The heat might be a sweltering 40 degrees now but the charming Gulmohar (Flame tree) blossoms seem to withstand it all. From parks to sidewalks I spot them everywhere these days — merrily swaying their branches in gay abandon.

The bright orange coloured flowers are an instant mood-lifters. As children we used to open up the green flower pods, peel a portion of its red skin and stick them to our nails and play around acting  dainty with long green-orange finger nails :).

We would also soak the flowers in water to get a bright orange red colour the next day. Later as the Gulmohar season came to end the dried flowers in my notebooks reminded me of their splendid beauty.

Here are a few lines of a famous Gulmohar song from a Hindi movie…

Gulmohar Gar Tumhara Naam Hota

Mausam-E-Gul Ko Hasaana Bhi Hamara Kaam Hota

 Aayengi Baharein To Abke Unhe Kehna Zara

Itna Sune

Mere Gul Bina Kahan Unka Bahaar Naam Hota

Gulmohar Gar Tumhara Naam Hota…