Nellu

Nellu is a common term in South Indian languages, primarily Malayalam and Tamil, referring to paddy or unhusked rice. It is the raw grain harvested from the rice plant, Oryza sativa, before the husk is removed. This stage of rice is a staple food for a significant portion of the world's population, and its cultivation is deeply ingrained in the agricultural practices and culture of regions where Nellu is grown.

The cultivation of Nellu is a labor-intensive process, often involving extensive irrigation systems and careful management of water levels. The paddies are typically flooded fields where the rice seedlings are transplanted and nurtured until harvest. The harvesting season is a crucial time for farming communities, marked by traditional rituals and celebrations in many areas.

After harvesting, Nellu is processed to remove the outer husk, yielding the edible rice grain. This husked rice can then be further polished to produce white rice or left unpolished as brown rice. Nellu itself is not directly consumed but is the fundamental raw material from which the ubiquitous food grain is derived. The term "Nellu" thus encapsulates the initial, unprocessed form of one of the world's most important agricultural products.