In 2008 Kaleem Ullah Khan, a 57 year old artist, was awarded one of Indian’s highest civilian awards- the Padmashri- for his mango growing experiment. The artist was able to grow over 300 varieties of mangoes in different shapes, colors, and sizes- all on one tree!
Mr. Khan inherited the mango grove, found in Malihabad (Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh), from his father and began work on the tree in 1987. The area is widely known for the Dusseri variety of mangoes but Khan didn’t want to grow just one type. So now, from his 14-acre orchard, mangoes are boxed in crates and sold across the country and even exported to the Gulf countries.
He hopes to live on even after his death, through his flourishing and carefully cultivated mango tree, which is over 100 years old.
From the Grin News article:
“Khan names the mangoes fondly after his family members — the heart shaped variety Asl-ul-Muqarrar, the bright red Husn-e-Ara, the Khas-ul-Khas and so on.
Popularly called the Mango Maharaja, Khan will awe you with his knowledge on mangoes. He recognizes every single variety from the way it looks and smells. For instance, he explained to Grin News the story behind Anarkali, the latest variety in his collection of mangoes,
‘Anarkali has a double skin. Orange is the first layer. But as you may a deeper stroke within, you are exposed to its second yellow coloured skin. But that’s not all — its taste adds to its exclusivity. At first it tastes like the Chausa variety of mango — but soon enough you will be filled with Chausa and Lakhnavi Dusseri mango flavours. This is because Anarkali comes from the flowers of two distinct varieties of mangoes that were crossbred.’
Each and every day, hundreds of prospective buyers and tourists come to visit the orchard and Khan makes sure to speak to each one. His kindness, love, and hospitality have earned him much respect. In fact, his mangos are so revered that within 15 days of harvest , all of his produce has been sold.
Source: Grin News
