Movement to save tamarind tree planted by freedom fighter stirs Kolkatans

The tamarind tree, planted by a woman freedom fighter 70 years ago, that residents want to be saved and preserved as a monument. Photo: Special Arrangement

A gigantic tamarind tree remains a matter of concern for residents of a south Kolkata neighbourhood, who want the tree — planted by legendary freedom fighter Parul Mukherjee and almost brought down by builders recently — to be protected as a monument.

Parul Mukherjee was a revolutionary who, in 1935, when she was only 20, was convicted in the Titagarh conspiracy case and spent four years in prison. After Partition, she moved to a refugee colony — named Vidyasagar Colony — in south Kolkata, where she died in 1990. The massive tamarind tree is believed to have been planted by her some 70 years ago.

With builders taking over the property — the house having become too dilapidated and small for descendants — it was feared that the tree would also go because a couple of other trees were cut. That’s when a cultural movement was started, last July, led by filmmaker neighbour Debalina Majumder. With the tamarind tree as the centre, various activities were held here: concerts, storytelling, and bird watching.

Performers like Moushumi Bhoumik, Arko Mukherjee, and Amanat Fakir sang here, raising awareness about migration, Partition, and the environment. “The events are recorded and put on YouTube, to keep the conversation going and to make the tree — shelter to many species of birds, plants, animals — too important a cultural and historical landmark to be cut down. We are now doing the second set of concerts under it,” Samata Biswas, a professor at the Sanskrit College and University, who has been closely associated with the movement, said.

“We have also been writing to civic and administrative authorities to ensure that the tree is not cut. Subsequently the boundaries of Parul Mukherjee’s house were restructured — we can’t be certain about it but looks like our movement made it happen — and the tree now stands on Kolkata Municipal Corporation land. Hopefully it’s safe, but that’s not enough. This tree should be protected as a cultural monument because it bears the legacy of refugee resilience and Parul Mukherjee’s indomitable spirit,” Prof. Biswas told The Hindu.

Debalina Majumder, who is leading the movement, said, “I have grown up under the tamarind tree, and have faint memories of Parul Mukherjee. I have been photographing this tree for 20 years, birds and insects alike. When I learnt that the land under the tree is going to be redeveloped, I wanted to somehow protect both this tree and the legacy it bears. Lots of people have come and performed here and have become connected to our movement. We hope this will serve as a model for more such acts of conservation, which is absolutely essential in this difficult age.”

Events to be held under the tree this month include Tamarind Tunes, which will celebrate Woman’s Day with a three-day concert, followed by performances, book talks and discussions centred on human stories, stories of movement, and resilience.