Stirring the heart with romance, nostalgia, and hope, the flower show at Chennai's Semmozhi Poonga is the place to be this Valentine's Day!
If you're on the lookout for a getaway with your special someone this Valentine's Day, the flower show is the place to be. (South First/Roshne Balasubramanian)
“I’m feeling shy, Mani! Can you snap a quick picture of me?”
Sixty-year-old Manjula Manivannan hurriedly approaches a giant installation of love swans adorned with flowers. Manivannan, a 70-year-old retired banker, balances his walker with one hand as he takes a picture of Manjula. While the image of Manjula may be slightly out of focus, it doesn’t dampen her spirits. She’s content. The pair then capture a selfie with the love swans in the backdrop before moving on to an elephant flower installation nearby.
I am at Chennai’s Semmozhi Poonga, a 20-acre botanical garden established in 2010. Taking inspiration from Dubai’s Miracle Garden, this botanical haven has now been transformed with 12 lakh plants for a live flower show. The event, hosted by the Horticulture Department in honour of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi’s birth centenary, was inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Minister of Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Udhayanidhi Stalin, on Saturday, and will remain open to visitors until 20 February.
Among the diverse array of flowers, including red and white Carnations, Tulip Iris, Roses, Gerberas, Liliums, Dahlias, Geranium, Gloxinia, Orchids, Pansy, and Phlox, I encounter numerous stories of love – some blossoming, others nurtured over time.
“For 45 years now, we’ve been on this beautiful journey together. After tying the knot, we discovered our shared passion for flowers and vowed to explore every garden we encountered on our travels. The botanical gardens of Bengaluru and Ooty hold a special place in our hearts,” shares Manjula with a smile.
This botanical haven has now been transformed with 12 lakh plants for the live flower show. (South First/Roshne Balasubramanian)
“To celebrate our 45th anniversary this year, we’re planning a trip to Kashmir. They say March-April is when the valley comes alive with flowers in full bloom!” adds Manivannan, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Stepping into a flower show in Chennai for the first time, the duo seem to be pleasantly surprised by the display. “We had no idea what to expect, but we’re absolutely thrilled by the surprises we’ve stumbled upon here,” says Manivannan.
Amid a fragrant bed of sampangi flowers, Manjula fondly shares, “I’m deeply connected to nature and spirituality. Each week, I carefully gather sampangi flowers, weaving them into garlands as offerings to God. And you know what makes it truly special? Mani has been my partner in this ritual since the early days of our marriage. As the younger generation calls it, he’s like my own ‘walking green flag’,” she laughs.
At the flower show, we encountered numerous stories of love – some blossoming, others nurtured over time. (South First/Roshne Balasubramanian)
With his walker in hand, Mani gently drapes an arm around Manjula’s shoulder. “I always remind her not to make a fuss about it. I think when women do that, it tends to make men complacent, only doing what’s expected,” he shares.
As the afternoon sun starts to scorch, casting a golden hue over the botanical garden, the duo shares a final dose of wisdom before bidding us adieu.
“In a partnership, it’s vital to remember that your significant other is human too,” says Manivannan. “Grant each other the gift of space and understanding, and above all, cultivate the art of truly listening to one another. In these moments, the seeds of deeper love and harmony are sown,” adds Manjula.
As we stroll through the poonga, delighting in the various installations and offerings, we come across a heart-shaped entryway where Vembunathan and Hemalatha stand. Holding hands, the couple appears hesitant to pass through the arches. “Vaange polam (Come, let’s go),” we hear Hemalatha say to Vembu, encouragingly. With her words spurring them on, they venture hand in hand through the archways.
We approach them. After a moment of hesitation, they open up and share their story with us. “We’ve been married for over 40 years now. A few years ago, our son moved abroad, leaving us with empty nest syndrome. Since then, we’ve decided to explore new places and gain new experiences,” Vembunathan shares.
Semmozhi Poonga is a 20-acre botanical garden established in 2010. (South First/Roshne Balasubramanian)
Both retired teachers, the duo has been actively exploring the city since 2022. “We were confined indoors during the pandemic, but our son made sure we stayed safe. Once things settled down, we made a bucket list of activities. Thank god, we survived the pandemic! Otherwise, these flowers would have been on our graves!” Vembu laughs.
Hemalatha shakes her head. “He’s always like this, with his dark sense of humour,” she says. “But it’s true; we’ve not only survived but thrived. We’re relishing every moment, attending events and visiting places within the city limits.”
“Despite our physical limitations, we still find ways to enjoy ourselves,” Hema shares with a smile. “We may not be able to travel extensively, but we keep ourselves informed by reading newspaper listings. Whenever there’s a concert, drama, or expo that piques our interest, we make it a point to attend. In fact, not long ago, we even took a cab to Mahabalipuram!”
Vembu nods in agreement. “Yes, Mahabalipuram holds a special place in our hearts. We used to visit it frequently in the early days of our marriage. After our son was born, we managed to squeeze in a couple more visits. But then, life’s responsibilities took over, and we got caught up in the day-to-day realities,” he reflects.
“Do people have to shelve their dreams until everything’s ‘settled’?” we inquire. “Absolutely not! Many from our generation were raised with certain expectations and responsibilities. But today’s youth are challenging those norms, living life on their own terms. We applaud them for it!” they reply.
