Ikebana and us

As part of the year long activities ABK – AOTS DOSOKAI, Tamilnadu Center organizing the Exhibition & Demonstration of Ikebana (Japanese Flower Arrangement) by Ms. Yukari Yumire on 29 th  & 30 August 2015 at ABK – AOTS DOSOKAI, Tamilnadu Centre 3 rd  Floor Chateau D Ampa, # 37 (110) Nelson Manickam Road, Aminjikarai, Ch – 29 Tel. 91-44-2374 3575 / 2374 0318. The exhibition is open to public on 29 & 30 August 2015 between  10 .00  a m and  07 .00pm Demonstration at 11.00am on 29 th  August 2015 at the above venue. The participants are first come first serve basic. Kindly register your names before 27 th  August 2015.

Malathi sensei selected by the Consul-General of Japan in Chennai for a "Certificate of Commendation" in recognition of her distinguished service in contributing to the deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and India. The presentation ceremony of the "Certificate of Commendation" was hosted by the Consul-General, Mr Seiji Baba on Thursday 6th August 2015 at 12:00 noon at their residence  at Chennai.  Consul General reads out the citation. The presentation ceremony The commendations - in English and Japanese. Mr and Mrs Baba with the three awardees. Besides Malathi sensei , the other two awardees were from the ABK AOTS chapters in Kochi and Hyderabad. Consul General urged the awardees to carry on the good work.  Malathi sensei remembered her teachers Uma Rao and Veena Dass on the occasion and thanked the Consulate and the Consul General for the award and their generous words of appreciation.

July 16th 2015 The Chennai Study Group re-assembled after a two month summer break, and members looked refreshed after family vacations and travels! We started off with a whole bunch of announcements by our Chairperson sensei Malathi who updated us on Iemoto Akane's impending visit to Delhi and the Taiwan Regional conference. There were congratulations all around for our two new teachers - Prerana and Trishala - who received their certificates amidst cheers. Fourteen of us gathered for the demonstration by  sensei  Meenu who worked with "Unusual Containers" as her theme. For her first arrangement, she used a moribana container, reversed as a base, and created a structure with wires. Using anthuriums, gypsophila and berries, she created a lovely light composition. Sensei  Meenu's first arrangement - a cheerful, airy, modern look For her second composition, she began with two painted stools. She upturned the larger one, and placed in it a hand ...

16th April 2015  Our last meeting before the summer break was a visual treat with sensei Padma Swaminathan demonstrating freestyle in her inimitable way with lovely baskets. Her first moribana arrangement was highlighted with a Japanese umbrella, complemented with Dressina, Carnations and gypsophelia. Then Padma sensei used an oriental fishing basket, beautifully accentuating the graceful design of the weave with orchids and ornamental leaves in a refreshing freestyle arrangement Her third piece was this beautiful composition which had depth with the use of several materials in a well balanced arrangement.  To the surprise and delight of all, Padma sensei then auctioned the parasol and the fishing basket, and donated the proceeds to the Study Group!   A Big thank you, Padma sensei ! The Group then proceeded into a workshop, with all trying their hand at freestyle composition. In this moribana, Trishala looked to display the...

Everyone's Sogetsu Ikebana Exhibition There is an exhibition by HQ hosted on Facebook.  Go to the link, take a look and take part. Last date for entries is April 30th, 2015.

Preparing the brooms The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board in Mumbai were planning for a programme on "Swach Bharat Abhiyaan". The PM of India Mr Narendra Modi has urged Indians to be part of a clean India movement, and this was one such initiative. Instead of the usual ribbon-cutting opening ceremony, our Chennai Sogetsu Study Group member, Venkatesh, thought of a novel idea. Using the broom as a symbol of cleanliness, and with a theme of white, he created a composition with white roses, Baby's Breath  and used green crotons to complement the green ceramic vases. The upright broom in the nagiere vase was tied together with a satin ribbon, which was to be cut for a symbolic opening of the event. The completed arrangement The Chief Guest was requested to cut the ribbon, and this led to the graceful opening of the broom, with a few bending gracefully and the others remaining upright. Unfortunately there is no picture of the arrangement after the...

14th Feb 2015 Sensei Meenakshi Sarin and Kalpana Kintali  were invited by hotel Hablis to display some large Ikebana for the inauguration of their Wellness Spa and pan Asian restaurant on Valentines Day. Six arrangements in total were done, and the hotel staff appreciated their efforts. It was enriching experience working on this assignment,  as we worked with huge vases, which were brought from  Iran. Ms Nirupa of the hotel, with Sensei Mennu and Kalpana Add caption