Dying Chinar(The Speaking Tree)

THE DYING CHINAR
(The Speaking Tree)

A Film By Junaid Handoo

In December 2016, Tourism Minister esrtwhile JK State made a shocking remark about Chinar tree. To the surprise of all he revealed that the number of Chinar has fallen from 43000 to 7000, which lead to statewide protests. The statement dominated the headlines for somedays and everyone demanded stronger laws for conserving this tree synonmous with history, culture, customs and heritage of Kashmir ..
DYING CHINAR draws the public attention by synthesising religious appeal with and contemporary environmental demands.Filmed beautifully over 2 years in the Himalayan state by a team of dedicated professionals, this film is a powerfull dramatical portrait of Kashmir’s most respected and worshipped tree locally know as Chinar or BOONÌ (Platanus orientals or tree of medicine ). Chinar compares its royal patronage,reverence, of yesteryears with present day pain , agony and deforestaration .it unfolds chronological events of its history spread over 300 years.
The film circles around the storytelling of Chinar by itself touching the social, cultural ethos of Kashmir. The majestic tree narrates the importance of enivorment etched in inner faith of saints , Preachers and prophets who taught compassion under it’s cool shade.Chinar reminds us how much destruction we’ve inflicted on the planet. However, through the use of spoken word and poetry,
DYING CHINAR is gentle effort to portray the plight of this magestic tree . The loss it has suffered at the hands of greedy humans. The film is aimed to inculcate a sense of respect in our younger generations and compensate for the loss we have inflicted on Chinar. The film revolves around preservation , conservation and respect for nature.
Lets all love and respect nature