“Thickness ≅ 5 cm; Height ≅ 200 cm. Vertical branches @ 50 cm c/c; Horizontal branches @ 20 - 30 cm c/c.” Noting thus in her book, the architect asked Mothi Aai’s grandson while meandering in the waadi, “How is this Vaai constructed?” “We collect branches and twigs from the jungle,” he replied, “Ones that fall on the ground. We also use bamboo. Big and stiff ones are thrust vertically in the mud to mark the boundary. Smaller ones are horizontal ties. Earlier, peels from Dhaman tree’s branches were used to tie them. Now jute or plastic ropes are used. Then we plant seeds of a tree along this frame. When the sapling and other bushes grow, we weave them in the frame to make the Vaai strong. The seeds are of Undir Maarg tree” (trans: Rat Lane). Noticing the listener’s puzzled look, he clarified, \\"The tree’s leaves act as a natural poison for rats making it beneficial for Vaai’s inhabitants. So Rat Lane! Ingraj,” Britishers, “brought it to India and is found across Mumbai. In English, it is called Rain Tree. It will grow into a giant one without much care. We also use it for fencing.” In a Mumbai Metropolitan Region - Environment Improvement Society sponsored study, the Rain Tree’s entry notes: “A massive tree of tropical American origin, growing up to 30m high, with an evergreen foliage forming a broad umbrella like crown ... first introduced to Sri Lanka and from there brought to India, being of great value for railway fuel.”
