101 reasons why trees make for better lovers than men…

I have always had a special fondness for trees. Trees that give you the much needed respite from the sun, trees that you can climb on top of, trees to carve hearts out on and immortalize love stories, trees as bearer of many things including fruits, flowers and wisdom, trees with their healing prowess and of course trees as a thing of beauty. May be it is the sight of the green all around which does that to me, and even if it just a long chain molecule, few things looks more beautiful.

This can possibly be attributed to childhood memories of growing up in homes that had trees all around. And while we have come a long way from our - had every possible tree in our house to apartment styled homes, the trees have stayed. Of course, now they are shared trees – one mango, one coconut, one neem, one papaya and one banana. The most coveted of course, is the mango tree. The mangos that erupted as tiny ones a while back have now grown to a decent size. Not large enough to be plucked yet, but small enough for one to keep a hawk eye on it and shoo away assorted creatures that might try to lay claim on it. Every year in the month of May the mangos are plucked and distributed to all the stakeholders. This so that it can be pickled for posterity. Or at any rate till the next summer. And thayir saadam with Avakai is an almost spiritual experience.

This time however, the mangos were plucked prematurely because the next door bungalow has been sold to a property developer and our dear mango tree was leaning into the neighbor house a bit too much. Originally the area where our apartment is and the neighbor bungalow were one huge house owned by a Chettiar family. The thata of the family was the one who planted the trees. In fact, we were told that most of the trees that were planted on our streets was by the Chettiar Thata. As fate and brothers would have it, his sons had a fall-out and the fence was built ensuring that both the brothers got equal portion of land. Our part was the one with the tree skew. But then, who cares for trees right? Our Chettiar Brother was the first to sell his share to a builder and pocketed a handsome sum and retired to Pondicherry. The other Chettiar Brother, was more sentimental and retained his portion with a monster of an unkempt house. But with old age and every area around his property turning into high rise apartments, he had to give in to the conspiracy.

Now the mango tree which actually has its roots on our side is in most aspects part of his side of the fence. The leaves fell there. The fruits fell there. And we have to take his help to pluck the mangos each year. Possibly he had his own memories associated with the place, for he never complained. But the developers don’t care for memories and nostalgia. They have now reduced our mango tree into just one lonely looking stub.

It is sad when the trees we inherit, have to die the way that they do. We hope that we can at least keep our coconut and Neem tree, in memory of the Chettiar Thata.

One of the trees which has been our contribution to the apartment, has been the banana tree. It is one of those peculiar varieties of banana though, red in colour. I am not even sure if it is actually safe to eat it, but my mom insists that it is. She also insists that it will give me record breaking longevity, glowing skin and detox. Of course, she is making that up. But what is the harm no? But the purpose of the banana tree is to have access to the leaf and not the fruit itself. In the time of water crisis it is useful as it doubles up as a plate. Sometimes gods and the spirit of those who are dead and gone require them leaves. It is also an important part of this most exotic thing that my mom makes called – Ellai Adai (Leaf Pancake would be a close translation). Of course the leaf is just the means to the end, but no leaf means no dish. Ellai aka Leaf. Duh! Anyway it involves taking a rectangular shaped banana leaf, spreading a layer of rice batter and topping that with a cooked jam like paste of jaggery, jackfruit and coconut, closing the rectangle leaf and steaming it. It is truly divine. And if the leaf seems incidental to you, think again. In fact, it is as critical as picking up an outfit because you picked up lovely ear-rings. Or like spending 80% of your time working on a presentation template as opposed to the content that goes into it.

Coming back to trees. I am also thinking movies. Of course, trees are so closely linked to movies. There is reason why the phrase - running around trees – must have evolved right? But given that most of my movie memories are from the movies of late 80’s and 90’s, one did see the protagonists actually really run around trees. Usually, somewhere in Ooty and Kodaikannal I think. Every movie would see the same woods and tress even, starting QSQT, going on to Dil, Saajan and other assorted movies. I don’t remember the movie plots itself much, but the trees that the hero/heroines emerged from, hid behind and used as props remain vivid. When we went to Kasauali many years ago, we were pointed to the Paro-Madho tree as a prominent tourist attraction. This from some Hema Malini and Rajesh Khanna starrer. The first Tamil movie that I saw was this one called – Punnagai Mannan. Starring Kamal Hassan and Revathy, the plot of the movie involves a much in love couple who are forced to commit suicide given the opposition to their love. As fate and a branch jutting near the cliff would have it, the woman jumps to her death and the man survives. He goes through guilt and immense depression as a result. However, he soon meets another girl, who falls in love with him and the story goes on. The movie had a deep impact on me. Not for its great music. Or the great acting. Or the notion that love gives you a second chance. Not even that people who are doomed in love stay that way. But I did think that trees are not great for suicide, because they never let you die.
Aren’t trees exactly what the soul needs? And the environment of course. Let’s see, now:
… There beauty is truly joy forever. And no two trees ever look the same also.
… It bears fruits and flowers that could possibly (being the operative word) be consumed. Or at rate they always look great.
… It has mysterious healing properties at times
… There is always much wisdom and aura surrounding a tree
… How can one have childhood stories without references to a banyan tree?
… And of course, one can always marry a tree, hope for the terminally single, may be?

Of course the sudden desire to write about trees were triggered by a the chopping of our mango tree and a number of tree-events that have happened. A trip to Delhi, where driving along the Delhi University North campus I saw the most lovely trees ever. This area right across the Vidhan Sabha, has the most beautiful tree forest like place. It is also because of a book that I recently picked from my library called – The Trees of Delhi. But it is mostly because of a frantic email that I got from friend J.

Dear PS,
I am very bored of my life. Who wants to just be a banker? Need more meaning in my life. I have decided to plant trees. Any idea, how?

Love,
J

Dear J,
Brilliant as always. Sounds like a simple idea though. Identify square of land. Procure sapling. Dig hole. Plant sapling. Water regularly. Love it too. And Ta Dah!

Love,

PS

Not a peep from her since then. Sometimes, it is easy to kill people with supreme form of logic.