Brij V. Lal's "The Tamarind Tree"

About the Author

Brij Vilash Lal (1952–2021) was a prominent Indo-Fijian historian, writer, and academic. Known for his vast contributions to the history of the Indian diaspora, especially in Fiji, Lal wrote extensively about indentured labour, identity, migration, and the cultural memory of displacement. His storytelling often mixes history and fiction to represent the emotional landscape of communities that faced exile and uncertainty. "The Tamarind Tree" is one such fictional work that deeply reflects Lal’s scholarly knowledge and personal empathy for his people.

Detailed Summary

"The Tamarind Tree" is a short story that centers around themes of memory, home, loss, and generational changes in the Indo-Fijian community. The story begins with the return of the narrator to his childhood village in Fiji after years of living abroad. He returns to attend a family event, but what really pulls him back is his longing to reconnect with his past, particularly with the tamarind tree that stood near his old home—a symbol of his roots and the life left behind.

As the narrator walks through his old village, he observes how much has changed. The once vibrant sugarcane fields seem silent, and familiar faces have either passed away or moved out. He is struck by the transformation in values and the decay of cultural intimacy. Where once people shared joys and sorrows, now he feels an emotional emptiness. The tamarind tree, once mighty and full of fruit, stands weakened, echoing the condition of his heritage.

The heart of the story lies in the narrator’s recollections of his childhood—of growing up under the shadow of that tree, listening to his grandmother’s stories, and playing with local children. He remembers how the tree served as a shelter, a secret meeting point, and a silent witness to many rites of passage. His emotional bond with the tree is not just personal—it reflects the collective memory of an entire community uprooted and scattered.

Throughout the story, the narrator grapples with guilt for leaving and with a sense of alienation from both his current life and the one he left behind. The tamarind tree becomes a metaphor for enduring cultural memory—battered but still standing. By the end, the narrator sits quietly under the tree, reflecting on everything he has lost, but also realizing that some connections never die. They live on in memory, in soil, and in stories.

Character Analysis

The Narrator

The unnamed narrator is a deeply reflective character whose journey is both physical and emotional. His return to the village is not just a homecoming but a pilgrimage to rediscover his origins. Torn between two worlds—the one he lives in now and the one he came from—he represents the voice of the diaspora, constantly negotiating identity and belonging.

Grandmother

The narrator’s grandmother appears mostly through flashbacks, but her presence is vital. She embodies wisdom, tradition, and storytelling. Her tales under the tamarind tree shaped the narrator’s childhood and values. She symbolizes the matriarchal roots of culture and memory in many traditional Indian households.

The Tamarind Tree

Though not a person, the tamarind tree functions as a central character. It is the anchor of the story—the living memory of the narrator’s past. Like the banyan in Indian myths or the Bodhi tree in Buddhism, it represents knowledge, protection, and sacred space. Its decline mirrors the fading traditions and values in the narrator’s village.

Themes

1. Diaspora and Identity

The story captures the diasporic condition through the narrator’s reflections on home, memory, and belonging. Like many Indo-Fijians who migrated, the narrator finds himself in a liminal space—neither fully here nor there. This theme resonates with anyone who has left their homeland in search of a better life but finds the heart yearning for the familiar soil.

2. Memory and Nostalgia

Much of the story is driven by the power of memory. The tamarind tree becomes a vessel through which the narrator recollects his past. His nostalgia is not idealized but grounded in emotional truths—the joy of childhood, the pain of separation, and the longing for a vanished world.

3. Change and Decay

The story explores how time transforms landscapes, people, and values. The once vibrant village is now quiet and disconnected. Relationships feel hollow, and rituals feel mechanical. This change is natural but also tragic, especially for someone who returns expecting familiarity. The decay of the tamarind tree is symbolic of this loss.

4. Nature as Memory

The tamarind tree stands as a silent guardian of the past. In Indian and Indo-Fijian cultures, trees often hold spiritual and emotional significance. Here, it becomes a symbol of rootedness, endurance, and the memory of those who came before. Its presence reminds the narrator—and the readers—that nature is an archive of human experience.

5. Displacement and Rootlessness

The story reflects the psychological impact of displacement on migrant communities. The narrator’s discomfort is not just about geography but emotional uprootedness. Even when he returns, he doesn’t quite belong anymore. The story gently critiques the cost of migration—not just in what is gained but in what is lost forever.

6. Cultural Transition

The story comments on how Indo-Fijian culture has shifted over generations. While the elders held traditions close, younger people seem disconnected. The rituals are performed, but the spirit is missing. The narrator mourns this cultural dilution. It’s not just a personal loss but a communal one.

Symbolism

The Tamarind Tree

More than just a tree, it is the central symbol of the story. It represents the narrator’s past, community memory, and cultural continuity. Its decaying form suggests the fragility of heritage when not nurtured. Like memory, it survives in parts, in roots deep within the soul.

Childhood Stories

The grandmother’s stories under the tamarind tree reflect oral traditions passed down through generations. They are not just entertainment but moral and cultural education. These stories are now fading, just like the village customs. The narrator fears that without storytellers, the soul of a people disappears.

Conclusion

Brij V. Lal’s "The Tamarind Tree" is a deeply emotional narrative that resonates with anyone who has felt the ache of returning to a place that no longer feels like home. It’s a tribute to memory, to places and people lost in the flow of time, and to the trees that hold our stories even when we forget them. Written in simple yet powerful prose, the story leaves the reader with a quiet sadness—but also a tender hope that roots, once planted deep, never fully die. They wait, under the soil and sky, to be remembered.

Sources

1. Lal, Brij V. "The Tamarind Tree" (Fictional Story, Anthology Sources)
2. Trivedi, Harish. "Postcolonial Literatures: Contexts and Theories."
3. Mishra, Sudesh. "Diaspora Criticism and the Indo-Fijian Experience."
4. Lal, Brij V. "Bittersweet: The Indo-Fijian Experience."
5. Relevant secondary discussions in Journal of Pacific History.