Mangoes, The Essential Ingredient In Childhood Memories

A mango moment

Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan recently had a hilarious encounter with a fan who had claimed to have brought mangoes from his hometown of Ghaziabad for the actor. Aaryan, who was in New Delhi to promote his recently released film ‘ Chandu Champion ,’ shared a video on Instagram showing a fan who had been waiting to get a picture with the actor. When Aaryan asked for the mangoes, the fan admitted, “Sir mai khaa gaya aapka wait karte karte. (Sir, I ate them while waiting for you.)” making the actor and his entourage laugh.

That’s usually the effect the mention of mangoes has on people – a warm fuzzy feeling that brings smiles to faces.

Mangoes, often hailed as the “king of fruits,” hold a special place among fruit lovers. Their golden flesh and intoxicating aroma evoke memories of sun-drenched summers and simpler times. For many, the sight, smell, and taste of mangoes can instantly transport them back to nostalgia-riddled moments from their childhood.

Memories of mangoes

For septuagenarian Soumen Gupta, a retired businessman from Kolkata, mangoes remind him of his childhood, summer afternoons with friends and cousins, and the occasional tiger-sighting!

Raised in a joint family in Hoogly’s Guptipara , Gupta claims their mango orchards grew a dazzling variety of fruit – from the aromatic Champa to the tiny Fazli, from which one could drink straight from the fruit. His family’s orchard grew the Rani, named by Raja Prasanna Narayan Deb, Dewan of Nizamat Qilla, Murshidabad.

“Summers were the time, when we would generally while away the afternoons in the ‘aam bagan’ orchards tasting fruits from one tree to another. Nowadays when we rue the cost of mangoes – they have become extremely expensive – I am reminded of those innocent times when we would not even finish one fruit before running off to another tree to taste what it had to offer. Each year, one tree or one variety would often bear tastier fruits from the others – how did that happen still manages to amaze me.”

The mango experience

According to Gupta, mangoes are more than just some fruit; they are an experience. The tactile pleasure of peeling a ripe mango, the vibrant hues of its skin, and the burst of sweetness in each bite offer sensory delights that leave a lasting impression. This sensory symphony, explains Gupta, is often intertwined with memories of family gatherings, childhood mischief, and the joys of seasonal abundance.

For many, the aroma of a ripe mango instantly recalls warm, lazy afternoons spent under the shade of a tree, the laughter of cousins and siblings, and the gentle hum of summer insects. The first bite, with its perfect balance of sweet and tart, can bring back memories of sticky fingers and mango juice dripping down chins, a testament to the pure, unadulterated joy of childhood.

An tiger encounter

But for Gupta, mangoes also remind him of his close encounter with a tiger. “Back when we were children, Guptipara was notorious for its tigers. I remember once, right before the summer holidays started, a few of us friends from middle school had gone foraging in the orchards for mangoes. As we approached a denser area of the orchard, we heard what seemed to be suckling sounds from behind a bush. As we tiptoed closer, a majestic, and scary sight greeted us. Resting beneath the boughs of a mighty mango tree was a female tiger, sleeping peacefully, while her cubs nursed, unaware of our presence.” The friends made their escape silently, says Gupta, “… “not that it deterred us from pillaging the orchard the next day.”

The story of mangoes

Many writers and poets have captured the essence of mangoes and the nostalgia they evoke. In R.K. Narayan’s “Swami and Friends,” the protagonist’s adventures are often intertwined with the seasonal abundance of mangoes, symbolizing the innocence and simplicity of childhood.

In ancient Indian poetry, the mango tree is often depicted as a meeting place for lovers, its lush foliage providing a canopy under which sweet nothings are exchanged. The fruit also appears in numerous folk tales and legends. One popular story involves the poet-saint Kalidasa, who was said to have been inspired to compose his masterpiece, “Meghaduta” (The Cloud Messenger) while sitting under a mango tree. In another tale, the Mughal emperor Akbar is said to have planted a mango orchard with 100,000 trees, known as “Lakhi Bagh,” showcasing his appreciation for the fruit.

The universal language of mangoes

In India, mangoes are more than just a fruit; they are a symbol of summer, a harbinger of joy, and a treasure trove of memories.

Despite the cultural differences in how they are enjoyed and celebrated, mangoes are an essential ingredient of childhood memories – whether it’s the memory of a grandmother’s mango pickle, the exciting first mango of the season, or the simple pleasure of sharing a mango with a loved one, mangoes connect us to our past.

Their rich flavor and cultural significance make mangoes more than just a seasonal delight. They are a poignant reminder of the past, a symbol of shared experiences, and a testament to the simple joys of life.

Image by Bishnu Sarangi from Pixabay

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