Ikebana and us

Working with linear mass. Malathi sensei demonstrates with kora grass sticks and roses Prerana uses subabul pods and anthuriums Pushkala masses umbrella plant, and complements with colourful ixora Chitra complements the wall of bleached material with ixora and leaf Trishala highlights the design in her vase with tall carnations and slender bamboo Venkatesh draws focus to the Cale he found at the florist! Seethalakshmi highlights the space, as she masses up the red stalks Molly contrasts the blue of her vase with the pink of the flowers balanced by the massed lines

Auroville -the exhibition hall At Auroville - For 5 Days ay "Hall Of Light" in CREATIVITY. Its on! Until February 26th, 9 am to 12:30 and 2-5:30pm. A group of us from Chennai visited, and what a lovely day it was! Inspiring Ikebana, Poetic pottery And loads of laughter, camaraderie and junk food! Auroville - I think this was by Suzie More pictures will follow. At Chennai - At Lalit Kala Akademi “Ikebana In Chennai”. The exhibition will be open from February 26th. There will be a small demonstration in the morning at 11 am by Sensei Molly and Sensei Meenu at 11 am. There will be a formal inauguration by renowned Bharatanatyam artiste & choreographer Padma Bhushan Alarmel Valli on Friday, 26th February 2010 at 5.30 p.m. at Lalit Kala Akademi, #4, Greams Road, Chennai – 600 006. The exhibition will remain open on 27th & 28th February 2010 from 11.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m

Here, I would like to post pictures of some arrangements that I liked. Only a few of the many. This one is by Mrs Indu Punj. I like it so much for the gorgeous Chinese Peonies. I wonder whether they are available in India! Mrs Punj brought them from London a couple of days before the exhibition. They are so beautiful and fragrant too. She has combined Ixora branches, some vines and dracena leaves also - (sorry if I am wrong) This arrangement was liked by all, I am sure. The colour, the lines and the harmony is very striking. I dont remember the name of the artist. You can enlarge the pic and see if you wish. This simple but lovely arrangement is by Avni Chug. This is a "Rikka Shofutai" arrangement by Mr Vivek Rao of Bangalore. This a classical Ikenobo School Arrangement. I am sure everyone can make out the difference. This style of Ikebana is more than 500 years old, Mr Rao told me!! Wow! This is an Ohara School style Landscaping by Mrs Rahmatullah. This senior Ikebana member...

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...

Molly, who has recently earned her teacher's certificate from Sogetsu school, celebrated by giving us all a small demonstration! Held in her lovely house, we all assembled after a gap of two months, and it was so nice to see all the smiling faces again! Crossing this sapota-laden tree, we entered, and of course, soon the house was filled with laughter, chatter and bonhomie. Molly looked nervous and tense, and had a strained smile on her face, but I think all our leg-pulling relaxed her. Or so, we thought! As we waited for everybody to assemble, I admired this lovely vine as it made its way up the side of her house. On with the show then! Demonstrating from the back, Molly was well prepared with her materials and containers organised in such a way that she could quickly move from one arrangement to the other, with a minimum of fuss. She interspersed her demonstration with a little explanation of the choice of her materials, and what she was aiming at. Castor plant and asters in a c...

In This Series, We Meet Unusual Groups. This Week, Learn About Ikebana With The Chennai Sogetsu Study Circle Priya M Menon | TNN They see beauty even in dry leaves and driftwood. In a discarded bouquet, they see a treasure trove of possibilities. For the members of the Chennai Sogetsu Study Circle, anything in nature has charm and is to be treated with respect. A sentiment which is reflected in the art they strive to master — ikebana or the Japanese art of flower arrangement. If you think ikebana is just flower arrangement, you couldn’t be more wrong, says Malathi Pandurang, who was instrumental in setting up the circle 15 years ago. “It originated in Buddhist temples as an offering of flowers,” says Malathi. “Priests used it to teach disciples the transcendent quality of life.” Ikebana has many schools, the oldest being Ikenobo. The Sogestsu school was founded by Sofu Teshigahara, who recognised it as a creative art. And it is to this school that the members of this Circle belon...

Japan Cultural Week was celebrated at the Lalita Kala Academy, Chennai. It included Japanese Dolls Exhibition and Tea Ceremony. Some members of the Sogetsu Chennai Study Group did Ikebana arrangements as well. Here are some Pictures. By Vaishali Vaishali Meenu Molly Meenu