SERIES OF FLOWERS OF SIRAZ....AMALTAS

A boulevard lined on both the sides by the swirling, swinging drops of molten gold, stretching upto horizon. A delicate ,caressing carpet with exquisite patterns in lovely shades of pale yellow and fragile green. Blue sky , with glassy shine ready to jump in the welcoming arms of AMALTAS...........oh no i give up. The beauty of a scene encompassing the outrageousaly beautiful, bright yellow flowers of amaltas is beyond words.
no it's not poetry. Its for real. Every time i behold that tree laden with golden pendulous bunches of delicately fragrant flowers, swaying rhythmically i am transported to a dream land. A bubble of happiness spruts deep down somewhere inside me. Then slowing rising gush of unfathomable feeling tries to unleash it but its momentum, its intensity leaves me dumb. goldstruck..
I don't know about golden apple but i could surrender thousand heavens to hold those tender, silky golden petals of amaltas flowers

the magical impact of this outrageously beautiful tree is not only that of it's delicately fragrant golden flowers, but the gold radiates from the very being of it. I once again repeat my belief that every tree, every flower has it's own distinct personality, and amaltas is an out and out giver. Infact this tree reminds of RAJA DADHEECHI, who readily and happily donated even his bones to prepare the vajra to defeat demons.
During the hot parched summer, its cascading blooms provide us with the much needed respite to our senses. From its roots to fruits, every part has many medicinal properties, from asthma to heart deceases, from skin problems to stomach ailments, different parts of this tree can be helpful in curing all these. The pulp of the fruit is a safe puragative for pregnant women, paste of its green leaves can heal those painful cracks in sole of feet.
It's bark has tannin, which is used in leather industry. It's hard and sturdy wood is used in making furniture. It is said that amaltas wood is considered good for making bows. Ah there...i believe Kamdev must have used the wood of this tree only for carving his bow and arrows to spread the love . Atleast one of our mythological references substantiate my this belief . It is said for the first time RAJA DUSHAYANT and SHAKUNTALA met under this tree only, the romance was bound to blossom.
Refering to RAJA DUSHYANT and SHAKUNTLA, I remembered another unique love story, picturised under the blissful shade of this try, see yourself and let the magic rule...................
friends, wait patiently as the scene with the bunches of amaltas to the tune of romance starts 3.50 minutes after the beginning of the video. Till then you can let yourself wander in the realm of the soulful voice of BADE GHULAM ALI KHAN. han hhan..............but don't by any chance try to close your eyes. There is etheral beauty of MADHUBALA on the screen. Yes it is a song from MUGALEAAZAM, the eternal love story of SALIM-ANARKALI..................

The english name of amaltas is indian laburnum. The botanical name being cassia fistula. I have heard that in mumbai, there is street lined on both the sides by aaAmaltas trees .The street is called laburdun avenue. Is it still there? must be a scene to behold during flowering month. A golden oasis among barren concrete chaos. If i remember correctly in jabalpur cantt is also an AMALTAS CHOWK, dedicated to this wonderful tree .The green patches on the four sides of that circle reverbrate with the silent symphony flowing out of bright yellow sprays of amaltas, though my memory of that scene dates back to almost 24 years but it still fresh and alive.
जेठ के महीने
मधुमास
अमलतास

जलती दोपहरिया
राग मल्हार
अमलतास

चीखते सन्नाटे
बांसुरी की पुकार
अमलतास

सच कहें अपना तो
पहला प्यार
अमलतास

नहीं यह भी कविता मात्र कहने को नहीं निकले हैं शब्द, अमलतास से मेरा यह अंतरंग रिश्ता बहुत पुराना है.पन्द्रह सोलह की उम्र का दौर रहा होगा जब हमने पहली बार धूल भरे एक बड़े से मैदान के कोने मे, सुनहरे आंचल मे मुस्काते अमल्तास को देखा था औरहमे लगा था जैसे ये फ़ूल मेरे लिये हि खिले है .तब्से आज तक अमल्तास का हर पेड़, हेर फ़ूल हमे अप्ने लिये मुस्कुरता लगता है. उस पहली नज़र के प्यार की खुशी मेरी पूरी उम्र के नाम लिख गयी. सूरज की गर्मी अपने मे समा धूप के ये रेशमी फ़ूल, हर मुश्किल मे अपना आप सहेजे रखने ्की बात कहते लगते है.
हमने जब अपना घर बनाया तो मिल कर घर के सामने अमलतास का एक नन्ही पौधा रोपा था. आज उसकी स्नेह्मयी बांहे हमारे पूरे संसार को अपने मे समेटॆ रहती हैं और उसके ममतालू फ़ूल हमारे आस पास आशीर्वचनो से झरते हैं. चार साल हो गये अपनी देहरी छॊड़े ,अब भी जब अपने घर जाते है तो मोड पर पंहुचते ही सब्से पहले बांहे फ़ैलाये वही आगे आता है.

friends .......i posted this today in the morning but while trying to edit the blog got lost somewhere in transit .my problem was that i had not saved or copied it anywhere else.see ,the words listen to me but the pics and video revolt when mu is not nearby.i was feeling very restless and desperate but then the amaltas flowers flashed before me ,smiling and encouraging and i geared up myself .............so here am i with this freshly written one.nupur was the only one ,who read the earlier one before it disappeared into oblivion .nupur please ,read this one also and let me know whether i am able to capture the essence.

written in august 2008,Pune