Coconut or banana?

Indian tradition speaks of three styles of literature and communication: Nari Phalam, Kadali Phalam, and Drakshi Phalam - the coconut, the banana, and the grape. The first is Nari Phalam, the coconut style. To enjoy a coconut, one must remove the fibre, break the hard shell, and only then reach the water and kernel within. Some books, speeches and philosophical works are like this. They may have depth, but they demand patience, preparation and sustained effort from the reader.

The second style is Kadali Phalam, the banana style. A banana requires some effort, but not too much. One has to remove the peel before enjoying the fruit. In the same way, certain works require a little familiarity, reflection or background knowledge. Once that small effort is made, the meaning becomes accessible. For instance, many classical works are not immediately simple, but neither are they unnecessarily difficult.

The third style is Drakshi Phalam, the grape style. A grape needs no peeling and no breaking. One simply places it in the mouth and enjoys its sweetness. Some teachings are presented with such clarity and simplicity that wisdom is received naturally.


Many leaders believe that the seriousness of their message must be reflected in complicated language. But complexity does not always indicate depth. Sometimes, it merely reveals that the communicator has not made enough effort to become clear.