‘Mandakini'

For those of us who cannot have huge gardens, Bonsai, the Japanese art of nature sculpting, gives a chance to connect to nature. Bonsai, which means ‘Tree scenery', is the art of aesthetic miniaturization of trees by growing them in containers.

It is a myth that Bonsai is cruelty on plants or distortion of nature. Trees are pruned and groomed to give them shape-much like we cut our nails and hair. They are fed regularly. They bear fruits and flowers and respond to seasonal changes as trees do.

‘Jackie'

Bonsai art requires hard work, patience and dedication. It is acknowledged that getting involved in bonsai is a great de-stressor. It is nature therapy which can be beneficial to people caught up in high- pressure jobs. Bonsai trees live over a hundred years. They are passed from generation to generation as family heirlooms.

Dr. Indira Misra is an acknowledged expert in creating Bonsai and Tray Gardens. Tray gardens combine the aesthetic sense of ‘Ikebana’ in a more permanent arrangement compared to the short-lived flower arrangements. Indira received extensive training from Japanese Masters in the art of Ikebana and Bonsai for over eight years before taking up this art form seriously. She is the founder member and teacher of the Delhi Chapter of Ohara School of Ikebana. She gives lecture demonstrations in Ikebana and Bonsai and holds workshops for those who are keen to learn the art.

She lives in Gurgaon (India) and can be contacted on telephone no. +91124-26877818 or at email: misraindira@yahoo.co.uk

(“Mandakini”- Bonsai of a ficus tree by Indira; “Jackie” an example of tray garden by Indira)