Bonsai – big life in short stature
A three-day bonsai exhibition began in Rajshahi on Thursday
Laikor is 60 years old but only four inches in height.
Placed in a shallow container akin to a small-sized flower vase, it mimics the shape and scale of a full-grown tree in nature.
The dwarf-like tree, grown in a popular Japanese form of tree cultivation – bonsai, is the return of year-long hard labour by SM Nurul Alam Chanchal, a bonsai lover from Laxmipur of Rajshahi.
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On his rooftop, he has produced around 50 to 60 trees in the same art form, all being between 20 years to 60 years of age but not taller than four inches.
He has brought eight trees, including Krishnachura, Dumur, Faikas, Laikor and Banyan, to a three-day bonsai exhibition that began on the Rajshahi College campus on Thursday.
The Rajshahi Bonsai Society this year has been organising the 20th edition of the fair which came forth first in 1997.
"Laikor is the eldest among the eight plants [I have brought to the fair]. I have been nurturing it for 20 years. I collected the tree from a person who had reared it for 40 years," said Nurul.
Just beside the Laikor tree was placed another bonsai tree, Phoenix Palm and Pakur, grown in combination in the same container.
Nabiul Elahi Dipu, who has come from Rahanpur of Chapainawabganj, put the tree on display at the fair.
"I have different varieties of bonsai tree at my house, all being between 16 years and 36 years old. I have grown them with hard work," Dipu said.
Shimul Pal, another bonsai artist from Rajshahi's Court area, brought five trees, including Chinese Banyan, Tamarind and Kamini, in the fair.
"I have been involved with the bonsai culture for 20 years. I have grown eight trees of several categories," he said.
In the exhibition, some 45 bonsai-lovers have been showcasing total 260 bonsai trees, including local Banyan, Pakur, Laikor, Sheora, Tomal, Jilapi, Tamarind, Kamini, Bougainvillea and different varieties of Faicas and Rongon.
Sarwar Morshed, the secretary of the Rajshahi Bonsai Society, said, "Bonsai takes us closer to nature, and it is an innovative way to make life more beautiful. It reflects the affection of nature-lovers."
Syed Mahfuz-e Towhid, the president of the organisation, said the bonsai culture in Bangladesh started from Rajshahi, and the division at present supplies 75 percent of total bonsai trees in the country.
