A joyful and inspirational interaction

July 19th 2019

The NAAI or the National Abilympics Association of India organise an Annual State-wise competition of different skill for people with special abilities. 

This time one of the events was a floral art competition, and our senseis Meenakshi and Trishala were asked to coordinate the event, which was not strictly an Ikebana event, but celebrated the joy of flowers and the world of specially abled people.

The contestants were from all corners of the state of Tamil Nadu, and were given container, floral foam, flowers and greens.  They had to arrange the given material in the way they understood best.   The group had varied disabilities, ranging from physical disabilities to being intellectually challenged.

Sensei Meenakshi recounts, "They did the given task very diligently often asking questions in the mode they could. In a few hours Trishala and me became proficient at sign language too. It was very inspiring for us to work with all of them, and see and appreciate how they handled the materials.  The partially blind person used his hands to run over the leaves then cut it out bit by bit.  The lesson we take away from this experience is that flowers bring joy where they go.  Also to see happy contented faces of them all was soothing.  Trishala and myself were very happy we could be a part of this programme."

The participants with their compositions, and with sensei Trishala and sensei Meenakashi