Flower Power

When it comes to Ikebana,the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement,less is more n Jagmeeta Thind Joy

When it comes to Ikebana,the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement,less is more
Whats the first thing you look for when choosing a bouquet from your neighbourhood florist? For most of us,the number of blooms in a decoration holds the key. However,it was just the opposite that worked for a young college student,back in 1969. Birinder Khullar signed up for a flower arrangement competition in Chandigarhs popular Rose Festival. Few had heard of the Japanese Ikebana style, reminisces Khullar,now a grandmother and a successful floriculturist of Punjab. While minimalism in flower arrangements is something the quintessential Punjabi hasnt taken a fancy to till date,her scanty decoration using few stalks and two roses titled Through the Green Edges bagged her the top spot at the Rose Festival in 69. Since then,Khullar has participated in every Ikebana competition held at the Rose Festival,which is now better known as Festival of Gardens and,more often than not,held her own. Ikebana isnt just about putting flowers in a container. Its a disciplined art form that concentrates on bringing harmony between nature and man, says Khullar as we enter her floral studio The Green House in Chandigarhs Sector 9.

Daughter of an Army officer,Khullar grew up travelling the country and developed a fondness for flowers. My mother was an inspiration. Our home was always dotted with little flower arrangements she put together herself, she says. Not surprisingly,Khullar signed up for a course in interior decoration and honed her skills in Ikebana. The Japanese art of flower arrangement always brings out the best in me, says the floral expert who supplies flower arrangements not just in the country but overseas as well.

THE FIRST CUT
Remember,in Ikebana,less is more and only natural elements are used, says Khullar .Contrary to the idea of floral arrangement as a collection of multiple flowers,Ikebana is more about styling and emphasising not just the flowers but stalks and leaves as well, she says. Equally important is the shape,line and form the arrangement takes. There are different styles depending on the school,the plants and vase used in Ikebana, says Khullar. Leafing through an Ikebana card book titled Misho School: Kakubana Style by Koho Hihara Khullar says,It was during the 15th Century that Buddhist monks developed the art. For them it was an expression of the beauty of nature and the arrangements were placed in areas of worship. The Kakubana style is classic in nature and comes from the Misho school founded in the recent 19th century. The rules in this style are to create flower arrangements for everyday life and places. Its a freestyle that I have practiced over the years.
Today,there are umpteen schools in Japan propagating Ikebana and the rules vary accordingly. Traditionally,Ikebana uses flowers such as chrysanthemum,camelia,magnolia or narcissus but there are no rules limiting the choice of flowers or greens to be used, says Khullar who has often plucked roadside shrubs and wild flowers to complete her Ikebana arrangements. The approach to an arrangement is the same as it would be to a new painting creativity is paramount, says Khullar as she points to a container artistically done up using a single white lily and some umbrella palms from her garden.

MIX AND MATCH
With no limitations on the choice of flowers or foliage,selection doesnt take long. A free style arrangement is called Jiyuka, says the expert as she pulls out a flat ceramic container for the arrangement. It can be flat,long,round,tall,and small and in any material,be it ceramic,glass or even wood, says Khullar as she fills up the container with water and places a square-sized gardeners oasis in the centre. This is a deviation from the rule, she says. She explains that in traditional Ikebana,iron holders with pointed ends called Kenzan are used. She then places soft,white pebbles in random order in the container. For this arrangement,Khullar has chosen to use two liliums in sun-kissed orange,a few leaves of variegated croton,gladiola leaves and some dried ladys lace. Apart from greens,one can also use twigs,driftwood,and pine cones to give shape to your arrangement, she says.

SHOOTS IN SIGHT
While Khullar is demonstrating a free-style Ikebana arrangement,there are some schools that have rules defining the placement of not just flowers but holders too. Broadly,the structure of a Japanese flower arrangement is based on a scalene triangle. The standing style called Rikka is quite popular. The top part of the arrangement symbolises heaven while the middle is for man and the base for earth. Our aim is to bring a harmony among the three, she says.
Theres a reason why Ikebana is referred to as an art. Just like in a painting,how an artist chooses his colours,placement et al,similarly in Ikebana,the arrangement signifies a brush stroke, she says.

PLACE STATION
Khullar picks up the tall gladiola leaves,trims a few edges with a pair of scissors and places the leaves in the oasis. She then takes a taller Lilium and settles it next to the greens. I am working heaven downwards, she informs reaching out for the other flower. She then cuts the flowers length to half and places it next to its tall counterpart. Thats man on earth, she signals before assembling a few croton leaves right at the bottom. This is earth and its green, she says.Next,the dried ladys lace is placed between the two lilium flowers. This,we learn,is Khullars interpretation of mans journey from earth to heaven.

THE NAMESAKE
Looks apart,Ikebana is steeped in the philosophy. Thats why you see arrangements being given a name that often has a meaning attached to it, says Khullar who finds it de-stressing when working in her studio. Ikebana arrangements are made more and revel in the fact how even a single leaf or twig has so much personality and beauty. Also the reason why you see driftwood being abundantly used in the arrangement is in silence. Thats when you begin to appreciate nature much because it signifies strength in Japan, says Khullar as the arrangement is complete and is titled,The Journey Within.

Story continues below this ad

THE VERDICT: Ikebana lets you be creative while being flexible with choice of materials,well give it an eight out of ten.
YOULL NEED
A container
Gardeners oasis or pin holders
Pebbles or rocks
Twigs,leaves,driftwood
Flowers,any kind
Greens,all natural
Gardening scissors