Oranges

By Kieran

 What's in the name Orange ...

 


Original watercolor and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, as I continue exploring shadows


The fruit originated as 'nāraṅga' in the foothills of the Himalayas
And was known as 'nāranj' in Arabic and 'naranja' with nary a Spanish bias

The French dropped the 'n' not to confuse how 'une orange' sounded
The name stuck in English and Dutch as it became well grounded

But what of William I, Prince of Oranje, who revolted against Spain?
That name comes from the old Roman town Arausio where he doth reign

William III of Orange, a descendant became King of the British Isles
Color Orange became the banner of Protestanism like the Nederlandophile

Comments

Anonymous said…
So informative, all in rhyme and verse!!
Viva La 🍊 (WhatsApp comment from a very dear English school teacher)
February 3, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Kieran said…
Thank you Barbara. It surely must’ve been the excellent teachers in school ❣️ - Kieran
February 3, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Anonymous said…
For me, it was a highlight in California! My brother's wife had grafted three or four varieties in the same tree and it was a mind blowing experience to actually pick and eat them off the tree what a beautiful sight it is all over the place !
I also had yuzu marmalade, which was one of the most refined orange flavour too. (WhatsApp comment from an XLRI classmate)
February 3, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Kieran said…
You are absolutely right about the unexpected delights of grafting

All citrus trees are mutually compatible but the root stock has to be a robust orange for a successful cocktail graft

The scions can be a wide variety from sweet mandarins, to sour yuzu and even Buddha’s hands 😊 - Kieran
February 3, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Anonymous said…
Very informative! (WhatsApp comment from an artistic friend in Pune)
February 4, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Kieran said…
Thanks Ajay. I try to make my artwork more than eye candy 😊 - Kieran
February 4, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Anonymous said…
Aaha , that's how the name Orange originated ! (WhatsApp comment from a schoolfriend in Pune)
February 4, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Kieran said…
There’s an interesting twist, why in Urdu and Hindi we use a different word for orange that sounds very different from the Sanskrit: nāraṅga (नारङ्ग)

But in Hindi we say santra (संतरा), why??
It came via more recent trade of the sweet fruit from the scientific name “Citrus sinensis” — literally “Chinese citrus” so sīnī / sīntarā :
In Urdu: santra (سنترہ)
In Hindi: santra (संतरा)
- Kieran
February 4, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Anonymous said…
👍🏼 'Narangi' in Sanskrit means "orange," and it refers to both the fruit and the colour. Up North, it's used for the 🍊 (WhatsApp comment from a dear schoolfriend in Pune)
February 4, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Kieran said…
Indeed, Kevin. There is a very interesting theory about the colour orange - until late 18th century there was no stable combination for orange. It was always mixed when needed so it didn’t need a name. As painting became more sophisticated and wide spread we found ways to store orange color paint which naturally was called orange - Kieran
February 4, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Anonymous said…
You've done research too. (WhatsApp comment from a very appreciative friend in Pune)
February 4, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Kieran said…
I try to make my artwork both entertaining and informative. Glad you liked it 🙏🏼 - Kieran
February 4, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Anonymous said…
The bowl is filled with sunshine and warmth. Good job, Uncle Kieran. Do you guys make fennel and orange salad with your oranges? That’s another image of warmth that I have. I once attended an Italian cooking class where we made that. But sadly I don’t have the recipe anymore. If I find it, I will send it to you. (WhatsApp comment from a very thoughtful niece in Edmonton, Canada)
February 4, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Kieran said…
Thanks Mimi. It’s orange season here so I felt inspired. No haven't tried orange and fennel salad. Sounds delicious, do send the recipe you like - Kieran
February 4, 2026 at 6:19 PM
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