Dancing For Trees
By Anitha.S
08 January, 2014
Countercurrents.org
PhotoBy Suresh Elamon
I am Amshuda, 11 years old living in Thiruvananthapuram with my sister Visrutha, 7 years old and my parents. For the past few months, our mother tries to wake us up every Sunday early in the morning.She says there is an interesting program called the Tree Walk. Though I love outdoors and trekking, I have not been able to open my eyes. But yesterday evening, I went with my mother and sister to a new and exciting program.
It was in a place called Theerthapadamandapom near the famous Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple. I like to go there as there is a huge pond where the water is so inviting on hot days.
We went for a dance program by a group called Samudra- Centre for Performing Arts based in the city. My mother said that more than the dance, the event was made special by something. I wondered how Tree Walk was connected with the dance program as we saw many Tree Walkers there. It was when the program started that I realized why. The dancers Madhu and Sajeev came on stage holding a tree sapling. Madhu Uncle then announced that for all their programs and performances in 2014,wherever in the world it be, they plan to plant a tree. It could be in Kerala, other parts of India, Australia or the U.S.A,- they have decided to motivate the organizers to plant a tree either in the venue or in a place suitable for them. They would also want assurance that the tree would be taken care of. We all clapped when they said this.
The sapling was then taken to the compound adjacent to the stage where a pit had been dug by the side of the wall. There were many trees there- huge raintrees, a small but lush Indian almond and a wild grassy patch. As we all stood there, the dancers released the tree sapling from the black plastic cover. I felt that the young roots might have been happy to touch Mother Earth. The Tree walker friends also joined in making sure that the sapling was properly covered with soil. The tree with its green leaves belonged to Jackfruit variety. My mother said that it is the Honey Jackfruit or Thenvarikka from which a sweet honey-like fluid is formed when really ripe. A tree walk aunt asked when it will start fruiting – she seems eager to eat the fruits. I looked at the small sapling and wished it luck to grow well and bear fruits. I heard some one say that the tree should be named Samudra as it is the group that came up with the idea. I tried to imagine a jackfruit tree, so far away from the ocean with the name Samudra.
Samudra decided to plant trees in 2014 after attending a program of the Tree Walk called Adieu Trees in which Tree Walk showed instances in the city where trees were cut last year. The songs by MBS Youth Choir that accompanied this program at the IFFK Venue in December is what inspired Madhu to do this.
The dance was about Water. My sister was very impressed by the flexibility and precision of the dancers. The message to conserve and protect water as it is so precious was conveyed through the dance.
My mother said that Tree Walk intends to put a bamboo tree guard around the Thenvarikka tree very soon so that it is protected for a few months. I was very happy last evening to be part of such a new event. Though we hear and talk about trees and nature, we often destroy unmindful of the consequences. My mother often talks of the diversity of trees and life around us, without which we humans cannot live. There are many things we cannot buy with money- like pure air, water, a beautiful sight, a clean calm beach. We need to have the mind and heart to look after them. I hope to wake up next Sunday and join the Tree Walk.
Anitha.S in conversation with Amshuda and Visrutha, Sajeev and Madhu (www.samudraarts.com) on 7.01.2014. For details of Tree Walk, see Face book- Tree Walk- Thiruvananthapuram.
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