Where small is beautiful
THE CITIZENS of Bhopal are rediscovering the oriental art of dwarfing trees (bonsai) with the 13th annual bonsai exhibition being held at the Government Park No.1 on Link Road. With around 300 entries from 22 participants (members of the club), the exhibition, organised by the Bonsai Club Bhopal, is drawing a huge crowd. It is a big hit with those who love to live close to nature but the size of living place is proving a big constraint.
THE CITIZENS of Bhopal are rediscovering the oriental art of dwarfing trees (bonsai) with the 13th annual bonsai exhibition being held at the Government Park No.1 on Link Road. With around 300 entries from 22 participants (members of the club), the exhibition, organised by the Bonsai Club Bhopal, is drawing a huge crowd. It is a big hit with those who love to live close to nature but the size of living place is proving a big constraint.
The three-day exhibition will continue till November 5. The exhibition is open from 10 am to 8 pm. In its sixteenth year of existence, the club has managed to bring in a wide and priceless collection for the bonsai enthusiasts.
Of the thirteen or fourteen varieties displayed at the park, the ones which caught the fancy of the public included bougainvillea, wild tamarind, on rock, juni Paris, Ashoka tree, Mulani Amrit, mini landscape, Indian laurel and the ficus virans (Pilkhan). The last one was the oldest one – a bonsai that is in a healthy condition for 25 years.
“We have also introduced some new varieties this year that comprise the sandpaper wine, wax golden malpecia and the Chinese tea tree which I personally bought in on my recent visit to China. The response has been overwhelming. Many people are even expressed their interest for buying some of these eye-catching pieces,” said Jyoti Pandya, founder president, Bonsai Club of Bhopal.
Other beautiful dwarf trees that attracted the visitors because of their sheer size and style were that of the ‘mame’ (very small with a size around 3” to 6”) kind like the Chinese elm and the Pakhar. Some of these entries have even gone to achieve international acclaim.
Cultivator J. S. Bindra, who also happens to have won the JAL (Japan Airlines) World Bonsai Contest for three consecutive years — from 1999 to 2001 — hopes to repeat his feat this year.
Our club entries have already won some ten international trophies and we are constantly working hard to popularise this old Japanese art through regular workshops and training sessions for those who want to take it as a profession, added Bindra, joint secretary, Bhopal Bonsai Club.
No wonder, the exhibition saw many young admirers enrolling for an instruction capsule, to be held by the experts in the coming weeks. Says Neelam, a bonsai enthusiast, “I like greens and therefore I simply love the forest bonsais with dwarfed trees grown as tufts on handmade bonsai trays.” And the best part of it is that they give a special effect to your living space when decorated with miniature rocks and huts. I would definitely like to learn it,” she added.
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