JOIN USAmidst chaotic city life, the members of ‘Vriksha Bonsai Study Circle’ have their own private forest in their backyards and terraces. Hundreds of lush green trees rest cosily in pots and pans, whether it is a giant banyan or an apple and orange orchard. A myriad of colours bloom as these miniatures dig their roots deep.
Co-founded by founder-president Sula Jhaveri and the present president Latha Rao in 1990, the bonsai circle has transformed from a group for a couple of hobbyists to an addiction. Says Sula, “Initially, there were nine of us who got together because of our interest in bonsai. After we got to know each other a bit, we started the club in 1990.” When they first started it, there were just 21 members, but now the group has sprouted and there are numerous members.
‘Vriksha’ recently turned 25 and the members got together to celebrate their love for the Japanese art form. “I’ve been working on bonsai for more than 40 years now. It started as a hobby but then it became therapeutic; it saved my life,” adds Sula. Latha, who was a botanist, agrees that spending time with plants is the best therapy. “I have always wanted plants in my house as I come from Coorg, where there is an abundance of greenery. But since I lived in an apartment, I couldn’t grow many. With bonsai, however, you can have all kinds of trees and plants around you.”
Amit Kumar, an interior designer who has been crafting bonsai since the age of 16, says, “I have been with ‘Vriksha’ for the last 20 years. I visited their exhibition once and was inspired. I have always liked gardening but with miniatures you see huge trees in cities, where there isn’t enough space.” Rajeshwari Sachidananda, the secretary, adds that everyone should keep bonsai because they make you feel relaxed in cities where nature is hard to come by.
Comparing her plants to children, Uma Shankar, who has also been with the club for 20 years, says that the best part about keeping bonsai is the constant change one sees in the plants.
“There is some change every day; it’s like raising children. In fact, the difference is that human children cry or say something if they are hungry or need something. But the bonsai wilt and whither if they aren’t watered properly.” This is a common sentiment among all bonsai lovers.
While there is a common misconception that bonsai is just for show, Sujatha Prakash, who has been practising the art for 30 years, says, “I make pickle with the gooseberry that my bonsai produce! I mainly grow fruits so that my grandchildren can eat them.” Champa Kabra, who has a collection of 400 bonsai, adds, “They definitely produce fruit but they don’t taste very good.”
There is also a lot to learn from this art form, along with patience and compassion, as Ravi Kiran explains, “Humans always want more and more, but a happy human is one who is content with what he has. Bonsai are like that — all the trees are green, full of life and bear fruits and flowers. Unless a tree is happy, it won’t flower. They are happy with the space and resources available to them, and humans can learn from that.” Anupama Vedachala, a botanist, adds, “We expect one thing from the plants but something completely different happens, and that’s what life is all about.”
Sabitha Reddy, who has been at it for 15 years, says that even small acts like trimming a plant, re-potting it and watering it are a learning process.
Champa agrees and adds that they need a lot of care. “They need to be re-potted and defoliated twice a year. Also, they have to be kept in sunlight.”
According to Kanaka Balaraman, who calls bonsai her passion, they help you forget your worries. Anupama (and the rest) agree that this is a unique way to keep oneself completely occupied, as they spend anywhere between half an hour to three hours in the garden.