Last evening I decided to take the plunge into our two fish tubs in the veranda. Algae had engulfed the tubs. Now, the fish were clearly visible, which was the first reason to break into a broad smile.
Many fish had perished. New ones had to be added. Off I went to the roof to catch some. Little girls, ranging from half an inch to two inches are very difficult to catch. If you think you can pick a particular one, it is the most difficult task.
Before I caught any fish, my eyes lit up with joy on reaching the rooftop. I smiled from ear to year when I saw a new waterlily staring at me in its full bloom.
About four years back, we started our waterlily collection in the Sun City. We had one which grew wild in our previous station. One thought growing them is a cake walk. It wasn’t.
Five years back, having shortlisted a few waterlily sellers, one ordered six colours of waterlilies. The success of the mission was dismal. We had ordered them in the wrong season; the soil mix was too strong in manure; tubs were very shallow and not placed in full sunlight. Only one survived.
Next season, we decided to convert our rooftop into a waterlily garden. Having read and researched a lot from the net and having watched umpteen videos on the subject, it was time to take the plunge again. We added many tropical and hardy waterlilies to our collection. The rainbow of colours brought immense happiness. We would proudly take our guests to show them as part of our home tour.
Then one day, as I was scrolling through the catalogue, I came across a waterlily with dual colour, white and dark pink. It was unique and stood out from the rest. I fell head over heels for it. It was called by the name Jakkapong. More than its colour, its name was a tongue twister. It had to be part of our garden and was ordered.
The wait for it to bloom began. All the other lilies kept flowering but this one won’t. Why was the question? Doubts like what did I do wrong, what more can I do for it, did I miss out on something, kept circling in my mind? The plant was healthy and happy but refused to bloom.
I got in touch with the seller, who told me that it is a slow bloomer and we should not expect a dual colour bloom every time. Sometimes, it would be half white and half pink or it could be fully pink. That gave me some solace.
Today, the wait finally got over after three years. This beauty was waiting to welcome me. My hard work and patience have paid. It also gave me the confidence that I was doing things right but it is the nature of the flower that it is shy and takes time to open up. “Der aye durust aye.”
As usual, I got thinking about its unusual name called ‘Jakkapong’. By the way, the tuber cost me a fortune as it is a Thai variety. All imported waterlilies generally come from Thailand.
This gave me a subject of research which I must share with you, my friends. The relation is to our culture and has deep roots and relation with the Sanskrit language. I, having been a student of Sanskrit in school, got interested to find out more.
The name Jakkapong is Thai, not a Sanskrit word. However, like many Thai names, it is built using vocabulary that came historically through Sanskrit and Pali influences. Thai culture, especially names, royalty, literature, and formal language, has borrowed many words from these ancient Indian languages.
The connection is mainly through the first part. Jakka/Chakra. This comes from Sanskrit चक्र, meaning wheel, circle, disc, cycle or a rotating object. In Indian traditions, chakra has many meanings. The wheel carried by Vishnu (the Sudarshana Chakra), the wheel as a symbol of power and authority, the wheel of time or cosmic cycles. The flower and its petals appear to be a complete wheel with so many spokes.
Phong/Pong. This part also has a Sanskrit influence. It relates to the idea of वंश (vaṃśa) meaning lineage, ancestry, family line and dynasty. In Thai, it became associated with words like phong/wong, referring to descent or family heritage.
Every flower has a story. Some are told by their colour, some by their fragrance, and some by their names. Jakkapong carries a Thai identity, yet its roots echo an older Sanskrit influence, a reminder that nature, like language, does not recognise borders.”
Will Jakkapong remain shy next season too? I wonder!!!!!!!!
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JAI HIND
© ® NOEL ELLIS
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