KARACHI: In celebration of their golden jubilee, the Floral Art Society of Pakistan’s Gardenia and Jasmine Chapters presented a spectacular floral exhibition aptly titled Creativity Unfolds at a local hotel here on Saturday.

It was interesting to reach the exhibition earlier than usual and quietly follow around the judges who were assessing the arrangements. Some arrangements were being given extra points for creative use of colour or textural diversity and others for the good use of foliage or if it was a new concept in creativity.

Farhana Azim from the Magnolia Chapter in Islamabad had flown in just to attend the celebration and also do an arrangement, too. She had an arrangement using green peas and chrysanthemums on a copper pipe structure, which was catching much attention from the judges. “We play around with beauty and introduce it to others,” she told Dawn. “Plants have a soul, my grandmother used to say. My grandfather also liked flowers and my grandmother made sure that every room and table in the house has some kind of arrangement or a plant. And it has been going on in our family since then,” she smiled.

Another big arrangement was done by Farida Kalim from the Jasmine Chapter. She had named it ‘Treasures of the sea’ and it was also being liked quite a bit by the judges.

Naushaba Khalil, one of the judges, said that the Floral Art Society of Pakistan celebrates its anniversary every year by holding a fundraiser event such as this. “This year the occasion is extra special since it is our golden jubilee year. Earlier, we have directed the proceeds from our events for thalassemia patients or for organisations that fight blindness or work for the deaf and mute or any other illness or condition. This year our proceeds will go to the Shaukat Khanum Cancer Research Hospital,” she informed.

Another judge had arrived from Singapore. Harijanto Setiawan said that he was glad to see such great flower arrangements and so many ladies here involved in the art. “It is encouraging to see people from Pakistan sharing their happiness through their creative flower arrangements. In Singapore, we call this friendship through flowers. Flowers are the best of companions and friends that one can have. They make everything beautiful and elate your mood,” he smiled.

As the title of the exhibition suggested, ‘creativity’ really was ‘unfolded’ in the way the arrangements were done. Someone had used a long leaf to create a turban, someone else had created an entire female form leaning back with long hair made from putting leaves, grass, shrubs, flowers and tree bark to good use, and there were so many more. But there was also one arrangement done in mostly white that reminded of all the members of the Floral Art Society that have passed on over the years. It was a sweet arrangement that melted the heart.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2022