Madurai Malli is the most popular traditional jasmine flower-Malligai (varieties and cultivars of Jasminum sambac) cultivated in the comprehensive geographical area of Madurai, Virudhunagar, Theni, Dindigul and Sivagangai districts of Tamil Nadu state.
From the Sangam age to till date Jasmine and Madurai are inseparable. It is clearly illustrated by the mentioning of Jasmine and Madurai in many sangam literatures like Paripaadal, Madurai Kanchi, Silappathikaaram, Soodaamani Nigandu, Kurinchippattu etc.
Madurai Malli includes the local varieties which are called the local names viz., Gundu Malli, Namma Ooru Malli, Ambu Malli, Ramabanam, Madhanabanam, Iruvatchi, Iruvatchippoo, Kasthuri Malli, Oosi Malli and Single Mogra.
Shape of Madurai Malli buds will be ranged from round to oblong in shape with short to medium long corolla tube having three to four whorls of petals. Madurai Malli has specialised characters like deep fragrance, thick petals, lengthiest petiole, delayed opening of buds, delayed petal discolouration and keeping quality.
Image Credit: tamil.samayam.com
Madurai Malli differs from other jasmine flowers in the pattern of transformation of petal colours from the harvest to utilization. The colour of Madurai Malli is somewhat greenish white when it is collected from the plant. After few hours probably at noon, the colour will turn into milky white and turn into shiny creamy white during the evening. So the whiteness of the flower will not turn into brown even after 24 hours if it is not touched or handled by humans.
The fragrance of the jasmine grown in this geographical area is somewhat superior to that of others because of the heavy accumulation of the smell causing alkaloids ‘Jamone’ and ‘Alpha Terpineol’. The laterite and red soils of this geographical area are rich in Sulphur which is the precursor of these alkaloids.
Madurai Malli is a typical name also giving stress to the different types and fashions of garlanding Jasmine. This denotes that the flower garlanding technique adopted in Madurai only. We can observe six types of flower garlanding types. They are
- Uruttu Kattu – In this type Malligai flowers are garlanded like a spring. This is very unique and famous in Madurai.
- Pattai Kattu – In this type the flowers are garlanded like a strip of metal.
- Normal tying – This is very common style of garlanding in Madurai
- Kadhambam – Mixing of other flowers with Jasmine is known as Kadhambam.
- Maalai – This is normal type of garlanding wearing around the neck
- Thirumbippaar – In this type Malligai flowers are garlanded with other bright coloured artificial flowers.
GI Tag Registration Date : 15 January 2013
GI Tag Number : 238
Certificate Number : 181
Geographical Area : Tamil Nadu
Special Cover Release Date : 10 November 2021
Cancellation : Madurai 625 009
Type : GI Tag Cover
Cover Identification Number : TN/40/2021
Each cover is numbered. Total 2500 covers are issued.
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