Shri T.P. Srinivasan IFS, former Ambassador,
Smt. Sneh Prasar, President, south Asian Bonsai Federation,
Mr. Jun Llaga, Philipines,
Mr. Mike Siow, Malaysia,
Mr. Vincent Mansano Ferrer, Philipines,
Miss Chen Chunyan, China,
Smt. Renu Vaish, New Delhi,
Shri Sudhir Jhadav, Mumbai,
Smt. Jaya P. Nair, Secretary, Kerala Bonsai Association,
Shri Ravinddran Damodhar, President, Kerala Bonsai Association,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
A very Good Morning to everyone.
I am very happy to inaugurate the National Bonsai Convention organized by the Kerala Bonsai Association.
Let me begin by placing my deep sense of appreciation for the efforts of the Kerala Bonsai Association in organizing a National Convention with the participation of internationally known experts in the field. Such participation would go a long way in popularizing the art of Bonsai.
The famous English essayist Francis Bacon once wrote that God Almighty first planted a garden, and it is the purest of human pleasures. The sight of flowers in different colours, fluttering and dancing in the breeze can inspire us with a feeling of happiness. No wonder, everyone likes to make the homestead colourful with plants and flowers. But in these days, when the very idea of the courtyard is getting replaced by the little balcony-space in the apartments, people have to look for alternate ways of making life colourful. It is here that the art of Bonsai gaining great relevance.
As we all know, Bonsai is the ancient Japanese art of cultivating artificially miniature trees in small containers. The perfection that we seen in Bonsai plants remind us of the culture of perfection that the Japanese people have cultivated over countries and meticulously made visible in their actions and products. We also hear of the Chinese origins of this art form and about how the influence of Zen Buddhism may have helped it to spread to Japan. All these point to a long history and a rich tradition behind the art of Bonsai.
The Bonsai creations which remind us of miniature art, can capture the attention of every plant lover. When we know that a Japanese Bonsai tree could fetch 1.3 million dollars in an auction in 2015, we realize the effort and dedication that go into such creations.
Having lived in Kerala for the past four years and observed the Keralites’ lover for novel ideas and challenges, I am not surprised that quite a good number of people have developed a keen interest in Bonsai. Such people joining together to form the Kerala Bonsai Association with the objective of spreading awareness about the art of Bonsai was a very positive step. I am certain that the late Aleykutty Abraham Thaliathwho formed the Kerala Bonsai Association with less than 25 members would have foreseen the prospects of Bonsai in Kerala, at a time when it was popular only on cosmopolitan cities outside the State.
I am happy to note that the initial members like
Smt. Padma Pillai and Smt. Aleykutty Abraham Thaliath had a desire to learn more about the art-form. It was this enthusiasm which made them associate Shri Ravindran Damodhar of Nagercoil so as to arrange the first Bonsai exhibition in 1995.
Training plays a key role in popularizing any art. In the case of Bonsai, I am told that Shri Ravindran has been regularly giving training on behalf of this Association. Unlike other hobbies, the miniature art will endow a person not only pleasure but patience, perseverance and peace of mind.
As a person hailing from an agricultural family, gardening and farming are close to my heart. However, I was not acquainted with Bonsai creations until I noticed some plants kept in front of Raj Bhavan. Only when I inquired about it, I came to know that these miniature flowering trees were placed by Smt. Jaya Nair, who is the Comptroller at Raj Bhavan and the Secretary of the Kerala Bonsai Association. In fact, her interest in gardening and aesthetic sense reflect in the well maintained garden for which Raj Bhavan is quite popular. Many of our guests have admired the small collection of Bonsai plants Smt. Jaya Nair has placed there.
I hope the presence of Bonsai masters like Mr. Jun Llaga, Mr. Mike Siow, Mr. Vincent Mansano Ferrer, Miss Chen Chunyanand Indian masters like Shri Ravindran Damodhar, Smt. Renu Vaish, Shri Sudhir Jhadavand others would help to improve the skills and expertise of our Bonsai enthusiasts.
In conclusion, I would suggest that such training programmes should be held more regularly so that by the time the Association completes 30 years, the number of members would have doubled. Moreover, young entrepreneurs in horticulture and floriculture could be encouraged to take up Bonsai making along with their regular business so that they can earn more. I hope the Kerala Bonsai Association would think over this suggestion.
I convey my best wishes for the success of the National Convention and wish all over our guests a very pleasant stay in Kerala.
I compliment the organizers for conducting this function in a befitting manner.
Thank You,
Jai Hind.
