Abstract

The cultivation of Nendram is confined to the West Coast viz., Malabar, Cochin and Travancore. It is otherwise known as 'Eathan Kaya' (Picotta plantain) indicative of its large requirements of water, since picotta is the oldest known water lift here. On account of the attention that one has to bestow on the crop the area which each ryot puts under it is confined to a few cents for which again picotta is a convenient water lift. When the owner of the plantation is the labourer as well, it is for him a necessity to set up a picotta as the most preferable water lift for irrigation. Therefore the cultivation of Nendram Plantains, over a large area of the West coast, is closely associated with the picotta or Eatham: hence the name. Ona- vazha' a name by which it is known over a large portion of North Malabar explains the idea that it takes a prominent place for the Onam feast of the Malabar people.

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