Voices from Bengaluru’s one and only tree festival

NERALU, meaning shade in Kannada is used to describe the Annual Tree festival in Bengaluru.


Storytelling by Vikram Sridhar. Pic: Neralu FB page

Save the Tree – Street Play ‘Kallada’

A theatre troupe based out of Bengaluru put on a Street Play on Day 1 of Neralu. The play was in Kannada, and spoke about motivating people to be concerned about the preservation of trees around them by humorously painting trees as an entity capable of producing wi-fi – maybe only then people will take the initiative to preserve trees.

Festival of Stories

As part of activities for Day 1 of Neralu, storyteller Vikram Sridhar regaled children with a story about how to protect our animals. It was a hot afternoon as the children who had come to Neralu gathered around Vikram to listen to him under the shade of a large tree. He had the kids cackling in laughter and also involved them in creating the story he was telling. Overall, a fun afternoon for the kids.

Raji Sunderkrishnan on Beginnings of Tree Festival.

Raji Sunderkrishnan is a volunteer with Neralu, and she’s been a part of the festival since its inception three years ago. She talks about the beginnings of the festival, with a humble presence at Cubban Park and expanding to the National Gallery of Modern Art over the next two editions. She also explains why this festival exists – to spread awareness about trees and their importance to the city of Bengaluru.

Journey of three years

Poornima Kannan, a organising volunteer with Neralu, talks about the motivations behind Neralu. She explains why it’s important to engage citizens to be motivated about the trees around them, explain the history and culture behind some of the oldest trees, and also some of the biodiversity that it supports. She also talks about why children are an important audience for this festival.

The Monkey King

Dr. Prachi Jariwala started learning Indian classical dance at a tender age. She started with Bharatanatyam, and later Odissi, in which she found her true calling. She’s an empaneled artist at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, and has performed in India and around the world. Over the last few years, she has worked with children, teaching them to be performers – storytelling through dance. Her musical presentation at Neralu was titled, ‘The Monkey King.’

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Similar Story

Status check: Key concerns remain as Chennai moves ahead with WTE plans

Greater Chennai Corporation's tender for the Waste-To-Energy plant is at the final stage; Here is what we know about the bidders

17,422 metric tonnes per day — that's the staggering amount of trash the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) will generate in 30 years. Currently, Chennai produces 6,143 metric tonnes of waste daily, which adds to the growing piles in Kodungaiyur and Perungudi dump yards. Like many other major cities, GCC is struggling to find a sustainable solution for waste management and has proposed a Waste-To-Energy (WTE) plant. However, the experiences of cities like Delhi are testimony to the significant environmental and health impacts of WTE plants. A recent The New York Times investigative report on the Delhi WTE reveals: "The government…

Similar Story

Flooded lands, disappearing birds: Pallikaranai wetland tour highlights impact of shrinking lakes

A vital wetland, Pallikaranai has shrunk drastically due to urbanisation, threatening biodiversity and vulnerable communities in Chennai.

Many of us who have lived in Chennai for years have probably crossed Pallikaranai Marshland at least once. Yet, we often overlook that we are passing through an area that was once ecologically rich and a haven for diverse species. But the marshland, one of the few coastal aquatic habitats in India to qualify as a wetland, is now just a shadow of its former self. Unchecked encroachments and rampant urbanisation have drastically reduced the catchment area of Pallikaranai Marsh. With the Northeast monsoon bringing rains to Chennai, residents are increasingly concerned about flooding. Experts point out that rejuvenating the…