Oranges

By Kieran

 


Oranges


Original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2025. The artwork is a study in using complementary colours to bring out brightness. The poem is a throwback to my early childhood in Nagpur, my birthplace.

My grandfather came to Nagpur o'er ninety years ago
That started our Nagpur love story, 'lil did we know 

You get the sweetest and juiciest mandarin oranges there
The soil’s acidic, summer’s hot ‘n winter has cool air

Just before the tangy fruit ripen, the rain stops
'Tis perfect timing to ensure bumper orange crops

Since 2014, they have a GI tag to protect its name 
But its unique flavour is the real claim to fame


Comments

Anonymous said…
Those oranges from Nagpur, were too good.
I first bought a tokri full and subsequently a crate full, a story in itself. (WhatsApp comment from a close childhood friend)
July 30, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Kieran said…
The widely accepted theory is that oranges were introduced to Nagpur, India, by the Bhonsale rulers in the 18th century, during the Maratha rule. Quite interesting how far sighted they were - Kieran
July 30, 2025 at 5:24 PM
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