The banyan tree at the recruiting office
The banyan
trees at the recruiting office
My article that appeared in The Times of India on 11 December 2016
Half a century ago, in old Vizag, near
the recently restored lighthouse, stood a recruiting office under the shade of
large banyan trees. Men for the army, navy and air force were recruited here. The
first floor of this building served as the residence of M.K. Unni Menon and his
family. He was in-charge of recruitment. Mrs. Menon was a hospitable lady who
encouraged children to gather at her home and play in the recruiting office
grounds. These “grounds” were not just some open area but an exciting,
mysterious, magical world where many children got in touch with the wonders of
the nature.
Banyan trees
The recruiting office ‘grounds’ and
surrounding areas had two massive banyan trees (Ficus benghalensis). These could be accessed by friends of the
Menons. There was another large tree outside the grounds to the East which was
in the public domain. These majestic trees, having grown here for more than two
centuries had become enormous canopies of green. The little red figs barely
larger than glass marbles grew in abundance on the trees. As these figs of
the tree, half eaten by fig wasps, birds and squirrels dropped in the crevices
of the parent tree and germinated, they would send roots down towards the
ground. On the way down some roots would embrace the host tree in a lattice web
of roots. Aerial prop roots also made their way down directly from branches above
heading to the ground. They were slim and stringy at first but once they
touched the ground they dug in and sucked up the nutrition growing fat and
sturdy. In time they became like the trunk and supported massive branches that
cantilevered impossible distances from their parent trunk. Any structural
engineer will tell us that this is miracle, a cantilever so long, so gravity
defying is impossible! But that is what nature does, and that is what made
these banyan trees such a boon for the thousands of creatures that treated it
as home.
Vast Megapolis
These banyan trees played host to myriad
creatures. The figs were a great attraction. Flying foxes would settle on the
higher branches and gorge on them before “hanging” out feet-up, with their
companions. Thousands of squirrels would scurry on the massive branches,
frequently making impossible leaps from root to root and branch to branch
squeaking garrulously. Mynas, crows, parrots, would all gather here to enjoy
the treat, eating and drinking the water trapped in the hollows of the tree. As
evening descended they got louder quarrelling over roosting space and having
settled their disputes amicably, settled down for the night. The owls would
then pop out of their holes in the tree and survey their domain for a snack,
generally a mouse or shrew scurrying quietly among the branches under the cover
of darkness. The owl would sweep silently down on the hapless little creature
and it would end up as dinner. Many creatures would make this their permanent
home in the hollows of the tree to raise families. Baby squirrels and several
species of birds were born and nurtured here till they could venture out into
the adult world and rule the branches and roots. Green tree snakes, chameleons,
bats, armies of red ants, beetles, all shared the tree with other creatures. These
trees were like a large Megalopolis, teeming with life. The restaurant was open
24 hours and everyone was invited to the party even if some ended up as dinner
themselves.
It was a huge attraction for boys and a few
adventurous girls as well. Some of the lucky children lived near the trees and
the recruiting office, for others it was on the path to the St. Aloysius
School, the lunch break was also of adequate duration to permit a visit to these
trees. Every kid took the opportunity to swing from the aerial roots that had
not reached the ground yet. As they developed expertise they swung from root to
root emitting ululating Tarzan yells. Long roots were much in demand as one
could swing long distances. The more adventurous children clambered on to the
high branches of the tree. There were a few occasions when a child fell off the
tree but miraculously there were no serious injuries. The trees were a place to
socialise. Where the branches met, nature’s interior decorator made convenient space
for a group of boys to sit around and chat animatedly. In winter holiday
evenings some twigs from the tree would be gathered to make a small fire. As
evening fell, the crickets started their symphony of chirping and that was when
ghost stories would be told in hushed voices.
Life skills
The skills children learnt there was making
catapults. It was simply known as “caties”. To make it one had to select a
perfect Y shaped branch. Owing to its strength and tawny colour the branches of
the guava trees were best for catapults. The next on the material list was to
source rubber strips, the broad ribbon like strips were for launching the
projectile and the thin ones were to attach the broad strips to the Y piece. These
came from old cycle tyre tubes cut into ribbon shapes by the cycle shop
mechanic. The leather sling was cut by the neighborhood cobbler and the
catapult was put together and operational in no time. Some carved their name on
the Y piece with pride. Others learnt to
put “spikes” into ready made colourful wooden tops and spin them with consummate
skill. The competence required for the game of Gilli Danda and marbles was
acquired under these trees. Many learnt to ride bicycles here falling
frequently and bruising the knees till they became experts. Roads were few but narrow
dirt paths served as exciting riding tracks. These trees looked on benevolently
as generations after generations of children acquired life skills. They did not
know that the trees would fall soon and slum like port quarters would come up
in its place. We were ignorant, we were negligent.
The future
of banyan trees
It is interesting to know that the Banyan Tree
was
given its name by early travelers who observed that the shade of the tree was
frequented by “banias”,
merchants, who generally conducted their
business there. They cover large areas and provide shades of several
acres. Human communities flourish under the trees and creatures of all types
flourish within its leafy ecosystem. This is India’s national tree and our
history, myth and legend is entwined with it. Now, with every road widening
project thousands of these trees are removed. A case in point is the Gopalpatnam
SKota road. In 2013 the giant tree at the end of the flyover, within the
railway compound wall, near the station was about to be cut down by GVMC for
road widening when the citizens rose to its defence and saved it. Many more of
these magnificent trees will go unless we are vigilant. It is time we gave this
marvellous tree its rightful place in our landscape. The next time you ride
outside the city and pass a banyan tree, pause for a moment and look up. Drink
up the atmosphere. There is a great big city up there and all its residents are
happy.
Comments