Every year as soon as the month of April approaches, the sound of summer starts to be heard. The sizzling winter sun starts piercing now and by the time of May-June, it turns into scorching heat. Human beings and animals also start running here and there in search of shade.
If you can find poppy syrup from somewhere in such severe heat, then what to say! It will not be less than any manna (food from heaven). Earlier, syrup made from khus used to be found in every house of common Indians. Which is made from the leaves of khus-khus i.e. vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides).
If we talk about syrup made from khus, then its effect is cold. Khus leaves reduce body heat and are rich in natural antioxidants. It also reduces inflammation of the body. Knowing the merits of khus, now a little look should be taken on the history of this wonder grass.
India’s relation with Khas is very old
Brands like Zara and Dior today use khus in their luxury perfumes. But long before this, Indians have been using this fragrant grass in their daily life. If we take a peek into the history, it will be known that India has been exporting poppy seeds for thousands of years.
In the 1st century, a portion of the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, a book on voyages by a Greek sailor, states that India was sending Vetiver in large quantities. In ancient Sangam literature written more than two thousand years ago, khas was mentioned as ‘Omligai’, which was used for bathing.
In medieval India, the Mughals had created a special department, where special fragrances were prepared for use in luxury and food. Under the royal patronage of the Mughals, the ancient city of Kannauj had emerged as the perfume capital of India. The city, situated on the banks of the river Ganges, was particularly famous for the cultivation of aromatic flowers like rose, jasmine and khus.
The famous ‘Mitti Ittra’ of Kannauj
Kannauj, for thousands of years, has been making a variety of attractive atars including the world famous ‘Mitti Ittra’. After the raindrops fall on the dry soil, the smell that comes, is just the feeling of this earthy perfume.
The Khas ‘Ruh’ of Kannauj is prized in the world of international business today. It is the basis for such iconic perfumes as Armani’s ‘Vetiver Babylon’ and Tom Ford’s ‘Grey Vetiver’. It will be interesting to know that artist-journalist Celia Littleton writes in her book ‘In the Scent Trail’, “Scientists have isolated 150 molecules from vetiver. More mysteries are yet to be unraveled from its roots.”
How did the grass of poppy seeds reach the cooler?
Vetiver’s story for Indians is not just about earthy perfumes. He is further than that. In the 90s, the Desert Cooler had identified many Indians with the grass of poppy seeds.
This was a time when air conditioning was far beyond the reach of the common middle class. Their price was very high, which was not easy to buy. At that time, coolers used to be a special choice of the people. This cooler made of iron has a water-lifting motor, a fan and poppy grass.
As soon as the cooler runs, the motor picks up the water and the poppy grass gets wet, throwing out the cool air and the whole room would get cold without the AC. The relief that one gets from the sweet smelling wind blowing through wet khus, its essence will also be found in the poetic composition of poet Bihari Lal Chaubey.
Even when the heat turns into a cold, smelling wind
Abul Fazal has written in his book ‘Ain-i-Akbari’, “The Mughal emperor Akbar himself was the first to invent the khus veil to keep cool.
To escape the heat of India, the British created thermantidotes. We can also call it the desert cooler of that time. In this, the cool air was enjoyed through a mat made of fragrant grass with the feathers of the hand. poppy mat (which was called khus ki tatti) was kept wet by sprinkling water from a bhishti.
Even today, in many areas of India, poppy curtains are put on the windows to keep the houses from hot air or say that heat. Khus is used while making thatched roof, so that the house remains cool. It also turned the summer heat into a cool, smelling breeze. Recently, sandals, caps and masks made of khus have also attracted the attention of people in Indian markets.
our historical tradition
The use of khus has been our historical tradition. From festivals to folk art, it has a special place. During the Sama Chakewa festival in the Mithila region of Bihar, women gather to sing folk songs and traditionally make dolls out of dry vetiver grass.
The people of Mithila also use vetiver stalks to make ‘sikki’ handicrafts. Sikki handicrafts is an ancient cottage industry, providing employment to many households. Actually, this art is more than 600 years old. Maithili poet Vidyapati had mentioned the plight of women collecting stalks in his poems.
The specialty of khus is not limited to this only. It has many other benefits.
to prevent soil erosion
This small plant holds the soil tightly and holds it in place. It does not contain any seeds and its long and hard roots help in forming a natural bund in the field without spreading outwards. Therefore, they are planted as fences on the boundaries of the fields or on the banks of the river.
Seeing this benefit of vetiver grass, Fiji also tried it in his fields a few decades ago. The sugarcane crop was in danger due to soil erosion. He planted this grass on the side of the field, then the soil erosion stopped. The nutrients of the soil remained in the soil and their yield was doubled. Today Fiji farmers even swear by poppy grass.
prevents soil erosion
Vetiver Network International states, “If this grass is used optimally, it can reduce soil erosion (up to 98 percent), prevent rainwater runoff, conserve it (up to 70 percent) and It can prove to be important in raising the groundwater level. At the same time, it is also ahead in cleaning the water and reducing the risk of floods and providing economic benefits to the communities.”
So the next time you’re reeling from the heat and looking to cool off, think about going back to your roots. This multifunctional grass will give you a feeling of fragrance and also get rid of the heat.
Original article: Sanchari Pal
Editing: Archana Dubey
Also read: Composting learned from The Better India and turned the terrace into a green garden
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