THATI- WOOD PART 2

Continuing from part 1

Reposted on 24-2-2021 after editing and updating. R. GopalaKrishnan

4. Mango tree wood.

The mango tree woodis not having inner/core  hard partcalled – Kathal in 
malayalam.  Normallyit is used for fire wood purposes. However some mango tree 
grows wider. Itswood is used for temporary use of planks like base for RCC etc. 
in constructionof buildings. 

Though the planks aretold not have much strength, still many use it for 
furniture etc. I was havinga desk while studying in college made of mango wood. 
My father was having a cot whose planks were ofmango tree in our compound. 
According to my father when the tree wascut, it had  more than 50 years 
ofgrowth.  I have seen the plank inexcellent condition for more than 40 years 
later also and sturdy. After myfather my brother was using the cot. 

5. Tamarind tree wood

Tamarind tree is veryhard. Its trunk has hardened central area called kathal 
also. Maximum applicationof the wood is for firewood since it will last long 
for fire. Carpenters cannotwork on the hard wood. The central kathal is used as 
hammer by putting handleby carpenters. 

5a. Pitichhalum pitikkanam, pulimkombil pidikkanam (If youare going to hold a 
branch, it should be of tamarind tree)

The branches are sohard, even tender ones would  not breakoff from the tree. On 
account of this experts climbing tamarind tree to shake thetamarinds   to fall 
down even goes tosomewhat lean branches also.

The saying is used tomean, if going to take support, it should be from the 
worthy. Specially it istold of marriages. If the bride is not so nice looking 
or not so much educated,the family should be rich and cultured and broad-minded 
.

Tamarind tree woodhas also a tanginess taste. If we touch the outer skin , we 
feel it.

6. Bhatak (Tamilnadu)

I have not seen thiswood in Kerala. It is almost dark red. This would is 
considered next to Teakwood. In many homes, the doors, windows are made using 
Bhatak. Some builders useit at least for pooja room. Bhatak too has a fragrant 
smell.

7. Forest trees.

Many trees grow inforest with good width and length. These are cut and used for 
many works. Themerchants now a day designate such wood as forest wood. With 
suitable applicationof paints, polish etc they are durable. 

8. Coconut and aracanut trees.

While the inner sideis hard with other trees, for trees in the group of coconut 
species like palmtree, aracanut tree have their outer side hard. They grow 
taller withoutbranching. On those days these outer of coconut and palm trees 
were used forbuilding works like Utharam (beam), Kazhukkol, pattika etc.  
However care is required for preventing whie/redtermites eating them.  

The outer wood ofaracanut trees are very stronger, used as handle for 
agricultural tools likeKoonthali (Hoe) , manvetti (_powrah)etc in Kerala. The 
alaku area of it (Themost hard) is/ was used for windows bars. It is told they 
are harder than ironrods. 

9. Deal wood or packing case wood

This is very tenderwood of some trees. They are prepared with required thinness 
and purely usedfor temporary packing. 

Some deal woods arefound very good. These are used to pack costly equipment 
with sufficientthickness. After taking out the equipment many use these planks 
for furniturelike cupboards. Stools, small tables etc.

9a. Packing case and my table.

Local carpenter madea table for me in 1967. It was using a wood called Venteak. 
A type of teak lesscostlier and less durable. When it has come to drawer, he 
had exhausted woodand used quality packing case for bottom of the drawer. After 
45 years, still Iuse the table, though it has gone many changes like lamination 
on top, and forside door below drawer (I have confirmed the wood again now!!!)  

My note- The deal wood drawer is still looks good.

10 Manja kadambu

In Tamilnadu it isone of the most favoured wood for building works and 
furniture works. 

11. Bamboo

Certain species ofwoods have central shallow like the bamboo, eeara etc. They 
grow tall with lesswidth and lean. Application goes mainly as support to RCC 
and making ladder forworks. Due to their lightweight, EB people mostly use it 
climbing their polestoday. Yester years it was used by telecom people. Now 
telephone posts are inmuseum to say. Cables have replaced the poles. 

12 Fire wood trees

Many trees do nothave inner or outer hard areas. They are used for firewood and 
to prepare  charcoal. Now a day such wood of sufficientlength is used to 
support RCC as well as for preparing charam- working arrangement for carpenters 
and masons.The wood is called Kattai in Tamilnadu. These kattais are sold/ 
leased out for builders. 

Though hard andhaving width, the wood ofkanjiram is used only for making 
pattika (rafts) because of its bittertaste on touching. Pattika is on the roof, 
and one is not going to touch withhand more. 

13. Nellimaram (Amla tree) Indian gooseberry

The first creation oftree by God , the wood of amla tree is long standing. It 
is used to put overthe “urava” (spring)  in wells.. It iscalled Nellipati

There is a saying aperson spending too much with out source as going up to 
neelipplaka.(Nellippalaka kanunnathu vare kuzhikkuka)

14. Use of wood of other trees.

Earlier we were notusing rubber wood for planks. Now such woods are also used. 

15. Soaking in water.

Soaking wood in watergives durability. Such wood normally does not EXPAND OR 
CONTRACT withtemperature. 

In Kerala we canstill  see wood laid  for soaking in river water at Kallayi, in 
Calicut, one of the besttimber areas. Pathemaries or container boats for 
Arabian countries aremade at Calicut based on the order placed as I have learnt 
through adocumentary.

16. vellathil pokunnahu vallam ( Water boats)

The vallams(boats)are made of woods of good trees . Earlier they were made 
without much  joints. Now joints  are more with them, but care is taken not 
tohave leaking. 

17. Thati-  Othermeanings like - An offering ,bulky body, escaping etc.

In Malayalam  Tati is an offering in Cherthala Bhagavathitemple. It is a 
sweetish pudding called CHERTAHALA THATI.

Thati is also used to talk of bulky bodyin Malayalam. Thatippikkalis told for 
mating cows. Thatithappal is for narrow escape. 

Thaticchu kootal is assembling together incidentallyeither for good shows or 
for accidents. 

18. Windows Vista.

The desk top image ofwindows vista show a wooden platform for getting in and 
down to a boat. Oneside raised border plank on right side partly missing.

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