Japan Habba 2013 charms Bangaloreans with display of Japanese culture

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Crowds thronging the Kimono trials at Japan Habba 2013
Crowds thronging the Kimono trials at Japan Habba 2013

Bangalore, February 25 : Japan Habba 2013, the popular Indo-Japanese cultural exchange programme, received an enthusiastic and appreciative response from the throngs of visitors at Jnana Jyothi Auditorium, Central College Campus, Bangalore University, Palace Road, on February 24.

Presented in association with the Consulate of Japan in Bangalore, The Japan Foundation New Delhi, the Bangalore Japanese Association, Bangalore University, Bangalore Nihongo Kyooshi-kai (Japanese Language Teachers Association, Bangalore) and the Koyo Japanese Speaking Group, the event was also supported by the Indo-Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Karnataka).

Starting off in the morning with a quiz on Japan, the tempo soon changed with the variety of cultural programmes being staged. A short Manipuri dance recital was followed by Rakugo – a comical Japanese monologue. The Karaoke masters featured Japanese songs sung by non-Japanese and Indian songs by Japanese people. Whether it was Indian students of Japanese reciting beautiful Japanese Haiku or the nimble ladies of the Japanese Ladies Association dancing to a medley of popular Bollywood numbers; the cultural exchange was evident everywhere.

The highlight of the day’s events was the Kyogen performance of the short play Bonsan by the renowned Izumi School of Japan. Kyogen is part of a 600 year tradition of humour and comedy that is the art of laughter, the art of the absurd. There is a charm and wit particular to Kyogen that makes even the most hesitant spectator laugh out loud.

Before the performance, the Kyogen artistes Ms. Miyake Tokuro and Mr. Izumi Motoya explained the concept of Kyogen to the audience. They brought alive their characters in Bonsan, of the thief and the master of the house, with perfect comic timing leaving the audience rocking with laughter.

As part of Japan Habba, on February 23rd two Japanese movies, Kappa no Sanpei (A River Goblin and Sanpei) and Yajikita Dochu Teresuko (Three for the Road) were screened. This was followed by two plays – the popular story of Tenali Raman told in Japanese Kyogen style and the Japanese story Of Myohe adapted to traditional Yakshagana style. The Kyogengeki was performed by Indian students learning Japanese and Yakshagana was performed by Kala Gangothri troupe from Mangalore.
Other event highlights included the ever popular Japanese tea ceremony and Yukata trials (the Japanese summer kimono). Demonstrations of Origami; Calligraphy; Mehendi; Ikebana displays; Stalls, Food courts and much more rounded of the day for visitors.

Mr. Senthil Murugan, Chairman, Japan Habba 2013 Organizing Committee said “Japan Habba is an opportunity for the students and faculty of Bangalore University’s Department of Foreign Languages, Japanese language course, to display their knowledge and understanding of not just the language, but the cultural nuances of the Japanese way of life to the public. It helps them to develop their confidence in their language skills. Similarly it offers the Japanese a platform to showcase their understanding of Indian culture and their knowledge of the Kannada language. This is very evident in the schedule of programmes lined up for the day.”

The event drew an enthusiastic response from Bangaloreans who could witness Japanese culture right here in the heart of Bangalore.

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