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Tree Talks

Episode 3

Shaded Divinity

Dr. Danister Perera

Transcripts: English / Tamil / Sinhala

In celebration of the Lunuganga gardens 75^th anniversary, Tree Talks podcast explores the lives of flora and ecosystems within the gardens. Bought on the eve of independence in 1948, Lunuganga is Geoffrey Bawa’s first and longest running architectural endeavour, join us as we unravel the intricacies of this living archive.

The Moonamal tree placed so meticulously on the crest of Cinnamon Hill lawn draws one's eye from the Main House to the Dedduwa Lake. Its sprawling branches offer shade and respite to those making their way toward the Southern bank of the lake. Dedduwa lake is avowed for mystic folklore, most interestingly the lore of the spirit of a monk that resides abode a tree on the lake’s Honduwa island.

Stories passed down from generations can often have an interconnectedness with nature. In this episode ayurvedic expert and cultural anthropologist Dr. Danister Perera delves into the cultural and spiritual curiosities of trees like Moonamal that have inspired creators and storytellers, gathered sages and devotees and healed minds and bodies over the centuries.

Professionally Dr. Danister Perera is an Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) expert, who gained his postgraduate qualifications in sociology and ethnobotany and is involved in research in the fields of indigenous knowledge, cultural anthropology, medicinal plants and related subjects. Authored several scientific publications including books, manuals, monographs, chapters and papers. Currently serving in national, regional bodies of ICH and MoW programs of UNESCO and as a visiting lecturer in two universities. Rendered the service as the Registrar of Ayurveda Medical Council and the Director of Sri Lanka Conservation and Sustainable Use of Medicinal Plants Project. He is also working as the Chairman of the National Expert Committee of Traditional Knowledge, under the Ministry of Environmental Affairs and is a member of the National Committee of Intangible Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

Legend for Map

1. Moonamal 

Compendium of Species Mentioned in this Episode

Flora

Pol (Cocos nucifera)
Tholabo (Crinum asiaticum)
Bulath (Piper betle)
Bo (Ficus religiosa)
Rudraksha (Elaeocarpus ganitrus)*
Beli (Aegle marmelos)
Sal (Shorea robusta)
Cannonball Tree (Couroupita guianensis)
Moonamal (Mimusops elengi)
Nuga (Ficus benghalensis)
Na (Mesua ferrea)

*similar species to Nil Veralu (Elaeocarpus serratus) found at Lunuganga

Additional References

Wood Carving and Wooden Architecture of Sri Lanka
Astrological Nine Planets
Vedic Astrology: A Critical Analysis of Nine Plants of Navagraha by Sharma and Johari, 2023
Oil Anointing (Sunday Times)
Twenty Seven Moon Mansions (Anura is also known as Anuradha)
Trees Assigned to Nakshatras: Astrological Indian Medicinal Plants - A Review by Kodolikar, Vaidya and Rabb, 2023
Naga
Bo Tree: Significance to Buddhism
Ashvatta (Bo) Tree: Significance to Hinduism
Anantanath (Bo) Tree: Ethnobotany of Sacred Plants in Jainism: A Study by Tayade and Pathak, 2024
Keystone Species
Microecosystem (Elsevier)
Religious Significance of Rudraksha: Pharmacognostic, phytochemical, pharmacological, potential of elaeocarpus ganitrus by Chaudhari, Chaudhari, Chavan and Chaudhari, 2022
The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, English Translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli, 1896 (Archive.org)
The Ramayana Edited by Manmatha Nath Dutt, 1892 (Archive.org)
Buddhist birth stories : or Jataka tales Translation by T. W. Rhys Davids, 1880 (Archive.org)
Trimurti
Brahma
Vishnu
Maheshvara (also known as Shiva)
Moonamal in Hinduism: SURVEY OF TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF SACRED PLANTS BY INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN JHARKHAND by Lal, Singh, Singh, Mishra and Mishra, 2011
Shanthikarma
Baliya
Tantra
Chethiya trees
Chaithya: Shrine
Pooja: Offering

Speaker Recommendations

Sacred Plants of India by Krishna and Amirthalingam. Penguin Books India, 2014
Plants in the Indian Purānas: An Ethnobotanical Investigation by Sensarma and Prokash, 1989
Plant Mythology in Veda by Sri Venkateswara Vedic University, 2021
උද්භිද නාම ප්‍රදීපිකා; තිස්මඩ නන්දාරාම හිමි: ඇස්. ගොඩගේ සහ සහෝදරයෝ පුද්. සමාගම. 1997

Credits

Produced by: Geoffrey Bawa Trust
Supervising Producer: Aneesha Mustachi
Coordinator: Dhaneesha Tharakie
Audio Engineer: Shamin De Silva

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Geoffrey Bawa Trust.