Kahani Peepal Wali Gali Ki

Hindi/50sec/2002
Producer: Zee News, Zee Telefims Ltd.

Subject Focus: Rapid Urbanisation Leading to loss of trees in cities.

Summary: Pipal Waali Gali. ‘It’ is a postal address.‘It’ is a landmark.‘It’ is no more. Yes, we are talking about the protagonist of the film—The pipal tree. It has ceased to exist. The film is based on a true story. This gali is no different from any other alley or small-town neighbourhood. If you visit the historical city of Jaipur, you will find the Pipal Waali Gali in one of its numerous meandering lanes. What struck the director on his maiden visit to the now defunct postal address was the carelessness with which modernisation tore out the roots of environment. The film covers a period of 50 years and how the pipal tree has been slowly, but surely mowed down to make way for modern conveniences. It depicts how mercilessly the environment has been butchered in the name of progress.Long live the pipal tree. Sadly, the gali outlived the tree.