Onam on an outsourced platter

Kumily: Kerala takes no shame in relying on the neighboring states to fulfill its daily needs. Onasadya has long been an outsourced affair, with the state depending on Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for its vegetables and Andhra for rice. Even the inevitable plantain leaf on which the sadya is served on is not a Malayali anymore.

The plantain leaves for Onam season have been coming into our markets from various locations in Tamil Nadu including Theni, Dindigul and Madurai districts. The plantain cultivation in these areas are done exclusively for leaves.

These plantations are located in less-windy areas in order to avoid the leaves tearing apart. Leaves arrive in bulk at Theni, Batlagundu and Madurai markets. They are then transported to various markets in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. From Madurai, stocks are being imported to foreign countries also.

The demand for plantain leaves has been spiraling up lately, owing to the Onam as well as the wedding season in both Kerala and Tamil Nadu.