Wednesday, March 17, 2010

The arteries of Life.

Taken at my home town Alleppey (now Alepuzha)
Last time when I had been to my home town, as I was approaching my ancestral house, I looked up to see if the mango tree was still there and found this wonderful sight. The leaves shimmering in the afternoon light. Later while looking at the photograph I was wondering if my grandfather too looked at the same tree early in the morning while dipping his hand in the uri. (an uri is a pot that is hung in the courtyard which contains coarse coal particles. This was used for brushing the teeth - before people could afford toothpaste)

Rarely do we stop and gaze at the trees. There is a lot of history written there. Its the mute spectator to all that's happened under its shade.
Recently while passing through one of the roads in Pune, I had to stop at a signal. A sideways glance showed this huge Canopy covering a huge space. Welcome shade for many. (the title of this post was derived from this picture)

Nature's own Canopy
Imagine if your city is covered by trees like these it could reduce the threat of global warming. (will it? I am no authority on that)
Luckily for Pune city, we still have many of them (and hope it remains that way)
The best is the road connecting the Kirkee War cemetery and the Holkar bridge. The trees on either side are huge and it is just wonderful to drive down. I clicked this on a rainy day.



Another place is the entrance road to the Agriculture college in Pune.
Very few know that this was used as a War Hospital from 1916 to 1919

Way to the Agriculture Collage, Pune

On my way back from an overnight picnic near the Khadakwasla Dam I saw this lone Banyan tree, with its prop roots almost kissing the water. It made a perfect frame.
Incidentally this picture is used in the Wikipedia with proper credit.

Close to the Dam (also in Explorer)

Other one on the way up to the Singahad fort. With greenery like this around, I though its better to be at the foothills than climb the fort.

singhagad

Then there are these trees with roots and roots hanging (you can hardly see the tree) These are the ones lining the race course road. Must have witnessed a lot of betting I suppose.

banyan_Tree

With the onset of spring in Pune, one can see some trees beautifully decorated with golden coloured flowers. This tree (Tabebuia Aurea) is a native of Argentina and Brazil in South America and it was brought to Bangalore, Calcutta and Pune. To know more about this tree, click on the picture below.

Tabebuia Aurea

Rubber trees are seen mostly in the south and the procedure of extracting rubber is lengthy but its good to know.(click on picture)

rubber

A trip to the Vineyard is a must for those who visit Nasik which is about 190 kms from Pune. You get to learn a lot about Grapes and wine and Table Grapes. We had a good time there, apart from tashting a lot of...... hic, a lot of . . . . . . .hic, you know those colourful things in the colourful wine glass......hic.

Vineyard in Nasik
OK coming back to Pune, nothing like having a view of a tree from the kitchen window.


(one of the reasons why we did not put up a frilly curtain there) but there is an added bonus when you have a good view of an eagle's nest from the kitchen window.
But more on that later in my next post (hope the eggs will hatch by then)

46 comments:

Fresh Local and Best said...

These are beautiful pictures of exotic trees that I have never before seen. Thanks for sharing.

Amrit said...

Very beautiful pictures.

I never been to Pune but I guess I have to come now. My India starts and finishes in New Delhi. I can find some close friends in Pune if try.

Sunita Mohan said...

I love the sight of old trees too. It's almost like taking a peek down history.
And I really like the photo of the banyan tree (almost) touching the water.

RamNarayanS said...

Lovely lovely pictures and a neat narration to go with it. It is like a "spa" for the eyes, rejuvenating. You have a wonderful eye for detail and landscapes. The season is beautiful now (in spite of the increasing heat). Bangalore has Jacaranda blooming and it is an "eye-wash" for the eyes to see the blue flowers. Blue Beautiful!

lostworld said...

Love the post..Greenery all around. Long live the great banyan:)Thankfully even B'lore retains its trees (to a certain extent)!

Anuradha Shankar said...

Good one!!! Pune is really beautiful, even now,...hope it lasts.... there are pockets here in bbay where we still do see trees,but we really have to search now, and pray that they remain..

Jessica - The Novice Chef said...

I just came across your blog and I am so glad I did!

Nalini Hebbar said...

wonderfully fresh and green you blog looks today...I love trees and I wish our Earth were as green...:)

Neha said...

Great pictures....greenery at its best!

Vinita Apte said...

lovely pics...you reminded me of my Pune days...thanks :)

Atul said...

i remember coming pretty early in G shifts during winters ... and the sunlight cutting across the tree branches and fog made a delightful scene... very calming... just outside ERC main bldg... i wish i could take a picture! ... company policy na!... :(

hamaarethoughts.com said...

Gr8 pictures..specially fresh green grapes..and canopy of green leaves..
eagle nest is too cute..next time we hope to see the family..thanks

Namitha said...

Great pictures. The banyan tree and rubber reminded a lot about home :-)
Grapes and eagle nest are superb too

Melanie said...

I enjoyed your photos. We have mango trees here in Florida. I enjoy their fruit.

