Ikebana and us

29th July, 2009 - 5.45 a.m We are all ready and out sharp as planned. We had Mr Sunil Kumar waiting for us with an Innova. We reached the ITC Maurya by 6.00 am. Kamal Mahal, the hall where the exhibition was to be held was already bustling with activity. This beautiful arrangement by Mrs Indu Punj welcomed us at the hall where the inaugural function was to be held. (Materials : Weeping Willow Branches painted Green, Eucalyptus Leaves, Anthuriums and Pumpkin) All kinds of Driftwood, Plants, Flowers, Vases were strewn all over and people were busy working on their arrangements which were in various stages of completion. We were greeted heartily by Mrs Veena Dass and Mrs Kanta Bukhari. Once we got to our alloted places, we unpacked all the boxes of flowers and other materials. I must express millions of Thanks on behalf of our entire team to Amethyst for the wonderful job they did in packing the flowers and plant material SO WELL! They remained very fresh and intact! Meenu already had pro...

28th July, 2009 – Day 2 – 4.30 am Meenu and I arrive on dot at Sensei’s place! Shobha and Dally follow us! The cabs were ready and Sampath did a neat job of loading them nicely. We arrived at the airport at about 5.10am. Ma’am handed over a Sogetsu Catalogue to me which had pictures of all kinds of pin holders and cutters. In case we are to be questioned about the nature of ‘dangerous looking’ ‘weapon-like’ things in our suitcases, I was to explain to them that the pin holders are to bear lovely flowers and exotic branches on them and not to attack anyone :) Shockingly, surprisingly our baggages got past the scanning without any questions. Only we had to pay a little for the excess weight of the flower boxes!! Uncle was just happy to hear that everything went smoothly. But I am sure that Ambika who rang up to hear some news of High-Drama-At-The-Airport was a bit too disappointed to know that things passed un-eventfully!! We took off about 6.30. Once settled, we had the breakfast of s...

27th July, 2009 - Day 1 I arrive in Chennai. After shower and breakfast, I headed for Malathi Sensei’s home. She wanted me to drop some leaves and branches at Amethyst who will pack it alongwith the flowers. The moment I entered, I was given a very warm welcome by.. Pandurang Uncle . He was so very happy and even more relieved to see me..! And to tell the truth, he seemed much more excited than all of us who were going to Delhi!! Sensei had decided upon the arrangements already and we needed to carry Trishala’s antique ‘Masala Box’ which was quite a heavy one. And there were pinholders and more pin holders, cutters, scissors, knives, wires and stuff that might arouse the suspicion of the people at the airport! Uncle was worried that the ladies might face lot of trouble with it.. And when he saw me, he was so happy that there was atleast “one Man”. He opened the suitcase that had the Masala Box and Ikebana accessories and explained to me step-by-step how and where things have been...

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...

I hope the summer heat is coming down atlast!!! Well, with Molly's demonstration coming up next week, its Ikebana time again !!!! Here is a post of the Headmaster's work for July! It is truly a very cooooool One !! Enjoy !! She describes the work ... "Apples and Unshiu oranges decorate the surface of the water, colored by the stem-fluids of allium giganteum. The construction humorously contrasts the stalks in the water and those protruding out of it." Allium giganteum, Bulrush, Apple, Unshiu orange Glass vase - 68×118×91cm Courtesy : http://www.sogetsu.or.jp/english/exhibition/index.html

DSCF1944 Originally uploaded by RabiCherian Our members were in Bangalore during a meeting with demonstration of the Bangalore Sogetsu chapter. More pictures.