BY ABDULLA KHAN
VALPOI—‘Bonsai–A Living Art’ is still vibrantly practiced in Valpoi. This millennia-old art form of miniature plants that is also known as ‘Tray-Planting’ significantly represents Japanese culture and religious beliefs says Mr Devidas Kotkar, an environmentalist and Biology teacher who is also a Bonsai enthusiast and has a collection of over 120 bonsai trees. He had exhibited them at several bonsai exhibitions in various schools and higher secondary schools in Goa.

Sharing his valuable information with The Navhind Times, Mr Kotkar informed, “Bonsai is a living and ever changing form of art. This venerable art links the past with the present”.  He further added that bonsai is not a genetically dwarfed plant and that seeing the growth and development of a potted tree can restore one’s peace of mind.
Tradition holds it that three basic virtues are necessary to create a bonsai: ‘Shin – Zen – bi’ which stands for truth, goodness and beauty. 
Briefing us more about bonsai he says “traditionally, a bonsai tree encapsulates magical powers and natural energy. To begin with, the tree and the pot form a single harmonious unit where the shape, texture and colour of one, compliments the other”.
He further said that it is not enough just to plant a tree in a pot and allow nature to take its course. Every branch and twig of a bonsai is shaped and pruned until the desired shape is achieved. From then on, the shape is maintained and improved by a constant regime of pruning and trimming. It is an art of producing miniature trees by selective pruning, he informed. 
Mr Kotkar stated that the bonsai echo attributes of the human spirit, respect for nature, a love of beauty, recognition of the value of patience, a sensitivity to all that is exquisite in small things. Bonsai first appeared in China over 2,000 years ago. According to the Taoism it is known as ‘Punsai’. The Japanese adopted this art form during the Kamakura period (1185-1333) by means of Zen Buddhism.
Speaking on the aesthetic look of bonsai, Mr Kotkar said the bonsai tree is placed off-centre in its container. Asymmetry is not only vital for the visual effect, but is also the centre point.
Triangular forms of a bonsai tree symbolises God (at the apex), Man (on the middle, right and left hand side branches) and Earth (lower branches).
Bonsai is the art of dwarfing trees or plants and developing them into an aesthetically appealing shape by growing and pruning them in containers according to prescribed techniques.
Mr Kotkar says that being a biology teacher, “I developed an interest in plants, and since I did not have enough space to grow big trees I decided to grow bonsai trees. My plants will create more oxygen in nature. I do it for myself and I know that God is watching over it.”