As the Onam festival draws near, the demand for banana leaves has surged significantly, leading to a sharp increase in their prices. These banana leaves, which are essential for the traditional Onasadhya feast, are primarily sourced from Tenkasi and Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu and transported to southern districts of Kerala, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Pathanamthitta.
The cost of a bundle of 200 banana leaves has skyrocketed to Rs 1,500, a considerable jump from Rs 600 just two weeks ago. Traders are forecasting that prices might escalate to Rs 2,000 in the coming week due to the heightened demand. Each bundle consists of banana leaves cut into halves and is known for its durability. The special varieties of bananas grown in Tirunelveli are particularly valued for their leaves, which remain fresh for up to four days without wilting and are resistant to tearing.
In stark contrast, the demand for oleander flowers, traditionally used in Onam celebrations, has plummeted this year. Recent safety concerns following reports of fatalities and poisoning incidents related to oleander have led to bans by various Devaswom Boards and temples. As a result, the once-popular ‘arali’ (oleander) flower has seen a dramatic decrease in orders. Pandian, a flower wholesaler from Sankarankovil in Tamil Nadu, has noted a complete absence of pre-orders for oleander flowers this year, a significant decline from previous years when up to 6,000 kilos of the flower were ordered in advance for Uthradam, the first day of Onam.
This shift highlights changing trends in Onam preparations, with increased focus on certain traditional elements while others, like the oleander flower, are being phased out due to safety concerns.
