<p>The subtle and intricate Japanese art of bonsai has not caught on in Bangalore like ikebana.<br /><br /> It thrives only in the loving homes of dedicated bonsai enthusiasts. </p>.<p>Bonsai, the art of stunting the growth of trees and shrubs requires patience, care and undying interest.<br /><br />For Sita Rao, a septuagenarian, bonsai is a passion. <br /><br />Rows of miniature plants and trees line her front yard. For the past 25 years, she has been nurturing these plants in her garden. She boasts of a collection of over 18 tiny trees. <br /><br />She says she has loved greenery ever since she can remember.</p>.<p> “I’m very fond of plants, whether its floral or foliage. I’ve always been growing something or the other.”<br /><br />Her balcony has succulents, mostly cacti and aloe vera. <br /><br />“I tried growing vegetables but there are too many rats in the house and they eat everything up. But we do have a papaya tree,” she adds. <br /><br />How did she learn to grow bonsai?<br /><br /> “I learnt it on my own after reading about it somewhere in the paper. I started doing it then.” <br /><br />She says it isn’t hard and all she had to do was trim the plants.</p>.<p> “When I look at what has to be done, I do it. I look at the beauty of the plant and that inspires me.” <br /><br />All plants cannot be turned into bonsai. <br /><br />“They have to have a thick stem,” says Sita. Her collection includes trees such as banyan, peepul and jade. </p>.<p><br />“Some of the trees I have are nameless. I see a sapling on the road, think it’s good and bring it back to grow. In Delhi, I lived in the Asiad village and I would pick up saplings whenever I used to go for a walk.” <br /><br />She says she was curious to know their names but didn’t know how to find out. Now she is more interested in the plants than their names. <br /><br />While some may think it is cruel to cripple the growth of trees, Sita says, “It’s <br />supposed to be that way; they are happy as they are. They have everything a big plant has. I never cut them; I only snip when there is overgrowth.” <br /><br />She is slightly derisive of Lalbagh’s bonsai garden. “Their bonsai are much bigger and aren’t really bonsai. You need a thick stem and small branches.” There is no extra cost but special effort is needed for this art. <br /><br />“There is a special way of watering the plants and you must limit the amount of <br />sunlight and manure. It’s better if flat pots are used. The result shows through the <br />stem and branches,” she says. <br /><br />Sita is a restless wanderer who has more than one hobby. <br /><br />“We (she and her husband) moved to Bangalore 18-years-ago, but before <br />that we lived in Delhi. We have travelled to Europe, South Asia and all over <br />India.” <br /><br />She divides her time between her plants, embroidering, batik and bandhani printing, teaching at a special education school and her family. <br /><br />She says her hands would get burnt from the dye because she would be in such <br />a hurry. </p>.<p>“I have stopped doing batik and bandhani since coming to Bangalore but I do embroidery on saris for my daughters and daughters-in-law.”</p>.<p> With the spirit of a teenager, this multi-talented woman continues to bustle about the house as she finds newer ways to entertain herself. <br /><br />“I really like to do sudoku and such puzzles. Now I’m trying out games on my Samsung android but I worry I won’t receive messages!</p>
<p>The subtle and intricate Japanese art of bonsai has not caught on in Bangalore like ikebana.<br /><br /> It thrives only in the loving homes of dedicated bonsai enthusiasts. </p>.<p>Bonsai, the art of stunting the growth of trees and shrubs requires patience, care and undying interest.<br /><br />For Sita Rao, a septuagenarian, bonsai is a passion. <br /><br />Rows of miniature plants and trees line her front yard. For the past 25 years, she has been nurturing these plants in her garden. She boasts of a collection of over 18 tiny trees. <br /><br />She says she has loved greenery ever since she can remember.</p>.<p> “I’m very fond of plants, whether its floral or foliage. I’ve always been growing something or the other.”<br /><br />Her balcony has succulents, mostly cacti and aloe vera. <br /><br />“I tried growing vegetables but there are too many rats in the house and they eat everything up. But we do have a papaya tree,” she adds. <br /><br />How did she learn to grow bonsai?<br /><br /> “I learnt it on my own after reading about it somewhere in the paper. I started doing it then.” <br /><br />She says it isn’t hard and all she had to do was trim the plants.</p>.<p> “When I look at what has to be done, I do it. I look at the beauty of the plant and that inspires me.” <br /><br />All plants cannot be turned into bonsai. <br /><br />“They have to have a thick stem,” says Sita. Her collection includes trees such as banyan, peepul and jade. </p>.<p><br />“Some of the trees I have are nameless. I see a sapling on the road, think it’s good and bring it back to grow. In Delhi, I lived in the Asiad village and I would pick up saplings whenever I used to go for a walk.” <br /><br />She says she was curious to know their names but didn’t know how to find out. Now she is more interested in the plants than their names. <br /><br />While some may think it is cruel to cripple the growth of trees, Sita says, “It’s <br />supposed to be that way; they are happy as they are. They have everything a big plant has. I never cut them; I only snip when there is overgrowth.” <br /><br />She is slightly derisive of Lalbagh’s bonsai garden. “Their bonsai are much bigger and aren’t really bonsai. You need a thick stem and small branches.” There is no extra cost but special effort is needed for this art. <br /><br />“There is a special way of watering the plants and you must limit the amount of <br />sunlight and manure. It’s better if flat pots are used. The result shows through the <br />stem and branches,” she says. <br /><br />Sita is a restless wanderer who has more than one hobby. <br /><br />“We (she and her husband) moved to Bangalore 18-years-ago, but before <br />that we lived in Delhi. We have travelled to Europe, South Asia and all over <br />India.” <br /><br />She divides her time between her plants, embroidering, batik and bandhani printing, teaching at a special education school and her family. <br /><br />She says her hands would get burnt from the dye because she would be in such <br />a hurry. </p>.<p>“I have stopped doing batik and bandhani since coming to Bangalore but I do embroidery on saris for my daughters and daughters-in-law.”</p>.<p> With the spirit of a teenager, this multi-talented woman continues to bustle about the house as she finds newer ways to entertain herself. <br /><br />“I really like to do sudoku and such puzzles. Now I’m trying out games on my Samsung android but I worry I won’t receive messages!</p>
