Ikebana and us

A rather late Happy New Year to all. I am guilty of procrastination and lethargy - not a good way to start 2010 is it? I was rather sternly reminded to get a move on and "post the pictures" of our December and January workshops, and so on this Republic Day holiday, I resolve to do just that! Next month, our annual exhibition is likely to take place, and more details will be posted once plans are finalised. First of all, our December workshop. We spread ourselves in various part of sensei Malathi's home (Ok Prerana, I can just see you laughing at my sentence!) We were to focus on nagiere vases and fixtures, and my efforts to use five materials is on the left. The arrangements were far better than these pictures below - they are from my mobile 'phone. (As usual, Venkatesh, I forgot to take my camera.) Lovely caladium leaves in a composition by Molly A dramatic vase, and Trishala experiments with a large space created y a long line Another interesting vase and Prera...

Malathi sensei did these lovely arrangements for the annual Emperor's party, hosted by the Japanese Consul at Chennai. I was privileged to accompany her and watch her work. Mr and Mrs Minagawa, (the Consul and wife) enjoyed the exhibits. They are so warm, gracious and friendly, that as Malathi sensei says, we do hope they stay on for another term!

To be able to "wonder" is a fascinating experience. To me the wasp's home, which is about 2 years old, is one such item. It is on the inner ledge of the drawing room's eastern window, very close to the seat which I usually use. Many a time, when the wasp was busy with its home, my husband would remark that I ought not to sit there, that I will be stung by the wasp and to move away. But I would sit still, more to show him that creatures in nature generally are harmless. The wasp built it day upon day and to me it was a truly wonderful event to see the progress. We do have squirrels entering the house for the same purpose, but they do damage our belongings in search of soft and fibrous material to complete their home, but they too can pick the most unusual places! So we generally close the window at mid-day while we are resting. When I woke up for tea and went to my usual seat, I saw the wasp hovering by the closed window, as I have obstructed her life's mission/ I ...

Prerana's handwork Celebrations all around. There was deepavali, which meant friends, family and food! The Sogetsu Group met at Prerana's just before the Deepavali weekend, and we were greeted with this lovely floor decoration by her. (Venkatesh almost sat on it, but that's another story!) The DVD of the felicitation function of Veena Dass at Delhi had arrived and we all watched and commented and critiqued and appreciated everything, so there was a lot of noise all through the session. In the midst of this, some Ikebana was also done. Prerana had done a combination vase arrangement, using seven kinds of material, with a tone of brown/rust. With some corrections from the sensei , it ended up looking fabulous, but of course before I got down to taking a picture, (I was busy chattering away, you see), it got knocked a bit, and so sadly I dont have a record of it. I quickly made sure I took pictures of these arrangements, though! Chitra Seethalakshmi Another celebration ha...

All pictures from the original article. FLORA JAP WAY - Exquisite Ikebana The little arrangements of exotic flowers have a method and mentality behind it Ikebana is a form in which nature and humanity are brought on the same platform THE Japanese art of flower arrangeC ment is catching up, with a lot of Chennaiites. Many women are learning this beautiful art form. This is not a simple flower arrangement in a vase, it's more about a form in which nature and humanity are brought on the same platform. Shape and form are important while arranging the flowers to bring out the essence of the arrangement. Stems and leaves are necessary to give the organic feel. "I didn't learn from a school, I learnt ikebana from books," says Lan Minagawa, the wife of the Japanese Consul General in Chennai. She shares that General in Chennai. She shares that she loves "Making ikebanas at home, when expecting guests." Along with flowers from her garden, Lan gets her flowers from Ame...

The Urali displaying colourful symmetry Hello all! After the team went off to Delhi and returned excited, happy and with renewed creativity, things have been quiet around the Sogetsu Chennai team. It was time for the September workshop to be hosted by Seethalakshmi, and what a treat it was! A gracious hostess with a lovely home, an innovative demonstration by Vaishali, gorgeous freestyle arrangements by others (except me!), and of course a super lunch!! Unfortunately, (ok dont yell), I forgot my trusted digicam, and had to rely on my phone cam. From next time, will somebody remind me the previous day to take my camera please?! So, my apologies to Molly and Chitra. Their other arrangements I have not photographed. As we entered Seetha's home, after negotiating the various "No Entry" and "No Right Turn" boards along the way, we immediately spied lovely granite vases as well as beautiful arrangements. Seetha's arrangement in the front lobby Another granite...

The Zen-Images Ikebana Blog Baiko has posted a series of four arrangements using Lotus. Please click on the link and enjoy!