Thimmakka and her trees
There is something special about the 385 towering avenue trees on a four km stretch of a public road from Kudur and Hulikal in Karnataka, South India. All of them were planted and cared for by an elderly couple, Thimmakka and Chikkanna.
Thimmakka was born in 1910 or so in the town of Gubbi and was married off at an early age to Chikkanna of Hulikal Village. They were landless labourers working on farmlands. Thimmakka could not have children and the couple were often lonely in the evenings. Chikkanna kept thinking of “something to do” with their lives. At some stage they decided to plant trees on the main road to Kudur. The couple thought that the trees would provide shade for the villagers, who had to walk often on the hot and dusty road.
They chose the peepul tree (Ficus religiosa), created a small nursery, and began planting the saplings. They built thorn guards around the saplings, watered them daily until they took root. They tended each tree until it was 10 years old. Every year they planted 15 to 20 trees, until they had covered the entire stretch of four km. They took care of the trees as if they were their children. In fact, Chikkanna quit working so that he could devote himself full time to this task. The trees grew tall and have been providing shade for the road users, shelter for many birds and animals, and biomass for the fields. The trees are today valued at 1.5 million rupees or more.
Chikkanna died in 1990. Sometime later, journalists found out about the tree planting done by the couple and soon Thimmakka became famous. Since 1995, many honours have come her way: Padma Shri, National Citizen’s Award, Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award, etc.
Afterword: In 2019, the trees planted by Thimmakka came under threat of being chopped down for the widening of the road. Fortunately, the Chief Minister heeded Thimmakka’s appeal and the trees were saved.
The well-known Bharatanatyam dancer, Malavika Sarukkai, choreographed a performance based on Thimmakka’s life and work.
I hail from the same State of Karnataka. I have been a privy to all that is happening to her over the years. Great deed indeed. She is known by the name of Salumarada Thimakka, which means Row Trees Thimakka. She has found solace through this task of growing trees. One must also know that even with meagre resources, the couple have been able to do something that is remarkable and thought provoking.