The music of a tree.

[Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi]

Life is a series of disappointments. And then you see something grand and noble, which surpasses life. A few months ago, The Delhi Walla came across a giant pilkhan tree, ficus virens, in Deer Park, Safdarjang Enclave (click here to see the photos). The tree was a forest. Its thick branches were covered with dry dead leaves; many had fallen on the ground. A few buds were growing on the upper branches. The spectacle of both death and the new-born life sharing the same space was dramatic, like the final movement of Beethoven’s ninth symphony.

The other morning I visited the tree again. Life had been regained. It was glowing in a green translucence. On each leaf, the veins spread out like hand-made embroidery. When I touched the trunk, the dark brown wood felt cool and sappy. Looking up, I saw that the rays of the summer sun had been suffocated by the tree’s dense foliage. Only the upper reaches were exposed to the day’s whiteness. The nature was dueling with the nature. It was exhilarating, like the final movement of Beethoven’s ninth symphony.

Where Deer Park, the tree is close to the Park Baluchi restaurant Nearest Metro Station Green Park Best Time Early morning

Old tree, new life

Grace

How green is the world

Struggling sun

Upper reaches

Inviting

Dazzling

Refreshed

Wading deeper

Life goes on