Ikebana: An art that transports one to a higher plane

An exquisite flower arrangement

As the pages of history are unfolded, the origin of the earliest Ikebana is discovered within the boundaries of the Imperial Court of China. As a pure and elegant floral art, Ikebana witnessed its gradual maturity in Japan where its artistic and creative techniques were brought from China by foremost Japanese Ikebana master and Buddhist Monk Ono no Imoko during the 6th century A.D. Ono lived in a small, beautiful house called 'Ike-no-bo' meaning 'hut by the pond'.

Later, Ike-no-bo became the first ever Ikebana school in Japan.

Maleka Khan, a pioneer in the promotion of Ikebana in Bangladesh, narrated in brief the historical background to visitors at her first solo exhibition at Gallery Kaya in the city recently.

Spirituality and restoration of life within buds and petals, on

stems, twigs, leaves and foliages have been the main features of Ikebana. This art has created a kind of inspirational setting, which is a source of aesthetic joy in the minds and souls of viewers.

Considered to be a stimulus for the brain, Ikebana, to the true enthusiast, is much more than a sheer arrangement of flowers and stems. One just has to look at the lively green, arranged in pots, to be transported to a higher plane. At the same time, Ikebana has delivered rays of hope and awe-inspiring relaxation to the hard-working Japanese community.

'The philosophical facets of heaven, earth and human beings have symbolically been present within the tiny space of a flower vase along with a strong harmonic feeling of natural co-existence', believes Maleka. Her creativity seems to have an upright stance, thus displaying a heaven-bound

posture. This, represents the enlightened version of a soul with depiction of love, passion, freedom and a deep bond of global fraternity.

'Ikebana, could, in brief, be called a reflection of life, one with a devout essence,' added the floral artiste. 'In this artistic medium, all sorts of positive human emotions are strongly echoed.'

As the artiste further felt, appreciation and revelation of the hidden beauty of the floral world has turned Ikebana into a great form of living art. This in turn, has helped the human community to appreciate the eternal beauty of the Supreme Creation.

Maleka Khan's specialty in Ikebana for over last three decades included her creative thought and ability to fuse the Bangladeshi style with Chinese and Japanese methods. 'The use of local materials like mango leaves, berries and coconut shells which are available the year round, greatly enrich and diversify the beauty and style of my Ikebana, concludes Maleka.