Kerala is a state located in south west region of India on the Malabar Coast. Kerala is beyond doubt

the obscured India. It is God's own country and an attractively stunning, bright green fleck of land.

Kerala is a lengthy extends of enthralling foliage. The lofty striking coconut palms lead the

backdrop. It has a diverse verity of traditions and culture. Kerala, India being a lush green and

naturally beautiful state has a rich tradition of worshipping nature in the forms of rivers, hills and

land. Kerala's natural beauty and wildlife has always been an integral part of the cultural tradition

of Kerala, India.

As a malayalee,I thought I should research about coconut tree leaves .how it is used in Kerala in

different culture, traditions etc. When I started I got a lots of knowledge about these leaves which

influenced me to search more.

Keralam, the name is derived from two words “kera” and “alam”. Kera means coconut tree and

alam means land of. Therefore keralam means land of coconut trees. From the name itself we can

understand the role of coconut tree in kerala.

So here my research is starting with a story explaining the origin of coconut tree in hindu

mythology.from there it explain the importance and leaves and how it is used in different caste and

communities and in arts and culture and finally in day today life.

A Hindu Mythological Story Explaining the Origin of Coconut tree:

Trishanku , the son of Prithu was a king in Solar Dynasty. The Dynasty of the great Hindu god Rama.King

Trishanku was a saintly man whose great desire was to ascend bodily in to heaven. And he requested his

Guru Vasishta to perform the needful rites to achieve this goal. But his Guru refused it because it was

against the laws of nature for someone with a mortal body to enter the heaven. Trishanku was so

depressed upon his Guru’s refusal .So he approached the sons of Vasishta to help him to achieve his

desire. The request of Trishanku in spite of refusal by their father angered the sons and they cursed

Trishanku with a debilitating disease. Hence Trishanku was forced to leave his country and wander the

lands.

During his wanderings Trishanku met sage Vishvamithra , and he explained his desire and the troubles

he faced ,sage Vishvamithra who was a rival of Guru Vasishta accepted Trisanku’s request and agreed

to perform the rituals required to send Trishanku to heaven with a mortal body.

The rituals began and by the power of great sage, the king Trishanku started ascending to the heaven.

The Devas came to know about this unnatural occurrence and under the leadership of Indra decided not

to let Trishanku enter the gates of heaven in this mortal self. Indra using his power caused Trishanku to

fall back to earth. Vishvamitra saw Trishanku hurtling downwards and he used his power to arrest the

fall. As Indra would not let him ascend into heaven and Vishwamitra would not allow him to come

down, Trishanku became suspended between heaven and earth.

Folklore has expanded this mythological story to explain the origin of coconut tree: Vishvamitra knew

that Trishaku would eventually fall in to earth unless held up by physical means, so he propped him with

a long pole.The pole eventually turned into a coconut tree and Trishanku’s head became its fruit. The

fibre around the coconut is Trishanku’s beard. When you take it off, you see his eyes peering at you.

KALPAVRIKSHA:

In Sanskrit, the name for the coconut palm "Kalpa vriksha", which means "the tree which provides all the

necessities of life" or "wish-fulfilling tree".Kalpavriksha is a mythological wishfulfilling divine tree said to

fulfill all the desires. Kalpvriksha has many spiritual, religious and environmental values. It's a divine tree

on the earth planet. Hence every part of coconut tree is used ,it is considered as a kalpavriksha in india.

Tall, slender, majestic with open umbrella of fronds at the top, the coconut palm-also known as the

Kalpavriksha-dominates many Indian landscapes, in particular, Kerala. Coconut forms an integral part of

the state’s cuisine, culture and livelihood. There is a saying that there are as many coconut trees in

Kerala as stars in the sky.

