Ikebana and us

Seventeen members of the  Sogetsu Chennai branch met on Saturday, July 26th, after a long summer break. The enthusiasm to meet and enjoy each other's company was palpable at the ABK Hall. By 10.45am, the room was filled with loud conversations and occasional peels of laughter. Summer was almost done (well, almost), and the branch was set to start its activities for the rest of the year. Riji Malathi Pandurang welcomed Ms. Mami Teraoka, Researcher/Adviser, Culture & Information, Consulate-General of Japan  to the gathering of 17 members, and set the ball rolling with important announcements. She briefed the group about the Japan trip in April where a few of the members had attended a Sogetsu workshop in Tokyo with Master Instructor Sumide. Ma'am also spoke about the exhibition held earlier this year in March and the good experiences from the 5-day event. New members Zeenath Kadir, Christine Arati Fernando, and Ragini Prakash were welcomed. The workshop theme of the day was ...

To celebrate four decades of Sogetsu School of Ikebana, New Delhi Branch and in honour of His Majesty Akihito, Emperor of Japan conferring "The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold & Silver Rays" on Mrs Veena Dass,Director, Sogetsu School of Ikebana, New Delhi Chapter an Ikebana Exhibition titled "Celebration" was held on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at Kamal Mahal, ITC Maurya Hotel, New Delhi. Mrs. Salma Ansari, Spouse of the Hon’ble Vice President inaugurated the event. H. E. Mr. Hideaki Domichi, Ambassador of Japan to India & Mrs. Noriko Domichi were the Guests of Honour. Mrs Veena Dass was conferred the decoration in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the India-Japan Relationship. Mrs. Dass’ association with Ikebana began in 1960. She became the founding member of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana Delhi Chapter in 1966 and continues to be its Director to date. Mrs Veena Dass, in her beautiful speech emphasised that rather than differentiating ourselves und...

His Holiness The Dalai Lama visited Auroville. On this occasion, Sensei Valeria did Many Ikebana arrangements to welcome Him. Here are some pictures. (Please click on them for bigger ones). Thank you Sensei. Nice arrangement The Golden Disk of the Matri Mandir (in the background) is used as a vase. Sensei & the monks giving the finishing touch at the Buddha Altar Another arrangement One more Ikebana Sensei at work Finished arrangement The Dalai Lama

Over the years, in our annual exhibitions, I have experimented with urban waste, as a source of art and expression. Initially, I worked with various discarded auto parts - I had an old car that frequently threw up these various parts at me!  Car parts - an early attempt   I recall using these old silencers with the exhaust pipes forming the main lines! My father gave me some tips as to how to make them stand, and where I could fill water, for the fresh material!  My mother of course was the sounding board and provided me the encouragement  to try this idea.  It was also the first time that I worked with limoneum, the everlasting flower, which was used to soften the harsh, metallic lines of the pipes. I imagined the creation to show how even in our urban jungles, there are spots of life (the red carnations!), to brighten our life, and all we need to do is to look out for them. 2006-car radiators! Originally uploaded by ambikach2002 The next year, and I had some discarded radiators to ...

I was desperately looking for Flowering plants that grow on the edges of standing water and I found these pictures :) All of them grow close to water bodies - lakes, ponds etc. I wish i got some of these for the exhibition for my arrangements. Please visit the following link for more details and pictures: http://www.ontariowildflower.com/lakeedge.htm Blue Flag Water Parsnip Loosestrife Purple Plant Marsh St John'swort flower - (I simply love this ) Cardinal Flower Marsh Marigold Pampas Grass (I am sure I have found this in my place :) )