Sponge Banana - Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
The banana plant is the largest herbaceous flowering plant. All the above-ground parts of a banana plant grow from a structure usually called a “corm”. Plants are normally tall and fairly sturdy, and are often mistaken for trees, but what appears to be a trunk is actually a “false stem” or pseudo stem. Bananas grow in a wide variety of soils, as long as the soil is at least 60 cm deep, has good drainage and is not compacted. The leaves of banana plants are composed of a “stalk” (petiole) and a blade (lamina). The base of the petiole widens to form a sheath; the tightly packed sheaths make up the pseudo stem, which is all that supports the plant. The edges of the sheath meet when it is first produced, making it tubular. As new growth occurs in the centre of the pseudo stem the edges are forced apart. Cultivated banana plants vary in height depending on the variety and growing conditions.
Bananas are one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world for good reason. Eating them could help lower blood pressure and reduce the risks of cancer and asthma.
In some countries, bananas used for cooking may be called plantains, in contrast to dessert bananas. The fruit is variable in size, colour and firmness, but is usually elongated and curved, with soft flesh rich in starch covered with a rind which may be green, yellow, red, purple, or brown when ripe. The fruits grow in clusters hanging from the top of the plant.
Today, bananas are grown in at least 107 countries and are ranked fourth among the world's food crops in monetary value.
Kanyakumari which represents the southernmost point of the mainland of India is renowned not only for its scenic beauty and pilgrimage tourism. This land also holds the key to the world of rich cultural heritage and the glory of aesthetic traditions of the past.
Surrounded by Majestic Hills and the plains bordered by colourful sea-shores, fringed with coconut trees and paddy fields, here and there are few elevated patches of red cliffs with undulating valleys and plains between the mountainous terrain and the sea - coast, so closely interwoven with Temples and Churches and other edifices lies the district, ‘Kanyakumari’. With an area of 1672 sq.km. It occupies 1.29% of the total extent of Tamil Nadu. It ranks first in literacy among other districts in Tamil Nadu.
Their culture, religion, aptitude, habits, beliefs, talents etc. have a bearing on how the district presents itself to others. Tamil and Malayalam are the main languages of this district. Hindus and Christians form a sizeable percentage of the population of the district and there are a number of Muslims dominated belts in the district. The caste system in the Society has weakened to a great extent especially after independence because of growth of education and improvements in transport and communication. Some of the communities in the district are Nadars, Nanjil Nadu Vellalars, Paravas, Mukthavas, Vilakki Thalanayar, Kammalar or Asari, Nairs, Chackarevars, Kerala Mudalis etc.
Rice is the staple food of the rich and poor alike in the district. Some among the poorer section also use tapioca. Beverages like tea and coffee are widely spread even in to the rural area of the district. Kanyakumari district is blessed with the benevolence of nature with the numerous rivers, mountains, streams, forests and seacoast. There is great scope for promoting eco-tourism in the district as it is richly endowed with pristine and diverse forests with rich variety of flora and fauna.
Vadasery village of Kanyakumari district is the birth place of temple jewellery which was once used to adorn the deities and also royalty. While the village of Mylaudy is known for stone carving, places like Thalakulam and Chundankadai are characterised by artisans with faculty in artistic pottery. Nagercoil, Vadasery and Mylaudy are famous for their wood carvings. Edaicode, Parakkanvilai, Alanchi and Marthandam are places where generations of artisans have perfected the art of palm leaf crafts having practised the art for years. Kanyakumari and Peruvilai are known for Korai Grass mats, Palappallam and Arumanai for Coconut Shell Crafts and places like Palliyadi, Moolachal, Ettani etc. for Lace work and Embroidery.
Sponge Banana:
Toys are not just things to play with but, they can play an important role in child's physical and mental development. Toys are an excellent way to stimulate your child's intelligence. There is a wide variety of toys available, each one with its own special features. Toys that encourage children to enhance their learning skills are a great way to educate them before they begin school. Almost all toys are educational in a way.
A toy is an item that is used in play, especially one designed for such use. Playing with toys is supposed to be an enjoyable means of training young children for life in society. Different materials like wood, clay, paper, and plastic are used to make toys. Many items are designed to serve as toys, but goods produced for other purposes can also be used. For instance, a small child may fold an ordinary piece of paper into an airplane shape and ‘fly it’. Newer forms of toys include interactive digital entertainment. Some toys are produced primarily as collector's items and are intended for display only.
Toys that require children to physically move them about are called hands-on toys. For example, puzzles, jigsaws, etc. These toys promote hand-eye co-ordination. They also encourage problem-solving skills by allowing them to take things apart and put them back together. They learn to make different items out of basic materials. This is a stepping-stone to developing reading and writing skills, where they will learn to form different sentences using the same words. Stuffed animals, dolls, and other figures are geared towards expanding children’s imagination. If a child is playing in a group, it also teaches him/her to co-operate with him/her peers as well as the value of listening to other people's opinions. Playing with toys is an introductory phase of a child's academic life. The most expensive toys are not always the best though. Toys are truly beneficial only when they appeal to a child and match his/her abilities.
Sponge Banana toy is a speciality made in Kaladivilai, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District by senior artisan A.E Muthu and his team. Toys like Sponge Banana which is made of different kinds of art materials stimulate children to explore their creative side. Toys allow them to have pretend play sessions, wherein a child can make their own story and play. They also learn and interact better as they can physically feel the toy and the imitation is almost as real. Playing with them encourages children to explore their environment and go beyond what they already know.
