The Art of Bonsai-2(In India)

Indian Bonsai Association showcases miniaturised trees of different varieties at its Annual Bonsai Exhibition every year at Delhi. Billed as one of the best bonsai exhibitions in Asia, it feature more than 250 bonsai trees that would be aesthetically displayed with cards mentioning their botanical and common name.
According to Indian Bonsai Association, Congress president Sonia Gandhi had not only graced one of its exhibitions but also displayed a maple bonsai created by her. The former President's better half Usha Narayanan; Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sushma Swaraj have also attended bonsai exhibitions organised by the Association. Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan had also graced one of the bonsai exhibitions.

Workshops on these miniaturised trees were conducted by renowned bonsai experts during the 24th edition of the exhibition.

Indian Bonsai Association was formed in 1981 by late Leila Dhanda and Dr. Tayebbhoy with 26 members. It has now grown into one of the leading organisations of the country with around 200 active members. To showcase the art of bonsai, the Association organises specialised events from time to time in which masters of international repute demonstrate their skills, knowledge and experiences of recreating these beautiful looking miniaturised trees.

It also holds regular lectures covering general techniques like re-potting, pruning and trimming of bonsai trees and shares knowledge on specialised techniques to grow bonsai in different natural forms. It also organises workshops in which members' work enthusiastically on their plants under the guidance of senior members.

Peter Chan's views

An IIT graduate, Peter Chan has worked as speech writer for the Tory government. An accomplished Bonsai master, he is all set to demystify this ancient art ..;Peter Chan is a hit with the rich and famous in India. Especially with their wives. But not that the tycoons mind, since Chan teaches them the finer points of a 2000-year-old art Bonsai.

In India, Bonsai is mainly pursued by women, says Chan with a wry smile. Indian men do not think gardening is masculine. But then he is not completely satisfied with the work ethics of the ladies either. Most women make their gardeners do the hard work, he complains.
But that has not diminished Chans popularity among the chiffon-and-pearls brigade. Even when the UK-based Chan popped in for a short visit to Kolkatta in February where he was born and spent his growing years he was literally forced into holding a Bonsai workshop by a womens organisation.
Chan, who has won 16 Chelsea medals (considered the Oscars of the gardening world), is in great demand all over the world for insights into the world of Bonsai. During his last trip to India, he held workshops in Delhi, Mysore, Hyderabad and Mumbai.Besides, of course, Kolkata where he comes back every year to meet up with old friends from Calcutta.

A self-taught Bonsai master, Chan believes in demystifying this ancient art. Anyone with a creative bent of mind and a little bit of patience can practice Bonsai, he says. Of course, a love of plants is a prerequisite. Now the owner of one of the largest nurseries in England, Chan is into designing Japanese gardens too. He is also aware that these minimalist gardens may not find too many takers in India. Japanese gardens are characterised by Zen aesthetics. You have to restrain yourself from doing too much, he says. That might be a bit much for big-spending Indians. But Chan does not mind. He does not come to India to do business. Merely to revive old contacts and spread the gospel of Bonsai to all corners of the country.