Floral ‘peace and culture’ at Lalbagh show this year

Floral ‘peace and culture’ at Lalbagh show this year
Deccan Herald

The Horticulture Department, following its yearly tradition, this year is presenting the flower show with the ‘Peace and Culture’ theme, at the Lal Bagh Botanical gardens.

Flowers, big and small, colourful nonetheless, are all under one roof to woo flower lovers in large numbers. The Horticulture Department, following its yearly tradition, this year is presenting the flower show with the ‘Peace and Culture’ theme, at the Lal Bagh Botanical gardens.

Over 500 varieties of flowers are housed in the Glass House, with most flowers being brought from plantations in Ooty. Temperate flowers like alstromeria, arum lily, Asiatic lily, agapanthus, bird of paradise and many more decorate the Glass House along with the usual flowering plants. Another interesting creation is the colourful peacock, which has been made using the Thai art technique. Here, banana leaves are folded and interwoven in a uniform fashion.

The treat to the eyes is however, the arrangements using varied techniques like the Janur and Thai art. Professionals hired from various schools of flower arts have created giraffes, elephants and dinosaurs, that lure the young and old alike.

As one enters the Glass House, a Peace Globe made out of hundreds of roses, can be sighted. This arrangement, staying true to the theme, has all the continents on it, with a dove planted on top sending the message of peace.

The other end has a raised platform, where Ms Rama Ramamurthy from the Mandara School of Flower Arts has created works of art depicting the heritage of the south Indian states. You can see Tamil Nadu’s way of celebrating pongal, Kerala’s onam, the Hampi chariot and the Charminar all at one go. Another highlight at this end of the Glass House is the 12-foot-high flower pyramid.

The show was inaugurated by Deputy Mayor Lakshminarayana, on Tuesday. One can also visit the various stalls that have been lined for those interested in the nuances of flora and fauna.

About 32 technical stalls and 102 commercial and nursery stall owners have been given permission to promote their products during the show.

Close to six lakh visitors are expected at the show this year, and department sources say that parking arrangements have been made inside the garden, for the convenience of the visitors.

However, the biggest crowd expected is during the weekend. One can visit the gardens all through the week between 10 am and 6 pm. Entry fee has been fixed at Rs 20. The show will end with a bang on August 15, marking the Independence Day celebrations.

Free for school kids

On August 14 school children will be allowed to visit the gardens and the exhibition free of cost between 8 am and 12 pm. The same day at 3 pm, prizes will be given for the winners in Ikebana, bonsai, vegetable carving, Dutch arrangement of fruits and flowers competitions.