Ikebana and us

20th November 2021 For our November workshop, our Chairperson Sensei Malathi, chose an interesting theme of "Texture".  There was a discussion as to whether we could do it face to face, or should we do it via online. Finally, while participation was online, our sensei Pushkala braved the heights of the Chennai monsoon to use the ABK AOTS Dosokai venue and Zoom link to demonstrate on this theme. As usual, she was well planned for her demonstration and also meticulous in her execution.   She began with a wooden vase, for which she used the cane swirls to highlight the texture of the vase. The mirroring of the vase design as well was skilful, and the single anthurium - brought a focal point.   For her second composition, Sensei Pushkala brought out an interesting steel grill painted black - a structure that she created  and painted herself!   Her dark coloured saree prevented us from seeing it well, so we requested her to display the vase, and here is a screenshot of the structu

24th October was a memorable day for us at Chennai Sogetsu, as we kicked off our establishment as a Branch with a wonderful online demonstration from Tokyo by Riji Sensei Ken Katayama. Sensei Katayama needs no introduction to the Sogetsu community around the world, and his presence drew participants from all over the globe!  The Sogetsu community took part in our happiness, and we had so many wishes from across the world. Every composition reflected his joy and the mood of celebration and it was a  wonderful and masterful  display for us all.   Beginning on a festive note, with the celebratory colours of gold, he quickly and  deftly gave us 10 "jewels", with a wide variety of materials, vases and styles, interweaving the principles and techniques of Sogetsu as well. Do click on the link below for details of all the arrangements, with good pictures. Sensei Ken Katayama's online demonstration for the start of Chennai Sogetsu Branch - Google Photos Sharing some of the commen

25th September 2021 It was once again time for our online monthly meeting via Google Meet.  This month, our recently qualified sensei Chitra Thiagarajan was going to give a demonstration on the challenging theme of exhibiting surface, line and mass in a single composition.  Members were excited and challenged by the theme, and we all looked forward to Chitra's interpretation. After ensuring that the camera positions and the video and audio were fine, we were ready to go.  About 15 members had logged in, and Chitra was her smiling confident self.  She began her demonstration with a moribana on a small ceramic plate, with a banana leaf, propped up from behind, to show surface. Explaining what she was doing, and working quickly and deftly, she added the lines of the umbrella plant, to bring movement and drama to the composition and finished off with Alamanda flowers as a mass.   By Sensei Chitra T - Banana leaf, umbrella plant and allamanda flowers -  in a ceramic plate.  Surface, Lin

 August 11, 2021 Sensei Dalley Verghese, a member of FLO - FICCI Ladies Organisation - was instrumental in our Sogetsu group's first public demonstration, since the start of the pandemic in 2020.  It was an exciting proposition. Riji Malathi, our Chairperson requested the teaching sensei of the group to accompany her and demonstrate the art.  The title of the demonstration was "Ikebana:  A Mindful Practice" . Sensei Dalley had a beautiful Ikebana composition to welcome all, at the entrance The event was organised at The Folly, in the Amethyst compound, and the morning started off with a little talk on bonsai before we started our demonstration. Riji Malathi introduced the art to the 20 odd members who were present in the hall.  Other FLO members as well as our Group members were present and viewing online. In her opening remarks, she emphasised the role of Line and Asymmetry as key to Ikebana, and the need to be one with the material and respond to it. We adhered to the C

 14th July 2021 18 members signed in to Google Meet for our first workshop for the new year.  Once again, we had to meet online, as Covid had raged in Chennai May and June, and while on downward trend in July, definitely still very active. The topic for our workshop was one of the lessons of book 5 - showing Lines at the base.  The demonstration was done by Sensei Divya, and our new sensei Chitra Rajan, from their respective homes. We began with sensei Divya.  She started with a classical Sogetsu ceramic compote, and worked an abstract composition using umbrella plant and anthuriums, displaying the lines at the base.  She began by placing the umbrella plant material in full length into her kenzan, and then bending it at the height that she desired.  This helped her to work quickly and efficiently. Her final composition, showing lines at the base Her second arrangement was also abstract, this time with bulrush and heliconia. The triangle of the vase beautiful mirrored in the triangles a