Ikebana and us

17th November 2017 Sandhya with her creations Our November workshop was an unusual one. While we work so hard as a Study Group to create Ikebana with various inspirations, what about the containers that we use? What can we learn from the allied art of studio pottery? Could we use the workshop to highlight unusual containers? Mrs Sandhya Ravi Shankar, a potter who has  studied at Sanskriti - Delhi Blue Ceramic Centre, shared with us her journey and learnings in the exciting world of working with stoneware, and the process of creation and the element of the unexpected and the imperfections. Ten of the Study Group members were present.  Originally scheduled for the 15th, it was re-scheduled due to the forecast of heavy rains. Sandhya took us through an absorbing talk, speaking about the historical and cultural  role that pottery has played, across the world, and the various kinds of pottery, from terracotta to stoneware to porcelain.  She also shared...

In a recent trip to Bangalore, Malathi sensei was able to meet her Ikebana teacher, Mrs Uma Rao, as she does every time she goes to the city.  She looked well, and continues to have a twinkle in her eye!  She was happy with all the updates on the Chennai Sogetsu Group, her Ikebana friends and our families.   "I owe my Ikebana interpretation to her as much as to my School. It is the most fortunate gift I have got", shares Malathi sensei.