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Choicest fruit of the season
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The ongoing Mango Festival 2003 is an educative experience to know more about the king of fruits .
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MANGOES GALORE: The fare brings uncommon varieties.
LEGEND HAS it that the king of fruits was patronised by rulers in the Deccan which accounts for the exotic titles given to the fruit— Himayat from the Himayat Sagar locales where it was grown, a regal favourite Jehangir, the ripe, creamy Himampasand or the spotless Benishan. Till date mango is a favoured fruit with the people in the twin cities and across the country. The State has the benefit of early ripening in the country along with the various other types such as the Daseri, Alphonso and Langda. Only the regular varieties such as Rasalu, Benishan, Neelam and Totapari are available in the markets here, the others from over 120 expensive varieties find their way to the U.K, Middle East and other international markets.
The on-going Mango Festival 2003 at Lalita Kala Thoranam, Public Gardens, organised by Department of Tourism & Culture and Department of Horticulture, Andhra Pradesh, is an educative experience for the connoisseurs to know more about the fruit varieties. "We have been having this event for the farmers annually where the fruits brought in by farmers are judged, and prizes are given. But we wanted to bring awareness to the consumer this year. As part of the festival we are displaying the various types of mangoes apart from the mango byproducts made by farmers," says B.Dharmaja, assistant director, publicity, Department of Horticulture.
LAVISH PLATTER: King of fruits.
Thus one finds a colourful displayof mangoes. . Suvarna rekha — a fruit with a maroon blush as also the Nella mamidi— a black mango. There are several table varieties such as Benishan, the juicy Chinna and Pedda rasalu or the table cum juice variant Mallika. The expo presents mangoes sourced from different parts of the State and the country. "Dasheri is from Uttar Pradesh, Kesar is a variety from Gujarat and Alphonso is from Ratnagiri, Konkan coast. Interestingly, mangoes are known differently in different regions. For instance Totapari is known as Collector in the coastal region and Bangalora in the Rayalseema districts. To day we also have hybrids such as Neeleshan, a cross between Neelam and Benishan," says K.S. Venkatesh of K.S. Agro Farms, R.R.Districts.
TINNED DELIGHT: Mango byproducts on display.
Farm fresh mangoes have been brought for the urban market for the fare. One can buy Benishan for Rs. 15 a kilo, Mallika (Rs. 20) and Kesari (Rs.25) apart from Aamchur (dried mango), pickles and mango bars.
HOME-MADE OFFERING: Jams and jellies.
As part of the event, the Mango Kids Carnival was organised on the mango theme featuring clay modelling, fancy dress, painting and more. Be there to have a slice of the king of fruits in its splendour at the fest (9 a.m.— 8 p.m.) closing today. The entry is free.
S. F.
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