Tree Talks

*Clarification [03:54]: Plant matter in general dates back four hundred to five hundred million years, not water lilies specifically.

In celebration of the Lunuganga gardens 75th 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.

This episode is a walk through Lunuganga on a cool January day with Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, naturalist, photographer and author of 'A Naturalist Guide to the Trees of Sri Lanka'. Gehan uncovers the intricacies of Lunuganga's flora and the fauna that flourish in its embrace as he reflects on the histories and migrations of select trees along the path and the influence of humans on globalised horticulture.

This episode follows a path from the Reading Room to the Field of Jars passing by the Jackfruit, Bilin, Mahogany, Mango, Araliya, Na, Fishtail Palm and Hora trees. A map with the sites and sounds of this episode along with other resources are available on our websites.

To Lunuganga: https://lunuganga.garden/Tree-Talks-EP01-Rooted-Histories
Geoffrey Bawa Trust: geoffreybawa.com/tree-talks

Special thanks to Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne for his expertise and animated exploration of Lunuganga and Shamin De Silva for editing and sound design in this episode.

Tree Talks: Rooted Histories

In celebration of the Lunuganga gardens 75th 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.

This episode is an exploration of pigment extractions and the human connection to trees through craft with Fashion Designer and Researcher Sanjeewa Wijesundara. Sanjeewa expounds upon the nuances and diversity of pigments and the processes used throughout history for extraction. With the help of select trees he reflects on the intimacy between colourist and plants nourished through technical experimentation and respectful curiosity.

This episode follows a path from the Field of Jars to the East Terrace passing by the Kumbuk, Cashew, Jackfruit, Mahogany, Tamarind and Hibiscus trees. A map with the sites and sounds of this episode along with other resources are available on our websites.

To Lunuganga: https://lunuganga.garden/Tree-Talks-EP02-Plant-Pigments
Geoffrey Bawa Trust: https://geoffreybawa.com/tree-talks

Special thanks to Mr Sanjeewa Wijesundara for his insight and passion for bringing natural dye extraction to the popular discourse and Shamin De Silva for the editing and sound design of this episode.

Tree Talks: Plant Pigments

In celebration of the Lunuganga gardens 75th 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.  

To Lunuganga webpage: https://lunuganga.garden/Tree-Talks-EP03-Shaded-Divinity
Geoffrey Bawa Trust: geoffreybawa.com/tree-talks

Tree Talks: Shaded Divinity

In celebration of the Lunuganga gardens 75th 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.

Architect Aquila Peris shares tales about the garden and his time spent there with Geoffrey Bawa as he walks along his favourite trail at Lunuganga. The garden holds many unexpected and inconspicuous curiosities; items that intrigued, inspired and even influenced Bawa’s practice. This episode is a nod to the spirit of the garden and the notions behind its creation.

This episode draws a path from the Black Pavilion up the stairs to the entrance of the Main House and around to the beloved frangipani tree. A map with the sites and sounds of this episode along with other resources are available on our websites. 

To Lunuganga: https://lunuganga.garden/Tree-Talks-EP04-A-Tree-Story
Geoffrey Bawa Trust: geoffreybawa.com/tree-talks

Special thanks to Aquila Peris for sharing his intimate knowledge of Lunuganga and Shamin De Silva for the editing and sound design of this episode.

Tree Talks: A Tree Story

In celebration of the Lunuganga gardens 75th 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.

This episode is in reverence to Lunuganga, to capture the essence of the garden, brimming with life and wonder, as an auditory experience. The vistas around the garden house varying ecosystems with their own soundscapes that change through the day. Changes in seasons bring with it shifts in care. The delicate and mammoth task of preserving and planning through the years are a credit to the custodians of the garden; this episode is our homage to the pulse of Lunuganga, the gardeners.

This episode follows the auditory landscape from the Sandella, across the Red Terrace, beside the bamboo near the Black Pavillion, to the Field of Jars via the Broadwalk, a cut across the hâ hâ and finally a light trek to the peak of Cinnamon Hill. A map with the sites and sounds of this episode along with other resources are available on our websites. 

To Lunuganga: https://lunuganga.garden/Tree-Talks-EP05-Garden-Rituals
Geoffrey Bawa Trust: https://geoffreybawa.com/tree-talks

Special thanks to Mulle Widanalage Amarasiri, the Head Gardener, for his service, passion and devotion to the care of Lunuganga and Shamin De Silva for the editing and sound design of this episode.

Tree Talks: Garden Rituals

In celebration of the Lunuganga gardens 75th 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 strength of an ecosystem can be measured by the diversity of the birds that call it home. Prof. Sarath Kotagama takes a casual stroll through the varying sculpted landscapes of Lunuganga, and highlights active birds that have formed their habitats in and around the garden. This episode highlights the wonder and adaptability of birds to their environment and how humans too can learn to live in alignment with nature. 

This episode cuts a path up the Hâ Hâ around the house and down to the top of the Broadwalk via the Roman Pavilion. A map with the sites and sounds of this episode along with other resources are available on our websites. 

To Lunuganga: https://lunuganga.garden/Tree-Talks-EP06-Bird-Calls
Geoffrey Bawa Trust: https://geoffreybawa.com/tree-talks 

Special thanks to Professor Sarath Kotagama for sharing his vast knowledge on birds and ecosystems and Shamin De Silva for the editing and sound design of this episode.

Tree Talks: Bird Calls

The Sri Lankan Architect Geoffrey Bawa is one of the most important and influential Asian architects of the 20th century. The podcast of the Geoffrey Bawa Trust builds on the repository of information available on Bawa and his practice, as well as the discourse on art and architecture in the island, through oral histories, lectures and discussions.