Sir,
This has reference to the writeup’When trees speak and we listen'(DE, July 21, 2019) Plants including trees, herbs and shrubs have great significance in our life.Besides providing us fruit, timber, medicines and oxygen.. our scriptures tell us to worship many trees such as Peepal, Banyaan, Amla, Tulsi etc on various religious ocassions and even at the time of funeral rituals, the leaves and branches of some trees and plants are required to perform some rituals.As such trees are the integral part of our life and culture.It is heartening to read that a group show titled VRIKSHA was held at India International Centre, New Delhi to highlight the human bond with nature and the artists and photographers portrayed the fables and tales of our ancient land through divine trees to celebrate the eternal power of the trees.Various trees are also associated with Gods and Goddesses and reverred as such.Trees have life and it is considered sinful to cut a tree, especially before sunrise and after sunset.Some trees became so prominent in our life that many cities, towns, streets, squares and bus stops are named after the names of some trees across the world.Perhaps, it is due to the fact that at the time, these names came into existence, these places had such trees in abundance at those places or there was such a big tree of that species which inspired awe and mystery or provided shade to the weary travellers.For instance, in the USA, many cities such as Orange, Plum, Palmsprings and streets are named after trees.It may sound incredible but it is a fact that there is a stop called Pineapple named after the two trees pine and the apple which existed there in the 18th century.So far India is concerned ,the names of the towns and cities such as Malleshwaram, Mathikev, Maavu (Kannad name for Mango)etc in Bangluru can be traced to the names of trees while the places and streets such as Worli, Parel, Vadala, Borbhat Lane, Amli Gali, Anjirwadi,Tardeo,Bhendi Bazar, Fanaswaadi, Umarkhadi, Cumball Hills,Babulnath etc of Mumbai have come after the names of plants and trees.The ancient name of the city of Varodara was Vadapatraka and Vatpatrika.Vat is the Banyan tree and ‘patrak’is the banyan tree leaf’.The earliest name was Baroda which was changed to Varodara in 1974.
In our own state,it is not uncommon to find places associated with the names of trees.We have places such as Char Chinar named after Chinar, Badamwaadi named after Badam and Dinga Amb named after mango and Dingi Simbli of ‘simbal’ in different parts of our state.In the same manner,Ghar Samna bhanj named after oak,Kambal Danga named after melotus phillipinesis, Pladanga, Taali Morh, Tuttein Di Khui, Amb leher, Tuniya da Danga, Simbal Camp, Amb Gharota,Tuttan Da Danga, Bar da Tla,etc also owe their names to trees and have become famous places.Similarly, trees such as Kainth and Akhrot (Walnut), locally called,Khor have inspired the names Kainthgali and Khorgali in Moungri Tehsil in Udhampur district.
Trees have been reverred in India since times immemorial and they will continue to inspire awe and mystery in the people and artists who would always strive to interpret their beauty and awe in myriad ways.The writer has beautifully delineated human bonding with threes and he deserves appreciation for his endeavour.
Ashok Sharma,
Housing Colony, Udhampur.
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