*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.

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

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.