Kerala is believed to be a Malayalam portmanteau fusing kera ("coconut palm tree") and alam ("land"

or "location"). Every part of the coconut tree is used. Coconut water, a refreshing drink, is directly

sipped from the unripe fruit, the grated and dried copra is used to thicken sauces, and the oil extracted

from the fruit is a popular frying medium. Palm sugar or jaggery is made from the juice extracted by

cutting young stems of several palm species such as the coconut palm, the palmyra palm, and

particularly the kittul palm. The coconut sap can also be fermented to yield toddy, an alcoholic

beverage. The shells are used to make handicraft objects, spoons and ladles, leaves are dried to remove

their veins for making brooms, and the jute-like material from the nodes is used as a material for lining.

In kerala, during the time of festivals the whole temple,the way to the temple, the houses near to the

temple etc is decorated with this tender coconut leaves.

(rituals and puja, 2013) the reason behind decorating the temple premices with tender coconut leaves,it

actually symbolically represent as barriers which restrict the entry of evil spirit to that area.

COCONUT LEAVES:

The coconut palm produces a crown of pinnately compound yellow-green leaves called fronds. Each

frond reaches 15 to 17 feet in length.The leaves are used in 3 types, tender form,normal and dried form.

In kerala only lower community people(male) climb coconut tree and the females do the weaving in

coconut tree leaves, these people normally works for higher caste people.

Figure 1: Men climbing coconut tree Figure 2: Men climbing coconut tree

Photo: Pradeep, 2011 Photo: Pradeep, 2011

(Murali, 2013)Now a days traditional coconut climbers are less in number, generations of these

traditional coconut climbers are not following their traditional job, because they are getting lower

income, now a days government offers training for climbing coconut tree for both men and women and

they developed machines for climbing coconut trees

Figure 3: coconut leaf weaving Figure 4: coconut leaf weaving

Photo: saly panikar, 1993 Photo: priyanka , 2012

The leaves of coconut tree are used for different purpose in normal life, the women used to weave

these green and dry coconut leaves for various purpose, but these weaved coconut leaves don’t have

much life span so they has to be changed once in an year. Because of these new chemicals are available

in market to increase the life span and prevent the leaves from decaying.

(ambika, 2013)Now days women are not interested in weaving, they are depending on readymade

material available in market for shelter. These coconut leaves are now used for generating fuel for

household purpose.

(bindu, 2013)Coconut leaves are plaited and used for thatching houses and sheds in rural areas. It is

also used for thatching 'honeymoon huts' and such huts in town and cities. Technology is available with

Regional Research Laboratory, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala for extending the life of leaf thatch from

one year to four years. Plaited coconut leaves are also used for making baskets, headgears and for

erection of temporary fences. Plaiting of coconut leaves is a cottage industry in traditional coconut

growing states. Midribs of leaves are used to make brooms of different types, which are used for

cleaning rough grounds and floors. Brooms of midribs of coconut leaves are manufactured on a

commercial scale in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Usage of coconut leaf in different Religion:

Kerala is famous for coconut trees and it is widely available in Kerala, it is used by different

religion and culture in many ways. Coconut, leaves, shell, flower etc. most part of the

coconut tree is used in kerala. This has symbolic meaning according to the Hindu

mythology and Christian.

Hindu culture:

According to Hindu culture most part of the coconut tree is used for most of the rituals and

puja’s . but the coconut leaves are not used so they use it for decorating and it has a

medicinal value ,it purifies the air. So it is widely used in Hindu culture. It also restricts the

entry of evil spirit.

The coconut tree is given a special place in most Hindu households and great care is taken

to nature the tree. In the southern part of India, it is a must for every household to plant

coconut trees. There is a popular saying, "Water the plant for five years, reap coconuts for

life" . The coconut is used for all religious purposes. Infact, it represents the main

"sthapana" of any pooja. The whole pot filled with water, mango leaves and coconut, also

known as "Purnakumbha" is a symbol of Goddess Laksmi or Fortune and the coconut

represents divine consciousness. To break a coconut in the beginning of any event is

considered to be very auspicious. Coconuts are offered in Temples to worship to various

Gods and Goddesses. The fruit is also believed to represent Lord Shiva and the three black

marks on the coconut shell, symbolizes his eyes.

