Lucknowites learned the meditative art of nurturing a bonsai

Several bonsai and nature enthusiasts were spotted at a three-day workshop led by Fahad Malik, recently. In celebration of 24 years of dedication to the art, the Awadh Bonsai Association invited Fahad, a self-taught bonsai artist from Jaipur, to deliver a masterclass.

The event commenced with a captivating lecture by Fahad, who also demonstrated the creation of a windswept bonsai, guiding participants step-by-step from an untrained plant to a finished masterpiece that appeared as though it had been shaped by the wind itself.

After the lecture, the participants began shaping their trees, each working to create a delicate windswept style. Fahad guided them on wiring the branches, pruning for balance, and adjusting the angle of the trunk. “The art of Bonsai is about nurturing a plant into the form of a miniature tree, capturing the essence of nature in a smaller space. It’s a meditative practice — once you start working on a bonsai, everything else fades away, and your attention flows entirely to the tree. With so many people now living in flats, it’s harder to connect with nature. Bonsais, being compact, allow you to bring a piece of the natural world into your home,” shared Vidhi Bhargava, a member of the Awadh Bonsai Association.
— Manas Mishra