Gulmohar

Early this morning I saw the spread of yellow flowers in front of the gate. It brought in the memories of Nagar. The college gate has many Gulmohar trees & in summers it has a red carpet spread for the visitors. In May, only the PG students are there because their exams are going on. The canopy, the branches, leaves & flowers hold a parasol over you. As we move through it all, Manik Varma’s ‘Angani gulmohar phulala…’ comes to you naturally.

It signifies the wait, yearning, beauty & much more. ‘gat kali ha asach phulta, tumhi pahune aala hota.’ brings in memories. ‘te dole ti hasri jivni, japli mi tar ajun chintani, athav yeta..mohar oghala.’Vasant yeta yal tumhi, kokil kujbuj la… an era bygone, the maiden is waiting yet cannot talk about it. Her companion the cuckoo whispers.

‘Lal phulanchya lipitla ha…’ the red flowers adorn it. the bloom is important because of the last years memories & the associations attached with it. ‘yach tarutali anolkhi cha parichay ha ghadla….the Gulmohar is a constant in the events taking place. A beautiful rendition by a soft voice that goes so well with the sentiment.

‘Gulmohar agar tumhara naam hota… or ‘Chand churake laya hoon, chal baithe church ke piche, na koi dekhe na pehchane, Baithe ped ke niche …’ from ‘Devta’ bring in the tree in its full glory.

In ‘Prem Rog’ the buggy carrying Padmini Kolhapure goes through a path flanked by the Gulmohar trees. It is so wonderful. These trees have a beauty of their own.They have blended in our surroundings, although not indigenous.

Bus aaj itna hi. Happy viewing!