(namboodiri, 2013)Once in puranas during the puja to restrict the entry of evil ,a saint

named Vishvamitra created coconut tree, so the leaves actually represent coconut tree.

Figure 5: coconut leaf hangings Figure 6 :Bird made of coconut leaf

Photo: Priyanka ,2013 Photo: Priyanka , 2013

Figure 6: Coconut leaf hangings (thoranams) Figure 7: decorations in temple with tender leaves

Photo: priyanka,2013 Photo: khasarkod .com

Figure 8: Coconut leaf decorations in temple

Photo: Priyanka,2013

Christain Culture:

In kerala christianity has a great tradition , Christian festivals are celebrated in a big way in the land.They

also use tender coconut leaves in their rituals.Palm Sunday,Hosana ijayar (Hosana Sunday),Ash

Wednesday are some of the festivals they celebrate and they use these coconut leaves.During these

rituals its observed with utmost reverence and special services are held on the day in churches across

the State. Devotees attend the prayers holding tender coconut palm leaves (kuruthola in Malayalam)

and hence the festival is called ‘Kuruthola Perunnal’. In several churches ceremonial processions are

taken out.

Story behind Palm Sunday: On the morning after the supper at Bethany, Jesus called two of his disciples

and said to them, "Go into the next village, and at a place where two roads cross, and there you will find

an ass tied, and a colt with it. Loose them, and bring them to me. And if anyone says to you, 'Why do

you do this?' say 'The Lord has need of them,' and they will let them go."

They went to the place, and found the ass and the colt, and were loosing them, when the owner said,

"What are you doing, untying the ass?" And they said, as Jesus had told them to say, "The Lord has need

of it!".Then the owner gave them the ass and the colt for the use of Jesus. They brought them to Jesus,

on the Mount of Olives, and they laid some of their own clothes on the colt for a cushion, and set Jesus

upon it. Then all the disciples and a very great multitude threw their garments upon the ground for

Jesus to ride upon. Others cut down branches from the trees and laid them on the ground.

And as Jesus rode over the mountain toward Jerusalem many walked before him waving branches of

palm-trees. And they all cried together, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he that cometh in the

name of the Lord! Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest!"

These things they said because they believed that Jesus was the Christ, the Anointed King, and they

hoped that he would now set up his throne in Jerusalem. Some of the Pharisees in the crowd, who did

not believe in Jesus, said to him, "Master, stop your disciples!" But Jesus said, "I tell you, that if these

should be still, the very stones would cry out!"

And when he came into Jerusalem with all this multitude, all the city was filled with wonder. They said,

"Who is this?" And the multitude answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet of Nazareth in Galilee".

And Jesus went into the temple, and looked around it; but he did not stay, because the hour was late.

He went again to Bethany, and there stayed at night with his friends.

These things took place on Sunday, the first day of the week; and that Sunday in the year is called Palm

Sunday, because of the palm branches which the people carried before Jesus.

Figure 9: Procession during palm Sunday Figure 10: Cross made out of tender coconut leaves

Photo : shaiju,2000 photo : shaiju,2000

Devoties of other state and country use what leaves is commonly available,here in kerala

these tender coconut leaves are easily available so they celebrate it with these leaves.

Ash Wednesday:

Ash Wednesday is a christian festival and it is the first day of Lent in the Western Christian

calendar. Occurring 46 days before Easter, it is a moveable fast that can fall as early as

February 4 and as late as March 10. It marks the beginning of six and a half weeks of

repentance, fasting and abstinence in preparation for the most important Christian festival

of Easter.

Ashes are something that are left when something is burned. For them , ashes are a symbol

of being sorry for things they have done wrong and want to get rid of forever. It is also a

reminder to them that we all come from ashes, and to ashes we all will return.

Many Christians will attend a religious service where the ashes are blessed by the church

leader, and placed on their forehead.

Christians believe this marks the physical and spiritual beginning of a personal Lent season

in which 40 days of repentance will begin leading up to the celebration of Easter Sunday.

