India - Kerala - Preparation for planting rice

India - Kerala - region Anjegno - Rice transplanting

The fruits and leaves of the true pepper plant (Piper nigrum). Depending on the time of harvest and processing method, this tropical vine yields the familiar black, green, white, and red peppercorns. Green pepper: Harvested unripe and either pickled fresh or quickly dried. Black pepper: Also harvested green, but ferments during slow drying in the sun, causing the skin to wrinkle and turn black. - 1990

The berries have changed color from green to yellow to red and are practically ripe. Each berry contains a single peppercorn. The deep-green, lanceolate leaves are alternate, and the winged stem encircles the strongly branched shoot. White pepper: Fully ripe, red berries are harvested for this. After soaking in water, the outer pulp is removed, leaving only the light-colored seed. - 1990

Pepper harvest in the Cardamom Hills near Thekkadi, a small town in the southwestern Indian state of Kerala. The slopes of these hills are sparsely covered with deciduous trees, whose trunks are enveloped by the dense foliage of the pepper bushes. Pepper is a climbing plant that—much like wild grapevines or ivy—grows upward on trees and rock faces using its tough, supple tendrils and adhesive aerial roots. To harvest the long clusters of pepper berries, the picker uses a sturdy bamboo pole—on which he has trimmed the side shoots to the width of a step—as a ladder. – 1990

A large quantity of ginger (Zingiber officinale) is poured out of a jute sack onto the ground. The ginger roots (rhizomes) are cleaned, often peeled, and dried in the sun. Ginger is used as an aromatic cooking spice, as a base for ginger tea, or is valued in traditional medicine for its medicinal properties. – Kerala – Calicut – 1990

Cardamom fields cover the mountains of the same name, which stretch inland for over 300 kilometers along the Malabar Coast in the Indian state of Kerala. Like most spices, cardamom requires a very hot and humid climate. It grows best in humus-rich soil in the shade of large evergreen trees. It prefers marshy locations and even proximity to a watercourse. The underground rootstock is a tuberous rhizome with fleshy roots from which reed-like above-ground stems grow. Each of these produces lance-shaped, 30-centimeter-long sheathing leaves. This term refers to leaves that partially envelop the stem on which they grow. Other, shorter stems bear small flowers at their base. These are greenish-white or purplish-violet and grow near the ground in two or three clusters, varying in length between 20 and 50 centimeters. When ripe, these flowers form egg-shaped fruits or capsules. - 1990

Freshly harvested green cardamom pods (Elettaria cardamomum) being sorted before the drying process. Cardamom belongs to the ginger family and is considered one of the most expensive spices in the world, after saffron and vanilla. When fresh, the spindle-shaped pods are plump, a vibrant green, and still have the small brown stems by which they hung from the plant’s inflorescence. It is only through the subsequent drying process that they acquire their characteristic, slightly wrinkled texture, familiar from the spice rack. – 1990

Cardamom is considered the third most expensive spice in the world, after saffron and vanilla. It is prized for its complex, aromatic flavour and is used in a variety of ways. Cardamom is an essential ingredient in curries, teas (such as masala chai), desserts and baked goods worldwide. In traditional medicine, it is valued for its digestive and anti-inflammatory properties. – Kerala – Calicut – 1990

The photo shows a large quantity of green cardamom (whole pods). Cardamom belongs to the ginger family and is one of the finest spices in the world. These dried fruits are known for their sweet and spicy aroma. It is one of the most expensive spices in the world, as the capsules are harvested primarily by hand. Cardamom is widely used in curries, Middle Eastern dishes, baked goods, or to enhance the flavor of coffee and tea. – 1990

The Kappad Reef on the Malabar Coast, four kilometres north of Calicut (now Kozhikode). It was here that Vasco da Gama became the first Portuguese man to set foot on Indian soil on 20 May 1498. In the years that followed, in their quest for spices and other treasures of the Orient, the Portuguese would extend their conquests as far as Indonesia and also gain a foothold in southern China. – 1990

The Malabar Coast at Vizhinjam Beach, twenty kilometres south of Trivandrum, the capital of the south-western Indian state of Kerala. On the beach, overlooked by a lighthouse, fishermen lay out their nets to dry. – 1990

A zebu pulls a traditional cart (also known as a bullock cart), heavily laden with coir rope. At that time, such carts were an essential means of transport for agricultural produce and goods. – Trivandrum (now Thiruvananthapuram) – 1990

