His first hand experience and experiments included germinating a new seed and pulling it out at regular intervals to check the length of the root! The next few hapless victims were a cactus plant whose life was short lived, thanks to Daniel’s excessive watering and a Christmas tree that was bathed by a young Daniel and put to sleep in a dark corner, covered with a blanket for comfort! No wonder that none of them survived. What did survive and thrive was Daniel’s curiosity and love for plants. He went on to do an M.Sc in Science (Botany horticulture and landscaping) from Mumbai University. His initiation into the art of Bonsai came from his dad who introduced him to it when he was 13. It took such a strong hold on him that later, in Mumbai, he bunked college on Saturdays to attend Bonsai classes conducted by experts, Jyoti and Nikunj Parekh.
He soon realised that Bonsai was usually pursued by the rich elite and was determined to change this reality and make it accessible to all. “You can do a Bonsai for as less as Rs. 150. All you need is love, patience and dedication.” says Daniel. He further adds, “This is the only living art form that continues to live to the next generation and is an on going process. It’s a science combined with art.”
On returning to Goa in 1997, Daniel held his first Bonsai exhibition in 2000 on his own, without any sponsorship. He went on to win the rolling trophy from the Botanical Society of Goa for many years. His passion for plants and the joy it brings him and his clients is visible when he shares his landscaping experience. Working with his sharpened senses of sight, smell and touch, Daniel loves to create an ecosystem for butterflies and birds in the gardens he designs.
Using his skills to benefit community, Daniel has helped landscape Mother Theresa’s home in Panjim and Anjuna Police Station, in the past. Daniel reminisces, “It was such fun working along with the constables in beautifying their space.” Wanting to contribute in shaping Goa’s green spaces, Daniel has also worked as a consultant with Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP). In his tenure, he maintained almost all the gardens and open spaces from the city entrance to Raj Bhavan. He gave it up when the bureaucratic vagaries of contract renewals led to the decline of his plants.
Besides his flourishing landscaping business, Daniel now also holds classes in Caranzalem to impart his knowledge and train people in Bonsai. Daniel elaborates, “I have 8 to 70 year old students. You only stop learning when you’re dead. Age isn’t a deterrent at all.”
With the size of the bonsai tree being finite, it suits both houses and flats. Surprisingly, in bonsai, the fruit size doesn’t decrease and the life span of the tree remains the same. Explaining the criteria in choosing the right kind of tree, Daniel emphasises, “One must choose a tree with a long life span like chickoo, banyan, peepul or even bougainvillea. It should have small leaves, good rootage, many branches and withstand wiring and pruning.” Inculcating a love for nature in children, Daniel also regularly conducts talks and demonstrations at schools and colleges.
Given his oriental looks, one wonders if he has any oriental genealogy and was preordained to choose bonsai. Daniel laughingly states, “I am a hardcore Goan. I believe the origin of this art form may have begun in India, with nomads who carried medicinal plants by trimming the branches and cutting back the roots, to keep it as a miniature. The practice travelled to China and in World War 2, Chinese and Japanese soldiers exchanged ideas on this art form. The Japanese later refined it by using the wiring technique.”
His big dream is to set up a dedicated space for a Zen bonsai garden in Goa. “That would be an amazing facet to Goa!” he avers. Sharing the after effects of being struck by the art of bonsai, Daniel jokingly quips, “Some people have stopped going on holidays! They can’t bear to leave their bonsai alone. Or they drop it with me.”
When asked if he has ever visited Japan, Daniel is quick to retort, “I may not return; that’s my fear.”