(jinsy, 2013) From the palm branches of the previous Palm Sunday! We take the palms,

symbols of victory and celebration, and burn them to stress the austerity of the Lenten

season.

In churches the priest first burns the palm that have been kept from last year's Palm

Sunday and then mixes the ashes of these crosses with holy water (which has been blessed)

to make a greyish paste. When people go to church on Ash Wednesday, the priest dips his

thumb in the paste and uses it to make the sign of the cross on each person's forehead.

Figure 11: cross made of palm figure 12: blessed ashes Figure 13: burning palm

Figure 14:Cross on forehead figure 15: priest making the cross on forehead

Photos: stgeorgesnewhamburg.com

Coconut leaves- Cultural Significance:

Kerala is well known for its diverse form of performing arts. The various communities in Kerala

contribute to its rich and colorful culture. In most of these artforms the coconut leaves are used in one

way or the other.Most of the time it is used as decorations in costumes and as jwellary etc. The reason

behind using this coconut leaves in these art forms id because these coconut trees are widely available

in kerala.so these levaes are used for decorations.This is also used in religious ritual perfomances in

different caste and communities.

Art forms :

Theyyam: Theyyam (Teyyam, Theyyattam or Thira) is a popular ritual form of worship of North Malabar

in Kerala, India, predominant in the Kolathunadu area (consisting of present-day Kasargod, Kannur

Districts, Mananthavady Taluk of Wayanad and Vadakara and Koyilandy Taluks of Kozhikode of Kerala.

As a living cult with several thousand-year-old traditions, rituals and customs. The performers of

Theyyam belong to the lower class community, and have an important position in Theyyam. The term

Theyyam is a corrupt form of Devam or God. People of these districts consider Theyyam itself as a God

and they seek blessings from this Theyyam.There are approximately 400 types of Theyyam.The very

attractive features of theyyatam are its colorful costumes. The make up involves very accurate face

painting of different styles and body decoration. The hierarchy of Gods, Goddesses, heroes, demons,

spirits and other mythical beings is personified in the plays.

The theyyams like Theechamundi, Pottan Theyyam and Uchitta the waist dress is woven out of coconut

leaves as they leap in to the fire. Above the waist dress the naked body is painted with different native

colour.

These art form has the coconut leaves as their costumes or as accessories .They mostlly use tender

coconut leaves either it will be weaven or splitted .

Figure 16: theyyam Figure 17: pottan theyyam Figure 18: theyya kolam

Figure 19: kooli theyyam Figure 20:Theechamundi theyyam

Figure 21: Pottan theyyam Figure 22: Theechamundi

Photos : Kerala arts.com, 2013

Padayani: Padayani, also called Padeni, (from the word for military formations) is a traditional folk

dance and a ritual art from the central portion of the Indian state of Kerala. A ceremonial dance

involving masks, it is an ancient ritual performed in Bhagavati temples. The dance is performed in honor

of Bhadrakaali. Meaning, a 'row of warriors', Padayani is an art form that blends music, dance, theatre,

satire, facial masks, and paintings. It is part of worship of Bhadrakali and is staged in temples dedicated

to the goddess from mid-December to mid-May. Padayani is unique to central Travancore, comprising

the Pathanamthitta-Alappuzha-Kottayam belt of Kerala. Padayani is regarded as a remnant of the

Dravidian forms of worship that existed before the advent of Brahmanism.These mask are made out of

palm skin and they paint it with natural coclours.and the outer side of these mask is decorated with

tender coconut leaves.After the perfomances they will burn this mask and other forms and decorations

Figure 23: Padayani Mask Figure 24:padayani kolam

Figure 25: padayani kolam Figure 26: padayani mask

Seethakan thullal: This is a kind of ottam thullal but the songs and dance in this form of thullal are

slower than Ottan thullal in metre and rhythm and in tempo. The dancer uses a piece of black cloth tied

tightly round the head and this is circled with a band of tender, palm leaves giving the impression of a

crown. Ornaments representing the full-blown lotus, made once more of palm leaf, adorn the upper

arms and wrists, ankle belts, and the feet. The chest is covered with a profusion of bead necklaces and

over this is tied a cross-belt. A red cloth is draped round the waist and a long length of white cloth,

rather like a bandage, is looped again and again around a waist-string and fixed above this. These

leaves are used for decoration as costumes and also as ornaments.

