I chanced upon the word komorebi a few years ago during a trip to Japan. This rather mellifluous-sounding expression is what dappled rays of sunlight that filter through trees are called, the ones that create a carpet of shapeshifting art on the forest floor.

Sadly, my immutable urban existence over the last two years of the covid-19 pandemic ill-afforded me the luxury of waxing lyrical. Thankfully all that changed in May this year as I headed up the winding mountain roads on a five hour of drive from Pantnagar airport towards the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary.