Ikebana and us

March 14th 2019 The Study Group met at ABK AOTS Dosokai for their March workshop.  16 members attended, still reeling under the shock of the sudden and untimely demise of our member Janaki, sensei and friend.  A silent prayer was offered in her memory before the start of the demonstration and workshop. The day's agenda was demonstrations by Sensei Prerana Mehta and Sensei Trishala Vaishnav. Both of them demonstrated two arrangements each.  There were two themes - Emphasising 'Line' or Colour.   Both of them demonstrated both these themes separately. Sensei Prerana began with a composition to emphasise Line. She started with the line of the brass container and the vertical line of the ceramic brown vase.  The dry bougainvillea branches were very stark lines. "The single anthurium of course tells us that however empty and devoid life is of joy like the branches, still the colour red gives us hope and love. Life goes on with courage", she said as ...

We have lost a dear friend this month.  Rest in Peace, dear Janaki.  What better way for us to remember you than through flowers, Ikebana and friendship. Her demonstration in 2017. She loved anthuriums. 2018 exhibition at Focus Art Gallery Chennai Her ode to spring during her demonstration 2017 - demonstration And thats how we will remember you - a riot of colour and smiles.

February 14th 2019 Our February workshop was attended by Mrs Karen Uchiyama, the wife of the Consul General of Japan in Chennai.  It was a pleasure and honour for the Study Group to welcome her for our meeting. 14 members were present for the workshop. Chairperson Mrs Malathi Pandurang welcomed and introduced her, and we were happy to hear that she was also a Sogetsu practitioner! Chelvi presenting a bouquet She shared with us her experiences with working with different kinds of material, across the world and how the art has given her so many friends as well.   A bouquet of beautiful chrysanthemums seemed an appropriate way to welcome her! Trishala handing her a hamper of jams and sauces from their family factory It was then time for sensei Dalley's freestyle demonstration.  Emphasizing naturalness and gaining inspiration from her beautiful garden,  Dalley created three large compositions. The tree stump from her garden was the centr...