Your elders might have always told you that everything big has a small beginning. While it is indeed amazing to see small things assume gigantic forms, it is equally fascinating to see big trees shrunk into smaller forms.

Entering the Kishkindha Moolika Bonsai Garden in the premises of Ganapathy Sacchidananda Ashrama on Nanjangud Road in Mysore gives a surrealistic feeling and often reminds the visitors of their own childhood when small things meant the world to them. There are small trees, exactly resembling big ones in shape, trunk and growth, except for leaves and fruits which seem albeit too big for the size of the trees.

Entering the garden barefoot is a must to enjoy its beauty to the fullest. Soft, cushion-like grass spread over an acre of land gives a heavenly feeling to tired feet. Eyes are also in for a feast, what with 200 rare varieties of carefully shaped bonsai trees, nurtured well under the care of Kusumakka, the in-charge of the garden, displayed neatly against the towering backdrop of the breathtakingly beautiful Chamundi Hills.

There is a Chinese tower right in the middle, surrounded by Chinese path-ways and arch bridges. Shaded acupuncture walk with soft natural pebbles neatly arranged on the ground make the visit to the garden of dwarfs an enjoyable one. A gigantic fountain towards the left side of the garden makes for a soothing sight and the sound of flowing water works wonders on the mind.

Ganapathy Sacchidananda Swamiji, who says Bonsai is another form of preserving trees that are fast disappearing from the ecosystem, was attracted to it right from his childhood. His father preserved medicinal herbs in small containers and this enthused Swamiji to set up a garden dedicated to the oldest form of growing trees in small pots and spaces.

Bonsai, for the ashrama inmates and their seer Sacchidananda Swamiji, is not a leisure hobby. They feel it has gained importance with living spaces shrinking to no end and clean air within such spaces being in short supply. According to them, the need for fresh air in such spaces can be met with these miniature trees. Several medicinal plants can also be grown using the bonsai system and their therapeutic benefits can be utilised without destroying the plants.

The garden has an exquisite collection of bonsai trees from all over the world, including Ficus Microcarpa, Ficus Bengalensis, Ficus Pilkhan, Porticularia Afra, Casurina Equisetifolia Birma, Pemphis Acidula, Ficus Long Island, Ficus Bodhi, Chinese Naple and many others. These trees have been sourced from China, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, West Indies, Canada and many other countries at a whopping cost. The garden is an ever evolving one with new additions and grooming which have been taking place all through the year since its inception in 2005.

In the past

In ancient times, the shaping of bonsai trees was more about sculpting small tree trunks into forms of animals or mystic figures. Originating in China, the practice of cultivating bonsai trees quickly spread to Japan which took Bonsai to different heights of popularity. Earlier on, the containers used for bonsai were quite large in comparison to modern day bonsai tree containers.

Bonsai trees are not inherently miniaturised; in other words, you cannot find a seed that will produce a dwarf tree. But herein lies the challenge of bonsai. If you are clever and patient enough, you can take almost any tree and create a bonsai tree. Which tree you choose to use is dependant on what you are looking for in a bonsai tree. Some species of trees are more sought after than others because of their natural characteristics that make them better suited to particular design arrangements.

The word ‘bonsai’ often conjures up an image of a tree in a tray, but shrubs are included as well. Many an interesting variation in beauty displayed by bonsai is accomplished by species of shrubs as well as trees.

Growing miniature beauties...

A bonsai tree, often referred to as a living miniature tree, requires constant care. Two common misconceptions related to bonsai trees is that they are actually dwarf trees or that they are anti-nature. Pro and anti bonsai speakers have been battling it out for long now, but no sure fire solution or answer has been found yet. However, people who are attracted to the ancient art continue to increase while others who feel it is not in harmony with nature shun it with all their might.

But, one fact about bonsai trees is that it is only through careful manipulation and planning that a bonsai gardener can make miniature models of normal trees. This requires years of patience, dedication and craftsmanship.

In fact, it takes much time, care and pruning to create a bonsai tree. Techniques can be as simple as pruning the leaves and roots and using wires to direct the trunk in forming a shape and keeping it small. Caring for a bonsai tree is also a concentrated art form which demands great sensitivity. The confined space alone can make it difficult to care for your miniature tree. Sometimes, bonsai gardeners rate their challenges the same as someone building a ship in a bottle.

Bonsai trees are a great novelty item because of their size. They make unusual conversation pieces. They can be shaped to your own design. Usually, a well-crafted bonsai tree will increase in value with age. So, with a little research on their care, miniaturisation and shaping process, you can have your own bonsai tree.

Meeting of minds

The Kishkindha Moolika Bonsai Garden acted as venue for the All India Bonsai Convention that was held in Mysore recently, attracting participants from across the country and even abroad.

The convention, hailed as one of the biggest bonsai meets in the country, was organised jointly by Kishkindha Moolika Bonsai Garden, Bonsai Friendship Federation of India and Bonsai Study Group - Indo Japanese Association. About 400 petite beauties were exhibited in all at the convention. Bonsai enthusiasts from various chapters such as Indore, Coimbatore, Pune, Mumbai, Lucknow, Bhopal, Bangalore and Mysore exhibited their ware at the convention. Iwasaki of Japan was conferred with ‘Sasya Bandhu’ title.

The convention, apart from exhibiting some of the rarest bonsai plants, also included workshops, sessions around bonsai, tips on plant care and also the sale of select bonsai plants at nominal prices. Bonsai experts like I C Su and Min Hsuan Lo of Taiwan, Chase Rosade, Guy Guidry and Solita Tafur Rosade of USA and Budi Solistyo of Indonesia were present to share their bonsai knowledge with their counterparts from various corners of the world.