Madurai (Tamil Nadu): Walking into the Madurai Jasmine Market is a feast for the eyes, ears and nose – there are different varieties of roses, endless heaps of jasmine, the noise of buyers and sellers and the aromatic scent of jasmine fill the market.

Madurai Mali (Madurai Jasmine) is one of the most popular flowers exported from South India. Although the fertile soil and cultivation techniques of districts like Nagercoil, Usilampatti, Dindigul, Vethalagundu play a major role in the cultivation of jasmine, what makes Madurai Malli special is the way the florets are woven together. “There is a way to weave the flowers together. It’s an art that most of us start learning before we even learn to walk. Years of practice and techniques are what make Madurai Malli so special,” says Pandi, 40, a jasmine seller.

“In the past, some professions were reserved for members of a particular caste. Likewise, jasmine weaving is an art form. Not everyone can be a ‘jasmine weaver’. It takes great passion and hard work,” says Rani, another seller of this fragrant flower.

Madurai jasmine vendors buy large quantities of the flower every day at dawn and sit together to weave the bouquets. “It’s one of the best parts of my day because I start it by talking to people. Those few hours are filled with happiness and laughter,” said a salesman. These jasmine flowers bought from neighboring districts will not lose their fragrance for the next two days, while the jasmine imported from Karnataka, called “Bangalore jasmine”, loses its fragrance by the time it reaches Madurai.

“The wedding season is one of the most beautiful and profitable seasons for us. We have maximum sales during this period. This period is not just about making a profit; it’s about how a small role we played makes someone’s special day even more special,” said a wholesale flower seller.

The wedding season is also the time in Madurai when the jasmine harvest is scarce. Since the flowers cannot be stored for a long time, there is a huge demand and a decrease in supply, leading to an increase in flower prices. The jasmine trade contributes to the city’s income.

During the wedding months, the jasmine trade faces inflation, which in turn affects the city’s economy. “The wedding seasons are the most crucial for us. It breaks our hearts when we have to fire several hopeful dads who come looking to make their daughter’s wedding day more colorful,” says Nithya Ramani, a jasmine vendor.