Rekha Reddy

*Ikebana Master (preferable), *Chairperson FICCI FLO Hyderabad 2012-2013, *Past Chairperson FICCI. FLo Hyderabad
* Presented ‘Commendation Award’ from Japanese Consul General Chennai in November 2015 in recognition of distinguished service in contributing to the deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and India.
*Invited to and given several demonstrations in India [Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Pondicherry, Sikkim, Ooty, Leh, Aurangabad, Vijayawada, Guwahati] and abroad [Taiwan, Singapore, Belgium, USA, UAE, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Korea, Malaysia]. Many of the demonstrations abroad have had the theme of a blend of ‘Indian and Japanese culture through Ikebana’.
* Has been doing Ikebana for the 30 years. Teaching, holding workshops and demonstrations for 20 years. Many of her students are teachers now. Studied Ikebana under teacher Grandmaster Horyu Meena Anantnarayan & mother Shamala Y.R Reddy.
*Has held workshops and had exhibitions exclusively for children to inculcate the art of Ikebana, awareness of nature and the importance of environment. Exhibitions on Children’s Day- November 14th for some years have had themes of Festivals of India, Recycling, Books and literature etc.
*Held solo exhibitions with themes like ‘Tokonoma’, ‘Ikebana and Literature’, ‘Life of Buddha’[inaugurated by HH Dalai Lama], ‘From Gloom to Bloom’ ‘Life of Lord Krishna’ [inaugurated by Sri Sri Ravishankarrji] etc.
*Authored an art book, ‘Petals & Palette’-a book of Ikebana with Mr. MF Husain’s paintings. *Conceived and coordinated book ‘Flowers & Flavours’- for Ikebana International Hyderabad Chapter. This has had support from the Tourism Department of AP for its novel idea and helped Hyderabad be put on the world map. The book is on flower arrangements and Indian recipes. Positive responses poured in from several countries from across the globe. Book reprinted within six months of its publication and sold out both times. Coordinated another Ikebana chapter book ‘Pushpa Thoranam’, a notebook interspersed with members’ flower arrangements.

*Initiated a programme for the Ikebana chapter where members go to schools for the under privileged [Nachiketa Tapovan school for slum children, Ashray Akruti for hearing impaired] and hold workshops and demos for them.