Surya Narmada is one of the well known Bonsai trainers in the city. She is a Post Graduate in Horticulture science, a gold medalist in Academics, now practicing as an International Agriculture Consultant. Her area of expertise includes all consultancies related to International agriculture, Tropical Horticulture, Horticulture Therapy, Agriculture Arbitration, Online horticulture consultancy and conducting Training and workshops in the field of Horticulture. More than ten of her interviews and publications have been published in various Newspapers and Journals. She is very informative and willing to address any question you may have on Bonsai.
What attracted you to this art?
Being a horticulturist I had a quest for greenery always. The Professor who handled the Landscape Gardening Class developed interest in Japanese art of gardening. One among them is Bonsai. When I did my Post Graduate programme I met one of our retired Horticulture Professor Dr.Nambisson, from whom I learned the art of Bonsai.
Tell us about your master?
Dr.Nambisson was my master. He was one of the living encyclopedias for Bonsai art. He lived with Bonsai rather than practicing it. He was a man who practiced this art by surrendering his heart and mind to it.
What important lessons did you learn from your master?
The art of Indianising Bonsai and also many practical hints which won’t be available in books. He nurtured us with thorough knowledge on various types of Ficus Bonsai.
What is your favorite bonsai material?
Depiction of our Adyar Banyan tree which was available in my master’s house.
What is your favorite shape or style?
Formal Style
What is your concept to keep the bonsai healthy?
A bonsai has to be nurtured properly with balanced amount of nutrients and water.
Should a new person invest a lot for training?
One has to invest a reasonable amount to buy some materials used in the scientific art of growing Bonsai.
Tell us about your teaching?
As for as Bonsai is concerned I encourage one to one teaching method as views on Bonsai varies from one person to another. My teaching mainly focuses on the local area adaptability and suitability. My specilisation is in teaching Indianised Bonsai Art. This mainly depends upon the agro climate of the particular area.
What piece of indispensable advice would you offer to beginners?
Have patience
What is your favorite Indian species?
Ficus retusa
Do new people need a lot of tools for bonsai?
They need some basic tools to do Bonsai in a graceful way.
How good is the response in India towards the art of bonsai? Is it considered an art?
Many like Bonsai. But when it comes to learning they lose patience. This has to be taken as a hobby initially and then slowly they can transform into commercial. But many people think vice versa. It is a living art. But a person has to show real interest in this to make this art flourish in future generation.
According to you what is good Bonsai and a master piece?
If the Bonsai creator does his work scientifically and aesthetically good then it may be his master piece.
Tell us about your training model? Why is it unique?
I use to conduct three hours class to teach the basics on Bonsai. I follow this model because a trainer can only teach the concepts and initiate the interest in a person. But the rest lies in the individual interest, imagination and creativity and giving room for one’s own thoughts. My way of teaching will hold good for the existing agro climate of a particular place and moreover I am giving importance to Indian way of Bonsai.
Bonsaifarms Blog 