Farmers, dancers, poets, researchers, writers, healers, IT professionals, activists, students, bankers, retired professionals, government employees, musicians, actors – and so many other labels could be applied to the people who stopped by at the Treevellers’ Katte during Bhoomi Habba at Visthar. Irrespective of age, gender and profession – they were clearly treevellers at heart.
A little girl, when asked which tree she liked the most, rolled her eyes and said, “so many! They’re all so beautiful!” Yet, when asked which tree she would be, she said Tabebuia without batting an eyelid. I asked her why and she said, “Its flowers are my favourite colour.”
A whole bunch of students from the Government School in Doddagubbi seemed to favour primarily two trees – coconut and banyan, with the coconut scoring higher. One of the students explained his reasoning for choosing the coconut tree over all other trees. “Though it is thin and does not provide shade, its fruit gives relief from the heat,” he said. The banyan was a favourite because it affords so much space for play. Adults loved the banyan for its nurturing qualities, with one woman specifically loving the tree for how it unapologetically occupies space.
The conversations were rich and sweet at the Bhoomi Habba. Not just is the environment in Visthar (and the Bhoomi Habba) conducive to such conversations, the setting provided by the fruit-laden jackfruit tree (under which the Katte is set up) and the props provided at the Treevellers’ Katte heighten the experience of observing how we carry trees in our mindscape and hearts.
The intent of the Treevellers’ Katte is to immerse participants in treeliciousness and trigger the memory and imagination, both of which are packed with imprints of nature in general and trees in particular. A lot more treeliciousness follows. Faces are lit up in smiles (and tree-light). There may be tears or sighs and yet, there is a sense of renewed hope, even in remembering that special tree that was a childhood haunt or mentor – and that is still an inspiration.
This is what happened at the Treevellers’ Katte at Bhoomi Habba.
Treevellers' Katte 