This man is carrying a huge load of coconut fibre on his head. This scene is typical of rural areas in South Asia, particularly in India or Sri Lanka. The fibrous material is obtained from the outer husk of coconuts. Coconut fibre is a versatile natural product. It is used to make ropes, mats, brushes and even for soil improvement in agriculture. – Kerala – 1990

A sturdy wooden cart with large, iron-rimmed spoked wheels, drawn by two white oxen. It is heavily laden with numerous jute sacks, which probably contain grain, rice or other agricultural produce. – Kollam, near Trivandrum (now Thiruvananthapuram) – 1990

An impressive image that illustrates an extraordinary feat of physical strength. This man is balancing a large number of metal barrels on his head as he walks down a street. Even though the barrels are presumably empty, the volume and weight of the metal place a massive strain on his neck and back. – Trivandrum (now Thiruvananthapuram) – Kerala – 1990

A fascinating moment capturing the coexistence of tradition and modernity in India. It depicts a street scene typical of the country’s rural regions or smaller towns, where old and new modes of transport share the same space. The yellow lorry is a classic model from Tata Motors, recognisable by its distinctive logo. These vehicles are often artistically decorated with colourful patterns or religious symbols. In direct contrast to this is the traditional cart in the foreground. The driver sits calmly amongst his cargo, whilst the heavily laden oxen plough their way forward – a sight that has scarcely changed for centuries. - Kollam (Quilon) - Near Trivandrum (now Thiruvananthapuram) - 1990

The town of Quilon lies sixty kilometres north of Trivandrum, the capital of the south-western Indian state of Kerala, on the Malabar Coast. The planters still often transport their spice harvests – mainly pepper, chilli and cardamom – to the buyers in the town using old-fashioned ox-drawn carts. From Quilon, the sacks of spices are transported by lorry to Kerala’s main port, Cochin, situated 120 kilometres to the north, from where they are shipped all over the world. – 1990

This photograph shows a boat-building workshop in the backwaters region of Kollam (Quilon) in Kerala, India. It depicts wooden fishing boats that have been pulled ashore on rails for maintenance work. A distinctive feature of the region are the dense groves of palm trees in the background, which are typical of Kerala’s waterways. – Journey to Allepey – 1990

The famous Chinese fishing nets (known locally as Cheena vala) in Fort Kochi (Cochin), a historic coastal town in the Indian state of Kerala. These unique structures are stationary lift nets that are permanently installed on land. They are considered a landmark of the region and are a defining feature of the Malabar Coast. It is believed that the nets were introduced to the coast by Chinese merchants in the 13th or 14th century. The nets are attached to large wooden or bamboo structures. To operate them, four or more fishermen are often required to lower the net into the water and pull it back up using counterweights (often stones or sandbags). – 1990

In the backwaters of Kerala, fishermen use very narrow, traditional wooden boats (known as vallams) and often steer them through lagoons and canals whilst standing, using long poles, as seen here on the Poothotta River near Cochin – 1990

A scene from one of the most historic and bustling commercial hubs in Kozhikode (Calicut), Kerala. Hand-pulled carts remain an integral part of logistics in the market’s narrow alleys to this day. Whilst modern lorries bring goods into the city, these workers – often referred to as ‘coolies’ – handle the final distribution to the warehouses. The jute sacks on the cart most likely contain rice, dried fruit or spices, the typical goods traded in this district. – 1990

As the streets in Kumily’s market districts are often narrow and bustling, traders rely on the tremendous strength of manual labourers to transport goods to the warehouses. The sacks often contain valuable goods such as cardamom, pepper or cinnamon, which are harvested from the surrounding plantations of Kumily and Thekkady. Kumily is regarded as the region’s most important spice trading centre. – Kerala – 1990

The ‘R.D. Drug House’ is a well-known pharmaceutical retailer in the historic district of Mattancherry in Kochi (formerly Cochin), Kerala. The elaborately designed blue wooden door is a classic example of the blend of colonial and regional styles found in Mattancherry. Many of these old buildings originally served as spice warehouses. In India, pharmacies or wholesalers of medicines are often referred to as ‘Drug Houses’. – 1990

This woman from Cochin wears a distinctive red dot on her forehead, known as a bindi. Originally a symbol of the ‘third eye’ and spiritual protection in Hinduism, it is now often worn as a fashion accessory. The teardrop shape is a classic style. She is wearing gold earrings with delicate detailing and a red garment, likely a sari or a dupatta. – 1990

