Delhiwale: A tale of two colours

In Hauz Khas Village, people enjoy the sunset hues while the park's pilkhan trees display vibrant leaves, signaling the seasonal shift in colors.

The park around the lake in Hauz Khas Village is full of trees. This evening, however, the picnicking people are more taken in by the sunset hues. The lake’s smelly water is aflame with the twilight’s colour, and no one is looking up at the unusual colours of tree leaves.

Three men chattering, dressed in white, walk under the contrasting pilkhans. (HT)

The park is studded with scores of pilkhan. Currently, the leaves of most of these trees are in their customary green—though the green is looking fresh, as if newly minted. But the leaves of some of the pilkhans are in shades of bronze.

Pilkhan’s old leaves start to fall off during the end of Delhi winters. New leaves come up within weeks. They are born purple. The purple soon transmutes to red. The red transmutes into varieties of russet and bronze, which make the trees look most remarkable.

You don’t necessarily have to come to Hauz Khas to witness the phenomenon. Pilkhan is spread across the megapolis, particularly plentiful in New Delhi boulevards of Neeti Marg and Nyaya Marg. That said, viewing the gigantic pilkhans around the lake in Hauz Khas makes for a more intense experience. Maybe because the place has very many pilkhan trees. Some of these pilkhans have benches placed right under their shaded canopies, on which you may comfortably sit and study the leaf colours in minute detail.

Meanwhile, a corner in the park is marked by two massive pilkhans standing side by side. One tree is completely in bronze. The other is in fresh green. Three men in white walk under the contrasting pilkhans. Suddenly, their gazes go upwards, transfixed by the magical scene. See photo.