Ikebana and us

Tuesday 18th December 2018 Japanese Narcissus is a traditionally loved material by Ikebana artists in Japan, and is used in early spring arrangements.  Book 5 shows the technique of hagumi , to arrange these flowers and their lanceolate leaves.  Sensei Molly Cherian took on the task of demonstrating this style using materials available locally in her garden.  She explained that she was fascinated by the lily family, and the arrangements of Narcissus, and wanted to replicate the effect. Using Yucca leaves and Canna flowers from her garden she showed us the process of disassembling the inner leaves and then reassembling it in the way the artists wants it.  Eleven of us watched with fascination as sensei Molly showed the removal of the hakama (sheath) and she worked with deftness in putting back the leaves in the manner in which she wished, inserting back into the hakama , before placing it in the vase. This was the first composition, with Canna an...

November 29th 2018 Sensei Malathi was requested to create a celebratory Ikebana piece, for the reception hosted by the Consulate of Japan in Chennai, on the occasion of the birthday of the Emperor of Japan. Using a nagiere vase with a golden sheen seemed appropriate for the celebration. Sensei Malathi opted to use ixora branches, with anthurium flowers, sprays of gypsophila, and buds of Oriental Lily for this gorgeous composition. Consul General Uchiyama makes his opening remarks, flanked by the arrangements done by Cherie Venkatesan of the Ohara school and Malathi of the Sogetsu.  The arrangements aptly depict the national colours of both the countries.  Mr Uchiyama emphasised the long and deep ties between the two countries.

November 15th 2018 Twelve members me for the November workshop, under the threat of cyclone Gaja, which turned out to be a non-starter over Chennai.  Our theme was "Balancing Lines", and this was to be followed by a presentation of the visit of our members to Delhi to attend the workshop conducted by Christopher Lim. Here are the creations: Sensei Divya - Bamboo branches and garden leaves with pink chrysanthemums, in a black ceramic container emphasising lines in various forms. Ambika - Continuing experimenting with car air filters as base.  The horizontal lines contrasted with the vertical lines of painted branches, and balanced by the green mass at the base. Chitra Thiagarajan - Bamboo sticks tied together and placed on a ceramic brown vase, along with the delicate creeper, ornamental balls, and a small bunch of bougainvillea pink flowers Jyotsna - Dried coffee branches balanced on the walls of red container with  a branch of orchid to...

The Chennai Sogetsu Study Group took part in the Japan Cultural & Sports Festival on 27th & 28th October 2018, organised by the Consulate-General of Japan in Chennai and the ABK AOTS Dosokai Tamil Nadu centre. The festival included a mini marathon, demonstrations of Judo, karate and Kobudo, film screenings, Origami, bonsai and our Sogetsu Ikebana as well.  There were 14 exhibits done by members. Arrangement pictures are up on our Facebook page, which can be accessed here .

September 22nd 2018 ABK AOTS Dosokai hall Banana leaves are an integral part of Indian culture and flora and diet as well.  We Indians use all parts of the banana plant, from using the leaves as plates, to eating the bananas as fruits, cooking the raw ones as vegetable, and using the flower and stem in our cooking! Banana stem fibre used to be used to tie flower garlands too. As a Study Group we have not used this material in Ikebana, and so Ambika decided to experiment with that in her demonstration.  Thirteen members were present.  She used the surface in various ways. "Invocation" - this was her first composition.  The fresh, young banana leaf was the calm that she hoped for, as she focused her mind, symbolised by the white lotus pith, to help her creativity that would bear fruit, symbolised by the vibrant anthurium. "Indian wedding" Using bottles painted beautifully by her niece, Ambika used the colours of auspiciousness - red, yellow and g...

18th August 2018 Fifteen members gathered for our August monthly meeting.  The agenda this time was a demonstration by sensei Meenakshi Sarin on the theme go Hope in Adversity, and a workshop to follow in the same theme. The Study Group was delighted to welcome back Meenu after her  convalescence and absence from the meetings, and it was an apt title for her personal experiences of the last year. She was assisted by her student Shylaja, and her heartfelt narration that accompanied her compositions inspired all of us who were present. Sensei Meenu's first composition was this freestyle Nagiere.  The adversity was represented by the black vase which seemed to envelop her life.  However, through every nook and cranny, there was an outpouring of hope, symbolised by the white branches moving strongly upwards.  The contribution of friends, family, doctors and Ikebana were represented by the flowers, each unique and different and special.  The Asia Lil...