Observing a group of young couples stroll beneath the heart-shaped arch, Vembu turns to Hemalatha. “Don’t they remind you of us?” he remarks. Blushing slightly, Hemalatha replies, “When we tied the knot, neither of us was particularly thrilled. I harboured dreams of globetrotting, and for him, marriage wasn’t initially a top priority either. But as the years passed, we discovered love and companionship in each other’s company. Now, as we walk beneath this floral heart in our 60s, I have no regrets.”
The array of flowers includes red and white Carnations, Tulip Iris, Roses, Gerberas, Liliums, Dahlias, and Pansy. (South First/Roshne Balasubramanian)
With hands intertwined, the couple continues their journey through the archway, heading towards a lush bed of marigolds.
As we soak ourselves in the tales of these senior citizens, our reverie is abruptly interrupted by a spirited debate.
“Chrysanthemums are far more beautiful than sunflowers,” asserts one voice confidently. “Absolutely not!” counters another voice with equal fervour. Beneath the shade of a sprawling tree, Aabid Hussain and Priya, both thirty years old, engage in a discussion about the superiority of one flower over the other.
Aabid, who works at a media house, favours chrysanthemums, while Priya, a software professional, champions sunflowers. Yet, these contrasting opinions haven’t diminished their love for each other. “We are childhood sweethearts,” says Priya.
“He knows exactly how to push my buttons and tease me until I get annoyed,” she admits with a playful smile.
The show is hosted by the Horticulture Department in honour of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi’s birth centenary. (South First/Roshne Balasubramanian)
Aabid interjects, “Hey, but isn’t that what keeps the spark alive in a relationship? One of us plays the role of the ‘annoyer’, while the other plays the role of the ‘annoyee’!” We all share a collective laugh at his remark, understanding the playful dynamics of their relationship.
“Many people question why we’re in our thirties and still unmarried. But we’re in no rush,” says Aabid. “We’ve been living together for five years now, and thankfully, our parents have been incredibly supportive.”
“The foundation of our relationship is built on mutual respect and understanding,” Aabid explains. “It’s not just about debating over flowers; we have differing opinions in other aspects of life too. But we navigate through them and are always respectful of each other’s worldviews. Over time, we’ve learned to find a middle ground that works for both of us.”
When asked about the secret to their bond, the couple shares a moment before reflecting on their relationship. Priya, despite teasing Aabid for being “annoying,” emphasises his exceptional empathy. “Deep down, he’s one of the most empathetic individuals I’ve ever met. That’s what truly matters to me,” she explains.
Meanwhile, Aabid, with a mischievous glint in his eye, gives her the “puppy eyes”. “Stop it,” she laughs, pushing him away affectionately.
Reflecting on their journey together, Aabid shares, “A year into dating, I knew she was the one. She has this amazing ability to light up any room she enters, and being with her feels effortless. In a world filled with challenges, we should have relationships that are our safe haven. I like to believe that we are each other’s safe place.”
The couple, experiencing a rough day at work, made a spontaneous decision to call it quits for the day. “We decided to take some time off and come here to the flower show — though, admittedly, only to argue about which flower is better!” Aabid laughs.
A variety of blooms are on display. (South First/Roshne Balasubramanian)
“So, is there a final consensus on which flower is better?” we inquire.
“Well, it doesn’t really matter, does it? They’re all beautiful in their own way!” the couple replies in unison.
They make their way to a pottery stall. “We love getting our hands dirty!” they exclaim, eager to try out a new skill together.
Amid the various attractions at the flower show, including face-painting stalls, pottery workshops, and bouquet demonstrations, several artists have also been drawn to the event, finding inspiration in the blooming flowers.
One such creative is Manikandan, a 25-year-old independent artist. We find him engrossed in sketching a periwinkle flower. However, upon closer inspection of his canvas, another figure, in a summery dress, emerges next to the delicate flower.
“I wanted to create something special for my girlfriend this Valentine’s Day,” Manikandan explains. “When I heard about the flower show, I knew it would be the perfect place to find inspiration. As I started sketching and painting, I realised the perfect gift would be to capture her in this setting.”
Pointing out certain flowers on his canvas, he continues, “I recognise some of her favourites, like the tulips. I hope she likes it!”
Manikandan carefully packs away his canvas. “She’ll be joining me here shortly, and I want to keep this a surprise for her. We’ve been together for a year now, and I’ve never sketched her before. This will be something truly special,” he says.
The live flower show is open until 20 February. (South First/Roshne Balasubramanian)
We give Manikandan a nod of encouragement and wish him the best as we continue our stroll. Moments later, we steal a glance back and catch sight of him passing the canvas to his girlfriend. A wide grin spreads across her face. Though the crowd prevents them from sharing a hug, the joy in her eyes speaks volumes.
It’s a widely embraced belief that shared experiences have a magical way of bringing people closer together. And it seems the flower show at Semmozhi Poonga is proving just that. With its ambience and timing coinciding with Valentine’s week, it’s igniting a wave of love and positivity.
If you’re on the lookout for a getaway with your special someone this Valentine’s Day, consider visiting the flower show. Tickets are priced at ₹150 for adults and ₹75 for children, payable via GPay or cash. Vehicle parking is available in the Semmozhi Poonga parking (opposite Semmozhi Poonga). Tickets can also be booked at tnhorticulture.tn.gov.in
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