The Village With Banyan Tree - By Swasti Devarshi

Written By: Swasti Devarshi

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Swasti Devarshi presents a heartfelt piece titled "The Village With Banyan Tree" in the Poetry category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This evocative poem transports readers to a time and place where community and familial bonds were as strong and deep-rooted as the banyan trees that shaded them. Through vivid imagery and poignant reflection, Swasti captures the essence of a bygone era, inviting us to reminisce about the warmth and connection once shared within village life.

About the Work

"The Village With Banyan Tree" artfully conveys the transition from communal village life to the isolated existence of modern urban living. Swasti Devarshi uses rich imagery and a nostalgic tone to critique the loss of deep-rooted community bonds. The poem juxtaposes the warmth of shared spaces with the coldness of contemporary life, evoking a longing for the simplicity and togetherness of the past.

The Village With Banyan Tree

Original Submission by Swasti Devarshi

The Village With Banyan Tree

Sometime before,

not just the joint families,

the whole village we regarded

as our home.

One chulha, three generations,

and thirty doors that were

never locked.

Every next house was of

some Chacha or Mama,

every child belonged to each home's cradle

and one thali fed not less than ten.

The old did not live in a corner;

they sat in the center of the aangan,

like the generous banyan tree

in the square —

shading and shielding us all...

Then the city called one day

with golden doors,

village was forcibly folded

into a two-BHK flat.

The aangan shrank into a balcony.

The banyan tree

became a potted plant on a glass table.

Time turned into money,

and we ran out of both.

Yes, we still touched our parents' feet,

but in video calls.

Then we built a dummy village,

gave it an exotic tag

— Old Age Home.

Row after row of identical cots.

The same old evening tales,

told to strangers.

The same festival songs,

sung in voice low

by forgotten mothers.

It's not where we disposed of them.

It's where we left our roots,

our laps and laughters,

our childhood pranks.

The concrete is hard, paint smells strong

with shielded windows, with digital locks.

The loneliness is more of emptiness, abandonment despite abundance.

However the silent hunger in every eye, theirs and ours, remains same —

to, just once more, somehow, live in that village old full of banyan trees.

—-----------------------------------------------------

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, is a prestigious platform celebrating diverse voices in poetry and creative writing. This competition invites participants from around the world to share their unique stories and perspectives, fostering a global community of writers. It stands as a testament to the power of words to bridge cultural gaps and inspire change.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Swasti Devarshi for sharing "The Village With Banyan Tree" with us in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your poem's vivid portrayal of community and nostalgia resonates deeply, reminding us of the enduring value of our roots and connections. Thank you for your contribution and for enriching our literary landscape.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.