Market stall in Kochi (Cochin), Kerala. Such detailed displays of pulses, grains and seeds are characteristic of the city’s historic market districts. The bowls contain typical staple foods of Kerala: pulses (various types of lentils (dal), chickpeas, mung beans and pigeon peas), cereals (various types of rice, maize and millet) and seeds (coriander seeds, mustard seeds and cumin). – 1990

At a market stall in Calicut, large jute sacks filled with bright red, dried chillies – a common sight in many Asian markets – are on display. – 1990

That’s a rather creative and improvised bicycle horn! It consists of an old, circularly curved metal horn that has been attached to the handlebars and the frame of the bicycle with string. A rubber ball wrapped in fabric was attached to the end of the horn and sealed with a red rubber band. It’s a great example of ‘Jugaad’ – an Indian term that stands for creative problem-solving with limited resources. – Found at the market in Calicut – 1990

A freshly harvested ginger plant (Zingiber officinale). Shown here are the underground rhizome (the root tuber) and the long, green stems with lanceolate leaves. The tuber is the most commonly used part of the plant. Freshly harvested ginger has a very light, fine and thin skin, which often has purple hues. The harvest season begins when the above-ground parts of the plant start to die back. – Kerala – Kumily – 1990

A worker empties a jute sack of ginger roots onto a large tarpaulin to sort them or dry them further. Scenes like this are typical of the historic spice warehouses and factories in Calicut, which are renowned for their centuries-old spice trade. – 1990

A large quantity of ginger (Zingiber officinale) is poured out of a jute sack onto the ground. The ginger roots (rhizomes) are cleaned, often peeled, and dried in the sun. Ginger is used as an aromatic cooking spice, as a base for ginger tea, or is valued in traditional medicine for its medicinal properties. – Kerala – Calicut – 1990

Freshly harvested turmeric root (botanical name Curcuma longa), also known as yellow root. The plant forms underground rhizomes, which have a characteristic, intense yellow to orange colour on the inside. Turmeric belongs to the ginger family and resembles ginger root in appearance, but is usually smaller and more intensely coloured. The strong colouring comes mainly from the substance curcumin. – Kerala – Kumily – 1990

The well-known curry powder is a blend of turmeric, cardamom, pepper, paprika, coriander and other aromatic ingredients, the composition of which varies in India depending on the region, caste and dish. In Kerala, the mixture is traditionally prepared using a stone hand mill. - 1990

A cardamom field in the Cardamom Hills, which stretch over three hundred kilometres inland from Kerala, running parallel to the Malabar Coast. Like most spices, the cardamom plant requires a hot, humid climate. It thrives in humus-rich but marshy soil, in the shade of evergreen trees. The rootstock consists of a sturdy tuber and fleshy roots, from which reed-like stems sprout, bearing lanceolate leaves up to fifty centimetres long that clasp the stem. The flowering shoots are shorter and form spikes up to fifty centimetres long near the ground, bearing greenish-white to purplish-violet flowers. These develop into egg-shaped fruits or capsules. – 1990

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) originates from southern India and Sri Lanka and belongs to the ginger family. In India, it is grown particularly in the states of Kerala (e.g. in the Idukki district) and Tamil Nadu, in shaded gardens or plantations. The pod-like fruits are harvested by hand when they turn a bright green colour. Each pod contains small black seeds inside, which are responsible for the intense aroma. Cardamom is one of the world’s most valuable spices and is often referred to as ‘green gold’ due to its significance. – Kerala – 1990

This man is holding a bowl of fresh green cardamom pods. Cardamom is considered the third most expensive spice in the world, after saffron and vanilla. It is prized for its complex, aromatic flavour and is used in a variety of ways. Cardamom is an essential ingredient in curries, teas (such as masala chai), desserts and baked goods worldwide. In traditional medicine, it is valued for its digestive and anti-inflammatory properties. – Kerala – Calicut – 1990

Cardamom is considered the third most expensive spice in the world, after saffron and vanilla. It is prized for its complex, aromatic flavour and is used in a variety of ways. Cardamom is an essential ingredient in curries, teas (such as masala chai), desserts and baked goods worldwide. In traditional medicine, it is valued for its digestive and anti-inflammatory properties. – Kerala – Calicut – 1990

A woman manually sorting green cardamom pods in Thekkady, Kerala. The pods are sorted by size and quality, often using woven baskets. Premium quality is frequently marketed as ‘Handpicked Excellence’. – 1990

Women from Thekkady in Kerala sort and clean cardamom pods by hand. They use traditional, flat wicker baskets to ‘winnow’ the cardamom or sort it by hand according to size and colour. Green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is regarded as the ‘queen of spices’ and is grown in the cooler mountainous regions of southern India, known as the Cardamom Hills. Harvesting and subsequent cleaning are carried out almost entirely by hand, making cardamom one of the world’s most expensive spices after saffron and vanilla. – 1990

A young woman stands in the entrance hall of a house next to an impressive, intricately carved wooden door. The door features a detailed pattern comprising several panels, each decorated with a circular sun wheel motif. – Kerala – Thekaddy – 1990

The portrait of the young woman in the doorway is an example of Maximilien Bruggmann’s sensitive portrait photography. The photograph was taken in Thekkady, in the Indian state of Kerala, in 1990.

