Home » Working Women » Women Achievers » Radhika Vasudevan,Madurai'S Pioneer Florist She had the courage and confidence to introduce the "bouquet culture" way back in 1986 in Madurai, a city that still holds on strongly to a traditional mindset. In those days most people perceived gifting flowers and cultivating private gardens as a waste of money, but undaunted, she made her floral debut. Since then it has been "bloom time" for Radhika Vasudevan, Madurai's pioneer florist. Charming and articulate, Radhika's persona reflects the youthful exuberance and resilience of her flowers.

Radhika Vasudevan, a Home Science graduate, runs Buds and Blooms. A trained florist, she specialises in modern freestyle flower arrangements. She is to the manner born: her grandfather K.S. Gopalaswami Iyengar, was an advocate turned horticulturist who authored the authoritative book, 'Complete Gardening in India' that is currently into its fourth edition. Her father G. Parthasarathy is a well-known agrihorticulturist who runs KSG Farm and Nursery at Bangalore. Brother P. Mukunda is a professional horticulturist. The father-son duo have US patents for their specially bred indoor ornamental foliage plants. The family business undoubtedly provided a springboard for Radhika's floral creativity and aspirations.

Radhika's husband, S. Vasudevan, has been her source of sustained strength and support. "Encouraged by a supportive father and husband, I went on to do a one-and-a-half year course in Ikebana at the prestigious Lal Baugh Horticultural Society, Bangalore. Later marriage and parenthood took precedence". "I renewed my interest in flowers once the children were old enough", recalls Radhika. Testimony of her floral flair came early with her being a regular winner at the competitions organised by the Lal Baugh Horticultural Society.

Vasudevan's flowers, which arrive from her father's Bangalore farm, include long life flowers like anthuriums, bird of paradise, roses, gladioli, carnations and gerberas. She says that she constantly updates her knowledge and skills by reading books on flower arrangement.

A special feature of Vasudevan's arrangements is the importance she places on foliage and containers-reflecting her credo that flower arrangement "is an imaginative blend of flowers and foliage". Her foliage includes species like philodendron, asparagus, anthurium foliage, cycad and palm leaves, all grown in her nursery. The containers include brass, porcelain, glass and palm baskets. Radhika logs in about 15 hours of work in a week to cater to her regular orders. She does all the arrangements herself to impart that "touch of class" that has become her hallmark. It takes her about 10 minutes to create a simple arrangement, while the large arrangements take as much as an hour and a half.

What are the pleasures and pains of being a florist? Radhika says she derives satisfaction in "adding colour to people's lives"! Some of the occupational hazards include transport delays and accidental damages caused while handling perishables. Vasudevan cites her success mantra as a flair for floral arrangement, sincerity, commitment, dedication and accountability to clients. A mantra that has made a thousand flowers "bloom" for her and those whose life she touches.