KARACHI: Ikebana International’s Karachi Chapter organised a most interesting and imaginative demonstration by Neveen Syed, director of the Lahore Sogetsu Study Group, at the Consulate of Japan here on Wednesday. It was a fusion of Sogetsu and Mughal architecture.

Neveen, who has attained the rank of Jonin Sanyo in Sogetsu ikebana, was visiting from Lahore. Lucky to be living around so many reminders of Mughal architecture, she gained inspiration from floral frescoes in places such as the Wazir Khan Mosque, Alamgiri Gate of the Lahore Fort, the Badshahi Mosque, Jahangir’s tomb, the Shahi Hammam, Sheesh Mahal and Chahar Bagh, for her arrangements.

For the arrangement inspired by the Wazir Khan Mosque, she had found an antique urn to serve as the base. She used long leaves that she twisted and tucked into each other before adding the bicolour reddish orange chrysanthemums that she had brought with her from Lahore. When she couldn’t find real carnations according to her need, she made do with paper carnations.

“In Sogetsu, we work from back to front while paying attention to lines, mass and space,” she explained as she went about her work. Adding ferns and a bright celosia to complete the piece, she laughed and shared that the people of Lahore don’t really like the flower and have stopped growing it as they don’t think it to be a flower.

This followed a water arrangement, inspired by the Alamgiri Gate of the Lahore Fort. Keeping in mind the huge pillars of the gate she made two columns to give her arrangement strength with alocasia leaves and lotus leaves. To that she added curry leaves, bamboo et al to complete the look she wanted to give.

Rhododendrons, cycas palm, wiry and crooked shoots and some more chrysanthemums were used to put together another arrangement inspired by the kashikari or mosaic art at the Badshahi Mosque. The domes, nooks and alcoves of the Badshahi Mosque resulted in another spectacular arrangement using a frame prepared with Lasani wood that was cut out in the shape of an alcove that was then decorated with yellow awl flowers, carnations, almond leaves and bay leaf.

“In Sogetsu you get to show your feelings,” said Neveen. “If you are in a positive mood, your arrangements can portray that. And if you are not in a good mood, that will also show,” she pointed out.

Her next arrangement was inspired by Jahangir’s tomb. It was a simple arrangement created with a branch of small dried pomegranates, birds of paradise and some long leaves that she twisted and tucked in to give shape to the arrangement.

The Shahi Hammam or royal baths, which have lots of beautiful domes, flowers, paintings and frescoes also inspired an arrangement using palm leaves shaped like angel wings and sunflowers.

The beautiful Sheesh Mahal, or palace of mirrors, inspired two arrangements. The first of the two was done on a metal structure decorated with lace and motives hiding in its design some 24 test tubes to hold water and flowers. The second one had origami tulips, as real ones are not available here, and a plant root painted white, flowers made from corn husk and lily leaves to add freshness to the piece.

The last arrangement was inspired from Chahar Bagh, a beautiful garden. “It is symmetrical but we will make it the Sogetsu way,” smiled Neveen as she reached out for juniper tree leaves, celosia, chrysanthemums, grass, willow with pearls on them, and sliced bamboos used as water receptacles.

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2023