmet as he hacks down a back yard cocus nucifer. not pictured: several by-standers and associates proffering advice, direction and all mater of chatter. bangalore, india, june 30th, 2009.
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