Felling of the Banyan Tree | Class 11 English Notes

Felling of the Banyan Tree

The poem 'Felling of the Banyan Tree' by Dilip Chitre narrates the painful experience of witnessing the destruction of a large banyan tree near the poet's home. The poem begins with the poet recounting how his father ordered the tenants living in the houses surrounding their home on the hill to leave, and how these houses were demolished one by one. Only their own house and the trees remained. The grandmother's belief that trees are sacred and that felling them is a crime is introduced early, setting a tone of reverence towards nature. However, the father disregards this sentiment and orders the cutting down of all the trees around, including the sheoga, oudumber, and neem. The banyan tree, however, stands out as a significant problem due to its massive size and deep roots, symbolizing a connection deeper than human lives themselves. The poem vividly describes the physical attributes of the banyan tree: it was three times as tall as the house, with a trunk circumference of fifty feet, and scraggy aerial roots falling to the ground from heights of thirty feet or more. The process of cutting the tree is detailed, with branches being sawed off for seven days, creating a huge heap, and the disturbance causing insects and birds to abandon the tree. The climax is the chopping of the massive trunk by fifty men wielding axes, revealing the tree's age through its rings, which are described as a 'raw mythology' unfolding before the observers. The poem ends on a somber note with the family leaving Baroda for Bombay, a place with no trees except the one that 'grows and seethes in one's dreams,' symbolizing the lasting impact of the loss and the haunting memory of the tree. The poem is a powerful critique of environmental destruction and the loss of cultural and natural heritage, highlighting the conflict between modern development and nature. It uses vivid imagery and emotive language to evoke a sense of loss and mourning for the natural world.

📊 Diagram: Dilip Chitre (1938–2009) was born in Baroda. He writes poetry both in Marathi and English. Travelling in a Cage, from which the poem selected here has been taken, was published in 1980. Apart from poetry, Chitre has also written short stories and critical essays. An Anthology of Marathi Poetry 1945–1965 is one of his most important works of translation. He sees poetry as an expression of the spirit. He lives and works in Mumbai.

🧪 Activity: Students are encouraged to guess the meaning of the word ‘scraggy’ from the context of the poem.

🔗 Connection: Leads to the 'About the Poet' section which provides background information on Dilip Chitre, enriching understanding of the poem's context.