Blossoms of Hope

Amalshan GUNERATHNE

As sun scorched down the concrete streets of Colombo, tired and exhausted from afternoon heat, I walked my way towards Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism. I had with me an invitation for an art exhibition, ‘Blossoms of Hope, Exhibition of ‘Ikebena arrangements’ it said- a genre of art which I haven’t seen or experienced before. I was skeptical about what to expect and was cursing the afternoon heat even as I entered the exhibition hall.

Exhausted I may have been, but as I entered, the sight that greeted me cast aside all such feelings of exhaustion and fatigue. I was welcomed with all sorts of refreshingly beautiful flower arts which rejuvenated the wearied soul with a sight to behold.

It was as if I was being transformed in to sanctuary, away from the burning heat of Colombo Sun. From concrete citadels of Colombo, I was being transplanted in to a refreshingly different atmosphere all together. Such is the therapeutic effect created by Ikebana Art that as you admire the artistry and the deftness that has been invested on Ikebana Floral art, you feel refreshed and revitalized that the weariness from your routine life goes away. Gorgeous floral arrangements designed with deft artistic touch were a sight for the sore heart.

As I learned, Ikebana is a Japanese Art which allows the artist to express his creativity through unique flower arranging mechanics. A possible translation for the phrase ‘Ikebana’ could mean, “Giving life to flowers” and “arranging flowers”.

It is more than just putting flowers in a vase. Ikebana is an art where artist’s creative prowess is pushed to limits to craft unique and refreshingly different floral arts with the use of all fractions of plant, even including its stems and leaves. Some define it as an art where “nature and humanity are brought together”. It has its own rules, norms and regulation on how one should go about forming such flower arrangements.

The exhibition was organized by the members of the Ikebena International Sri Lanka Chapter 262. The exhibits were all created by the members of the society. Joining for a chat, Shiromi Soosaipilllai, the president of the society noted, “Ikebena Art is like a meditation.

It demands your extreme concentration and pushes your creative skills to the maximum. It makes a therapeutic effect on your soul as well.” This is the group’s second exhibition and they invite people to join with them to experience the wonders of Ikebena Art and soul-cleansing therapeutic effects that it has to offer.