Life style
An Exhibition of Bonsai by the Sri Lanka Bonsai Association
By M.A. Pemasiri
Bonsai is the art of creating a miniature replica of a mature tree (or group of trees) found in the nature, by changing the appearance of a normal plant material to that of a mature tree.
We are surrounded by various forms of beautiful trees, and most of us simply enjoy their beauty, without thinking much about the features which make them beautiful. For a Bonsai enthusiast, these beautiful trees form the basis for inspiration. If you are to succeed in Bonsai, you should keep gazing at the trees, studying them, analyzing their structure, so that you will be able to reproduce realistic images of the trees in miniature.
A careful analyzing of a tree leads one to understand its life story and the conditions under which it grew over the years. As an example, mountain trees grow in thin poor soil, and are exposed to strong winds. Their life is a constant battle for survival under harsh realities of the nature. However, such battle will give them, their unique character, with very special attractive features.
A bonsai artist will also have to learn the process of a young plant turning to an old tree, shedding many branches, leaving the essential stronger ones, strong surface roots becoming a part of the picture, giving stability and a mature look.
When the artistic forms of Bonsai trees are displayed at the Exhibitions, many enthusiastic viewers get a desire to try out creating a Bonsai. A beginner, could be little nervous of some of the techniques used, but in no time, one can gain confidence as one sees how the trees respond, to the training. With growing confidence, new ideas can be experimented, some will succeed, and some may fail. But, with each failure, you will learn, how to go ahead with the task of creating a “sculpture” out of a “living specimen”.
Bonsai can be a horticultural challenge to a plant lover, but for someone with an artistic touch, Bonsai can be an excellent medium to keep on exploring where there will be no limit to creative achievements.
What matters in a Bonsai, is the true quality of the specimen. How beautiful it is, how natural it looks? It is the beauty of form, colour and texture, which matters. It is a fact that the beauty of the tree will improve with the length of time it had been trained as a Bonsai. But unless the basic form is of quality, aging itself will not make it a good Bonsai. As it is an artwork which is never finished, you can keep on working with it over the years, where you can get immense satisfaction.
Size of a Bonsai is not an important factor. Many believe that the larger the Bonsai, better it is, which is not true. It is also assumed that bigger Bonsai are more difficult to create, which also not true. It can be argued that, a mini or “Mame” Bonsai will require more patience and skills to create and maintain, because same aesthetic standards have to be achieved with fewer and smaller elements.
Having one or two quality Bonsai plants in your balcony can be as rewarding as having a large collection of Bonsai trees in a well spread garden. Creating a Bonsai and maintaining it, watching it going through the changes with time is an experience which you cannot just explain. It is worth trying.
Bonsai Artists all over the world exhibit their artistic creations in special exhibitions, organized by their respective Clubs or Associations in order to assess their plants and for public viewing.
The annual exhibition of The Sri Lanka Bonsai Association, “Reflections 2024 – Living Images” will be held at J D A Perera Gallery, University of Visual & Performing Arts, No.46, Horton Place, Colombo 07, on November 9-10 from 10 AM to 6 PM. A large collection of high-quality Bonsai Plants will be on display this year too.
By Zanita Careem
Renowned for its exceptional artistry and dedication to timeless design, Tiesh reaffirms its status as a leader in jewellery innovation with the relaunch of its iconic ‘For Him’ men’s jewellery collection. First introduced in 2016, the collection has been reimagined to cater to the modern man, celebrating the understated elegance of silver, gold, and natural gemstones.
Men’s jewellery has made a notable comeback in recent years, evolving from traditional timepieces to versatile accessories that add character and sophistication. Tiesh’s refreshed collection seeks to redefine men’s jewellery as an essential part of self-expression and style.
“We are witnessing a significant shift in men’s fashion, with jewellery taking centre stage as a form of self-expression and a mark of individuality,” said Director of Tiesh, Ayesh De Fonseka. “The resurgence of men’s jewellery has been fueled by increasing demand from men seeking distinctive pieces and women looking for meaningful gifts. Our new collection aims to fill this gap by offering designs that blend classic sophistication with modern aesthetics.”
Tiesh’s ‘For Him’ collection introduces an array of meticulously crafted accessories, including sterling silver bracelets, gemstone-encrusted gold cufflinks, lapel pins, tie pins, and statement rings. Each piece reflects Tiesh’s hallmark sophistication, fused with contemporary elements to suit the discerning tastes of today’s men.
In addition to its signature pieces, the collection features bespoke designs, allowing customers to work closely with Tiesh’s expert designers to create personalised jewellery. This customisable approach extends to innovative offerings like customised leather belts with sterling silver buckles and monogrammed cufflinks, perfect for those seeking unique and valuable gift options.
Tyasha with Trieshan and other guests
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- Priyanthi
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- Pritiva
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- Guest
Pix by Thushara Attapathu
Turkish Airlines has a 30-country lead over its closest competitor in this hard-to-break record
Turkish Airlines, which has held the title of flying to the most countries in the world since 2012, has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records™ as the record holder. The national flag carrier has successfully achieved the Guinness World Records™ title for the “Most Countries Flown to by an Airline”.
The record certificate was presented at Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport following Turkish Airlines’ inaugural flight to Chile. The ceremony was attended by Turkish Airlines executives and Guinness World Records™ officials.
Based on Guinness World Records™ evaluation criteria, Turkish Airlines set the record with flights to 120 countries, reflecting only the active routes of the past 12 months. Nevertheless, including temporarily suspended routes and today’s inaugural flight to Chile, Turkish Airlines’ flight network now spans 131 countries.
Commenting on the record, Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Ek?i stated, “We are delighted to be in Santiago, Chile, our newest route launched today, and to receive the Guinness World Records™ title for the Most Countries Flown to by an Airline. As the only airline to hold this distinction for over a decade, we proudly showcase the strength of our flight network and reinforce our mission to connect people, cultures, and destinations around the globe.”
The legendary Hermitage has moved to a brand-new location at D.M. Colombage Mawatha, Nawala. Barely 200 meters from the main Nawala road, the new Hermitage is extensively stocked with a brand-new collection of hand-picked antique and artisanal furniture, art, collectibles and crafts adding to a treasure trove of ethnic and tribal silver jewellery and jewellery inlaid with coloured semi-precious stones.
The renowned, signature, hand-picked antique and artisanal furniture – with a focus on accents, compliments a stunning collection of silver jewellery and an eclectic, whimsical and sometimes outrageous range of curated collectibles, maps, miniature Indian art, out of print books, vinyls, stamps, old currency, postcards and prints, gift stationery and much more.
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