Sarah @ Mum In Bloom said...

Beautiful photos. Thank you for visiting my site today :)

Mariner said...

Lovely post Joe. And even lovelier pics :)

Jyostna said...

Nice pictures and nice post.

Roshni said...

such beautiful trees!!

Anjuli said...

What beautiful trees- and a lovely post. I especially loved the banyan tree- and the one with the roots hanging down. I also loved the thought of your grandfather having looked up into the same tree as you- so many years ago- so wonderful a thought!

CAntony said...

I was thinking the same thing this morning... the sometimes extremely subtle beauty of trees. And the life hidden within.

Uplifting! Thanks.

Pink Mango Tree said...

Oh wow...!!! What a treat to the eyes! :)
This is "going green" and not pinning a badge while playing a cricket match!

Cheers!

Swaram said...

Awesome! What a lovely visual treat :)

perumalythoma said...

Planted a Golden Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia Something) in front of our house in B'lore 2 years back.
Lovely to see the gate and the street littered with flowers every evening.
Don't think the corporation sweepers union approves, though.
Now. Do I know that tree in Alappuzha?

Sunitha said...

Beautiful pictures are perfect reminder of home.

Chithira Menon said...

love ur post...sadly pp; dnt realize the importance of our green frnds..one go out in the sun on an Indian summer day,and then u think..god,where did all the trees and shade go

Nisha Jha said...

What lovely pictures of Pune, the city I've never been to. Not that my reason for not going there has something to do with this but I have been told that's very heartless & rough place for outsiders.

It's raining out there ? Oh man,it's raining here too.

uh uh....I can't comment here with Name/url option...
http://www.lemonicks.com

Casuarina said...

Green's my colour. You can guess how much I loved this post in that case !

Here's a small gift for you, in the lines of the Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca :

Verde que te quiero verde.
Verde viento. Verdes ramas.
El barco sobre la mar
y el caballo en la montaña.
Con la sombra en la cintura
ella sueña en su baranda,
verde carne, pelo verde,
con ojos de fría plata.
Verde que te quiero verde…


(Green, how I want you green.
Green wind. Green branches.
The ship out on the sea
and the horse on the mountain.
With the shade around her waist
she dreams on her balcony,
green flesh, her hair green,
with eyes of cold silver.
Green, how I want you green…)


Hope you appreciate how much your post moved me...

Anonymous said...

Amazing post!especially the pictures...

heather@actingbalanced.com said...

beautiful pics - thanks for stopping by my blog earlier!

FoodLovers said...

lovely post dear with beautiful pics

The Holy Lama said...

Wish the greenery remains. Can anything match Nature's beauty?

Lyn said...

I enjoyed this collection of exotic trees from your country. Trees have a way of making us geel peaceful and safe under their arches. Lovely photos. thanks for sharing a glimpse of your part of the world.

Anonymous said...

Hi,
Thanks for your comment on my blog.. and for leading me here.. very interesting blog you have! I have devoured many posts already and loved the way you've written. And this latest one with tress.. absolutely loved it.. i'm one of those who observes trees.. their transformation through the seasons..the fresh new leaves of spring.. i just do not have the words..just loved it :)

achal rangaswamy said...

great pictures !!! clearly show a lover of nature and a wizard with a camera...
i would like my son to learn from you..
how do we make that happen ???

take care

Deepa Jagarlapoodi said...

very good pictures out there...the long roads and the trees together give a better picture about what u were trying to say..

Unknown said...

Gorgeous! I especially love the shot of the grapes on the vine. Nice!

Greener Bangalore said...

Great snaps Haddock and yes thanks for the visit.

Brandie said...

Wow those are some gorgeous pictures!

Marie said...

gorgeous

Kamini said...

Wow, beautiful, and so heartening to see that so much of Pune is still so green. Much of Madras used to be like that but now, alas, as the city has grown beyond any sense, most roads are no longer tree-lined and shady.

Rachna said...

beautiful! I feasted my eyes on the lovely pictures. We have some of these wonderful tree-lined avenues in Bangalore too where branches from trees from opposite sides intertwine providing a canopy. I must take a picture too :). Green is beautiful!

Cris said...

Hi!
Thanx for visiting my blog :)
Pretty photos here!!!
Regards!

Shalini said...

Beautiful photos.
Well...there is something I'd like to say apart from a regular comment on the post...I love your blog because its so genuine, simple and straight from the heart. Your ability to capture and express everyday happenings in such a thoughtful and simple manner really intrigues me! Keep up the good work sir! :)

Reema Sahay said...

Awesome pictures! If I may ask, Which camera do you use?

Haddock said...

Hi penandpaper
The one I still have is a Nikon Coolpix 4300.
Its 7 years old and I am looking for a replacement, because it jilts me when I most require it (some error msg)

chrolophyll in wheat grass said...

Thank you for your comment. This post is interesting, I like take a photo my camera is canon.