Ikebana and us

The newly recognised Study Group met in Meenu's house for its first "official" meeting. There were thirteen members present. Sensei Malathi Pandurang is now The Chennai Study Group Chairperson. Meenakshi Sarin is the Programme Coordinator and Trishala Vaishnav is the Treasurer. The next meeting will be in July. The date will be announced.

12th March 2007 Sogetsu 80th Anniversary exhibition at Tokyo. Happy memories.

As Japan is hit by the earthquake and tsunami, our thoughts go out to the people of that country. So many fond memories I have of my two visits there.... Here are the arrangements of Malathi sensei at the Japan Festival, done on March 9th 2011, at the ABK AOTS Centre. As I was helping her, the pictures were taken in the end after the demonstration. The Cycle of Nature series A tribute to the ceramists who inspire creations in Ikebana The Indian touch

The Hindu : NATIONAL / TAMIL NADU : Fest radiates Japanese flavour Fest radiates Japanese flavour March 10th, 2011 Staff Reporter Demonstrations of Ikebana art, judo and shodo gave visitors a peek into the rich arts of the country From pieces of colourful paper folded into figures of animals and flowers to the leaves arranged meaningfully, every object exhibited at the ABK AOTS DOSOKAI, Tamil Nadu Centre on Nelson Manickam Road radiates a Japanese flavour. The two-day ‘Japan Cultural Festival', with an exhibition and demonstrations of various art forms of the country was organised along with Consulate-General of Japan, Chennai. It was inaugurated by Deputy Consul General of Japan Takayuki Kitagawa on Wednesday. Visitors had a virtual tour of Japan with miniature models of heritage sites. The brief notes on the stunning replicas give interesting details such as ‘Himejijo', a popular structure in Japan that is also called white heron castle because of its white exterior and sembl...

Go to the Flickr page for all the photos. Starting off! Originally uploaded by ambikach2002 Though there was some chaos and confusion before the start, the Ikebana arrangements came out fabulously in the end. The exuberance of our Sogetsu ladies were seen clearly in their creations. Sadly, I was unable to see the first lot of arrangements "live", as I was laid up in bed, but the photos that wer taken by Chitra's daughter was some consolation! Trishala's All Leaf Originally uploaded by ambikach2002 The exhibition was part of a consumer fair sponsored by Dinamalar, and was held at the YMCA grounds Royapettah. A temporary structure was set up, complete with airconditioning. The air conditioner wires though, added some extra "lines" to various creations, as you will see! Vaishali's dramatic composition Originally uploaded by ambikach2002 Freestyle by Seethalakshmi Originally uploaded by ambikach2002 Then there was "the missing camera" episode...

Smart Shopper 2010, the Dina Malar exhibition on at YMCA Royapettah, has a pavillion with more than 40 Sogetsu Ikebana exhibits! Do go and take a look! The exhibition is on from 24th until 27th December, 10am to 8 pm. December 25th evening, the arrangements are likely to be changed and replaced by other pieces, so it is worthwhile going twice!