Japanese Cultural Festival, ’KIZUNA’

The Centre for Japanese, Korean and North East Asian Studies, School of Language Literature & Culture Studies, organized a two-day Japanese cultural festival, ’KIZUNA’, to commemorate the Japan-India Friendship year, 2007. The festival, which was held on March 19 and 20, showcased Japanese art and culture through performances such as drama, songs, dances, comic skits, a fancy dress show and Japanese drums performance. IKEBANA and ORIGAMI workshops, Japanese exhibition of various Japanese artifacts, Japanese food stalls, movie shows were the highlights of the festival.

Four Japanese plays were staged by Japanese Language Institutions including JNU. A folk dance called BON ODORI was also presented along with the percussion drums called TAIKO. These lively performances received enthusiastic response from both Japanese and Indian audience. The JNU students performed a well known Japanese comedy show called NININ BAORI which had the audience in splits.

The IKEBANA demonstration by a renowned Indian Ikebana artist, Mrs. Veena Daas was well appreciated with active participation by students. The workshop on ORIGAMI, Japanese paper folding art, was another popular feature of the festival. It was decided that the folded items will be donated to the homeless and orphaned children under the care of Prayas Juvenile Aid centre.

The food stalls set up by the students of the Centre also attracted huge crowds. YAKITORI, TEMPURA and GREEN TEA sold like hot cakes. A ’Chopstick Contest’ was also held for the spectators. Both Indians and Japanese, teachers and students participated in it.

This event, which was supported by the Embassy of Japan and the Japanese Association, New Delhi, was the first of its kind. The event was entirely managed by the students of the Japanese centre along with Japanese nationals studying in other schools of the University under the supervision and guidance of the Chairperson, Prof. Sushama Jain, and Dr. Manjushree Chauhan, the event coordinator.

The inaugural session was attended by Mr. R. Horie, Minister Embassy of Japan as the Chief Guest, Mr. T. Tokieda, Director of Cultural Affairs, Japanese Association as Guest of Honour, Prof. Varyam Singh, Dean, School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies, JNU, among others. On the second day the Chief Guest was Mr. Matsumura, Director, Japan Information Centre, Embassy of Japan, New Delhi and the Guest of Honour was Mr. T. Hoshina, deputy Director, Japan Foundation.

This event created a platform for the students of various Japanese language institutes in Delhi to interact and display their vibrant side; and an opportunity for many to have a glimpse into the rich Japanese Culture.

Centre for Japanese, Korean and North East Asian Studies, SLLCS