Divinity Of Colours, Confluence Of Culture.... Ikebana is an art form that has transcended boundaries and, though embedded in traditional Japanese culture, its variants and manifests are limitless.

Amitabh Sharma, Contributor

Photos by Amitabh Sharma The beauty and abundance of
 nature with the bold red of the anthuriums elevating this Ikebana.

Published: Sunday | December 21, 2014 

It is that time of the year. As the skies turn grey, days become shorter, cool air kisses the skin, the world erupts with joyous emotions, colours and celebrations, nothing expresses the delight of any festive season more than flowers.

Ikebana is an art form that has transcended boundaries and, though embedded in traditional Japanese culture, its variants and manifests are limitless. This ancient form of flower arrangement combines aesthetics with therapeutics and transcendental energy.

Ikebana ... labour of love and meticulous
 craftsmanship.

Ikebana, loosely translated as the art of arranging cut stems, leaves, and flowers in vases and other containers, evolved in Japan over seven centuries ago. Though the arrangements might, like the Japanese tradition, look minimalist, there is a methodology involved in these creations

Ikebana ... labour of love and meticulous
 craftsmanship

"One can arrange the stems and flowers as one wishes," said Dr Pauline Milbourn, president of Ikebana International St Andrew Chapter. "But we have to be familiar with different ways of fastening and positioning the flowers, which come after training on Ikebana techniques." more