Tuberose






A flower. A song. 

Not first. Not rose.


Some call it tuberose, some jasmine.

It blooms at night and fills the entire atmosphere with its fragrance.


Reminds me walking through the lanes of Matunga, Mumbai amidst South Indian temples, looking at the Nalli's saree shop and suddenly the waft of mixed aroma of freshly fried banana chips with that of roses and jasmine transported one to South of India. Having many beautiful temples nestled near each other, there is always a sense of being in presence of divinity and serenity. Peace amidst the chaos of a busy market. Right in the middle of that hustle and bustle, its a bliss to find a flower market and watch florists making beautiful and intricate garlands for weddings, poojas, decorations and for personal use- some entirely made of roses.


"Ye Lai Xiang" means evening fragrance; probably named after some variety of flower that blooms at night. For me its similar to Jasmine - Nishigandha/Rajanigandha without going in technical details. #OfcourseAfailedflorist (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agave_amica)

Although once a friend had asked me what should they name their greenhouse/florist shop!


Is this song about the night-flower or about missing someone dear with the smell of evening fragrance?



Chinese-English Lyrics:



Na nan feng chui lai qing liang

The southern breeze is fresh and cool Na ye ying ti sheng qi chuang

The nightingale’s cry is sad Yue xia de hua er dou ru meng

Beneath the moon the flowers have fallen asleep to dream Zhi you na ye lai xiang tu lu zhe fen fang

only the night jasmine (is awake), releasing beautiful fragrance that fills the air

Wo ai zhe ye se mang mang

I love this boundless dark and misty night Ye ai zhe ye ying ge chang,

and I love the nightingales song

Geng ai na hua yi ban de meng,

most of all I love the fragrant floral dream Yong bao zhe ye lai xiang.

I embrace the night jasmine Wen zhe ye lai xiang,

I kiss the night jasmine



Ye lai xiang, wo wei ni ge chang,

Night jasmine I sing for you Ye lai xiang, wo wei ni si liang,

Night jasmine I think of you Ah ah ah... Wo wei ni ge chang,

I sing for you Wo wei ni si liang.

I think of you

Courtesy: https://colourfulthreads.co/2014/04/16/random-snapshot-夜來香-tonkin-jasmine/







#Olfaction-Affection #FlowerFail

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