Ikebana and us

Its time for a rhyme I think, two days went by in a blink. To Yercaud we went No, not in a tent But to a bungalow with flowers so pink. Seeta was our hostess so gracious, efficient, warm and vivacious. We chattered and laughed Bantered and argued With appetites so voracious!! Butterflies and birds was my quest, But Ashoka was numerologically-obsessed. Mom wanted to see a bison And Prerana insisted on being human! Padma aunty sat serenely While Vaishali giggled incessantly. Dally listened to all the prose Venkatesh, was ever-ready with a pose. Meenu was practical and tactical in dealing with all the views so radical! The jacarandas were in bloom Lavender oil spread its perfume. The hill bananas were such a treat Teneri honey a trifle bittersweet. A casual collection of all of this Made for a composition I'm glad I did not miss. See the magic of the sensei's hands As she brought together disparate strands. I speak not only of the flora artistically composed But also us opposites

Keith Stanley has some useful information and tips on no-kenzan fixtures, using wire, etc. There is a link to a PDF file that gives more detailed instructions as well. No-kenzan fixtures-Part One | SOGETSU ATELIER Part - Two

Sogetsu Ikebana 2010 - a set on Flickr Here are the pictures from our exhibition. If any arrangement is missing, please let me know, and I will add it!

The Hindu review of the Ikebana in Chennai show Beauty, joy in full display at Japanese flower arrangement Staff Reporter Three-day exhibition as part of the Japan cultural festival — Photo: S. R. Raghunathan Enchanting:Bharatanatyam exponent Alarmel Valli looks at a display at the Ikebana exhibition held at the Lalit Kala Akademi, Chennai, on Friday CHENNAI: Dried plants and tree branches hold utmost beauty to them, while spaces, lines, mass and surface are important features of their arrangement. Students from the Sogetsu School of Ikebana showcased their creativity in the Japanese art of flower arrangement, which was inaugurated by Bharatanatyam exponent Alarmel Valli at the Lalit Kala Akademi here on Friday. The three-day exhibition is being organised as part of the Japan cultural festival by ABK-AOTS Dosokai, Sogetsu Study Circle in association with the Consulate General of Japan. In Meenakshi Sarin's arrangement Asia lily, ginger lily and aesthetically cut cane swirls merged

Sogetsu Ikebana at Auroville - a set on Flickr As you wait for me to upload the Ikebana Chennai photos, enjoy this set!