This lively, traditional fruit and vegetable stall was photographed in Murukkady, in the state of Kerala. Clusters of bananas hang from the ceiling. Various fruits and vegetables are piled high in the woven baskets. The classic black men’s bicycle in the foreground is a typical means of transport for traders and customers alike. – 1990

A powerful image capturing three generations in a moment of everyday life. The women are wearing clothing typical of rural areas such as Murukkady in Kerala. The younger woman is wearing a classic red sari with a floral pattern. The child has a bindi on her forehead and is wearing black bracelets – traditional symbols often worn for protection or for cultural reasons. – 1990

Three children, probably siblings, in a rural, green setting. The bindi dots on their foreheads and their style of dress suggest they are from the Murukkady area. – Kerala – 1990

Murukkady in Kerala is widely known for its extensive spice and coffee plantations. The region offers ideal conditions for growing a variety of crops. Here, a woman is picking coffee; both Arabica and Robusta varieties are grown here. Visitors to Murukkady can witness the entire process, from the harvesting of the coffee cherries to their processing. As well as coffee, the area is famous for pepper and cardamom, whose scent permeates the air. Cloves, ginger and turmeric are also cultivated here. – 1990

This scene is typical of the waterways in the backwaters of Kerala. The boat is a type of barge or dhow, often used to transport sand or other goods through the palm-lined canals. – Thrikkunnapuzha – 1990

This boat is a traditional vessel often referred to as a ‘Kettu Vallam’. Historically, these boats served as the ‘freight carriers’ of the backwaters, transporting goods such as rice, coconuts and sand before the advent of proper roads and railways. A characteristic feature is the sail, which is often made from simple materials such as grain sacks. The banks are densely covered with coconut palms, which is typical of this region near Thrikkunnapuzha, a picturesque coastal town in the Alappuzha district of Kerala. – 1990

The traditional boats of Kerala’s backwaters were historically used as ‘waterway lorries’ to transport goods such as rice, spices and sand. This is a Kettu Vallam from the Thrikkunnapuzha region. The boats are often characterised by hand-woven roofs made of coconut fibre and bamboo, as well as distinctive sails. – 1990

Locals in a traditional wooden boat (pirogue or canoe), used for transport and daily life on the waterways. The backwaters of Kerala in south-west India form an extensive network of lagoons, lakes, canals and rivers. The banks are lined with dense groves of palm trees, rice fields and small villages, making the backwaters a popular destination for nature lovers and those seeking relaxation. – Thrikkunnapuzha – 1990

Traditional huts with roofs made of palm fronds, situated directly alongside the waterways in the backwaters of Alleppey in Kerala. This region is famous for its extensive network of canals, rivers and lakes, lined with lush tropical vegetation and coconut palms. – 1990

These are the ingredients for a typical fish curry dish from the Malabar Coast in the south-western Indian state of Kerala. In the local dialect, Malayalam, these mackerel-like fish are called ayila. At the top left you can see coconut flakes, next to them small onions, salt, dried yellow tamarind peel, Indian pepper (ground pepper pods) and, in the middle, a brownish soy paste. Below these, from left to right, are fresh green chillies, tomatoes, a sprig of a laurel-like shrub – simply known as curry leaves in South India – and garlic. – 1990

The serious yet curious expressions on the two girls’ faces lend the photograph a profound emotional depth. The scene was captured in Thrikkunnapuzha and is typical of Kerala’s rural communities. – 1990

Portrait of a female officer of the Indian Home Guard (a voluntary auxiliary force to the police) in uniform. She is wearing a khaki-coloured uniform shirt, as is customary in various police forces in India. A silver badge is attached to her beret, featuring the Indian national emblem (Ashoka’s lion capital) at the top, above a wreath and a central, stylised bird (often interpreted as a dove of peace) with outstretched wings. She wears a bindi on her forehead and traditional Indian earrings (jhumkas). – Mahé – 1990

The posters on the wall advertise South Indian films. One of the most prominent posters (centre-right) shows scenes from the cult film *Michael Madana Kama Rajan* (1990) starring Kamal Haasan. Other posters feature films in Malayalam or Tamil. The photograph was taken in 1990. The scene also features a traditional ox-drawn cart used for transporting goods. In the foreground, a man is pulling a small handcart laden with wicker baskets, suggesting a busy street near the market in Cannanore (now Kannur).

Cannanore (now officially known as Kannur) in northern Kerala, India, is famous for this type of landscape. Here, there is a very special, traditional form of rice cultivation known as Kaipad. This involves integrated organic farming in the brackish coastal marshes. Typically, during the monsoon season, rice is grown on small mounds of earth, whilst during the drier months, aquaculture (fish and prawn farming) is often practised in the same fields. The dense groves of coconut palms lining the water-filled paddies are the hallmark of this region and make it a popular subject for landscape photography in Kerala. – 1990

Rice cultivation near Anjengo (also known as Anjuthengu), a historic coastal village in the Thiruvananthapuram district of the Indian state of Kerala. The image illustrates the traditional method of rice planting, which has been practised for centuries. Workers plant seedlings in flooded fields, a technique that is often carried out collectively. – 1990

The rice fields are flooded, which is the traditional method of rice cultivation. The water not only aids growth but also naturally suppresses weeds. A woman in a colourful sari walks along a narrow embankment that separates the individual fields. These embankments serve both as footpaths and to regulate the water level. – Kannur area – 1990

The rice fields are flooded, which is the traditional method of rice cultivation. The water not only aids growth but also naturally suppresses weeds. A woman in a colourful sari walks along a narrow embankment that separates the individual fields. These embankments serve both as footpaths and to regulate the water level. In the background, a farmer ploughs a flooded field with a plough drawn by water buffaloes. – Kannur area – 1990

A farmer ploughs a flooded field using a plough drawn by water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). The use of wooden ploughs and teams of oxen or water buffaloes is a centuries-old method that is still practised today in many rural areas. – Kannur district – 1990

This and the next photograph show the pepper berries hanging in long spikes or clusters. When harvested unripe, they are processed into green peppercorns, which are sold in tins or in brine. On the right, the berries have changed colour from green to yellow to red and are practically ripe. Each berry contains a single peppercorn. The deep green, lanceolate leaves are alternate, and the winged stalk encircles the strongly branched shoot. - Cardamom Hills in the Thekkadi area - 1990

This photograph and the previous one show the pepper berries hanging in long spikes or clusters. When harvested unripe, they are processed into green peppercorns, which are sold in tins or in brine. On the right, the berries have changed colour from green to yellow to red and are practically ripe. Each berry contains a single peppercorn. The deep green, lanceolate leaves are alternate, and the winged stalk encircles the strongly branched shoot. - Cardamom Hills in the Thekkadi area - 1990

Pepper harvesting in the Cardamom Hills near Thekkadi, a small town in the south-western Indian state of Kerala. The slopes of these hills are sparsely covered with deciduous trees, their trunks enveloped by the dense foliage of the pepper bushes. Pepper is a climbing plant which – much like wild vines or ivy – grows upwards on trees and rock faces using its tough, supple tendrils and adhesive aerial roots. To harvest the long clusters of pepper berries, the picker uses a sturdy bamboo pole, from which he has trimmed the side shoots to the width of a step, as a ladder. - 1990

The harvested pepper berries are spread out on straw mats to dry, during which time they turn grey to blackish, thus producing black pepper. White pepper is the hulled variety. Like nutmeg and cloves, pepper is mainly grown by smallholders. They deliver their harvest to buyers, who then sell it on to wholesalers. – Cardamom Hills, in the Thekkadi region – 1990

A pepper buyer in Kozhikode, formerly Calicut, on the Malabar Coast in Kerala. He collects the harvest from smallholders; here, it gradually fills the thick sacks of pepper. In the days of the Spice Route, when pepper was weighed against gold in Europe, ‘pepper sack’ became a derogatory term for wealthy spice merchants. - 1990

Santo Angelo Fort towers over the south-western Indian town of Cannanore on the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala. Unlike other fortifications, which are often left to fall into ruin, this fort, believed to date from the early 16th century, has suffered little damage. This magnificent structure still faces the sea, ready to repel any attackers. Unfortunately, its exact origin cannot be determined from the crown above the abutment. Cannanore was known for its sheltered harbour, which was already visited by Arab and Persian sailors in ancient times. – 1990

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