Figure 27:seethan thullal

Photos :Kerala arts .com,2013

Coconut leaves toys:

In olden days in kerala childrens use to play with these coconut leaf toys like ball,whistle,jwellary

etc.but in these generation children do not know these kind of toys.These toys were childhood favorite

when people became so close to nature.For making these they have different types of foldings similar

to origami.

Figure 28: specs made of coconut leaf Figure 29: snake made of coconut leaf

Figure 30: ball Figure 31:whistle

Figure 32: Wind Fan Figure 33: Watch

Photos: pradeep,2011

Everyday Products With Coconut Leaves:

kerala has a wide range of coconut trees and these leaves are cheaply available.So it is used in

day to day life. Like shelter,baskets, crafts, mats ,decoration , manure etc.

In kerala the government has developed a new organisation for the development of coconut tree

called COCONUT DEVELOPMENT BOARD.

Shelter :

Coconut leaves are plaited and used for thatching houses and sheds in rural areas. These leaves

are dried and then they use for thaching.But these leaves last for 1 Year and these has to be

changed.But now the government had found some chemicals to improve the life expancy so it

last for more than 2 years. These plaited coconut leaves are used for decorations also. And in

some places they use it for covering the plants from animals and they also use that as boundary

walls.

Figure 34: House made of coconut leaves Figure 35: coconut leaf roof

Photos: alamy.com , 2013

Crafts and Decoraions :The coconut leaves are also used for decorations ,they used to make

birds,hangings etc in temples,houses etc.

Figure 36:Grass hoper made out of coconut leaves Figure 37: Art work in Binnale

Figure 38: Art work in Binnale Figure 39: Art work in binnale

Photos:Muzaris-Binnale , Fort cochin

Baskets and Mats:

Figure 49: Basket Figure 50: coconut leaf mat

Figure 51: coconut leaf Basket Figure 52: Coconut spa in coconut leaf basket

Photos:pradeep,2011

Agriculture: Normal and dried coconut leaves are used to convert agriculture waste in to

manure to grow mushrooms and earthworms. These leaves are also used as general

manure which will help the agriculturalist not to use too much manure. It also helps for

vermin culture. It is also used as fuel for biomass electricity.

Other Uses:

And these dried leaves are used for fire; in houses for cooking they use woods and these

leaves for making fire. In olden days people used these coconut leaves to make fire and

used it in night as a torch for traveling.

On the whole coconut leaves are used in every part of Kerala in one way or the other. But

these leaves are quiet famous in ancient times, the coming generation is not even going to

look for these coconut leaves. And these leaves was much known to older generation

because people where so close to nature and they lived in a world where they share their

stuffs and all. This research has really helped me to under the importance of coconut tree

and its different parts in the ancient times and helped me to understand how it is used

widely.

Bibliography:

List of References:

1. Thirumeni, s. D. (Performer). (2013). rituals and puja. thrissur, kerala.

2. Ambika. (2013, march 27). coconut leaves weaking. (priyanka, Interviewer)

3. Bindu. (2013, march 30). krishi officer. (priyanka, Interviewer)

4. Jinsy. (2013, april 3). ash wednesday. (priyanka, Interviewer)

5. Murali. (2013, march 27). coconut tree climbers. (priyanka, Interviewer)

6. Namboodiri, d. (2013, march 14). coconutleaves in hindu rituals. (priyanka, Interviewer)

List of Sites referred:

1. www.indiaprofile.com/lifestyle/coconut.htm

2. www.bukisa.com/articles/282019_coconut-palm-popularly-known-as-kalpavriksha

3. hinduism.about.com/od/artculture/a/symbolism_rituals.htm