Breath of The Bonsai

 

Bonsai lovers in Dhaka were treated with a viewing of an expansive bonsai-tree collection -- Solo Bonsai Exhibition -- by Laila Ahmed. The exhibition was held at Gallery-2 of Charukola Institute in Dhaka University. The six day exhibition brought together future and present bonsai-enthusiast around the city. Bonsai is an art form where miniature potted trees are cultivated to mimic the shapes of their larger counterparts. It originated in China and follows the Buddhist principles of rule of thirds. The tree is cultivated to form an asymmetrical triangle with three points symbolising the earth, the man and the heavens. In recent years, the art form gained popularity in the country, with green spaces shrinking and houses opting for paved garages where gardens used to be. Bonsai-enthusiasts also speak of a bond that develops between the tree and its carer, comparing the entire process to a form of meditation. This idea began when the Chinese practice of this form of horticulture merged with the Japanese Zen philosophy.