Chennai: Japanese art forms like origami, judo, bonsai have always been popular in India and both nations share an appreciation for each others’ culture. To strengthen bonds further between the two countries, the Japanese Consulate conducted a two-day Japan Cultural and Sports Festival in association with the ABK-AOTS DOSOKAI- Chennai chapter at its centre here on Nelson Manickam Road on Saturday.
The annual festival offered a peek into the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ through the display of Japanese arts and martial arts demonstration. Speaking to News Today, Japanese Consul researcher/ adviser for culture and information section, Megumi Shimada said the cultural festival offers an opportunity for Chennaiites to observe Japanese culture.
Showing the mutual respect that the Japanese have for the Tamil culture, she even surprised everyone by speaking in the south Indian language, saying, “Chennaila paakradhukku kashtamaana Japanese porulgal inga paakalaam (Arts unique to Japanese culture that are not commonly seen in Chennai, can be seen here).”
The first-day of the festival on Saturday began with a mini-marathon from Anna University at 6.30 am to mark the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics. Following this was the inauguration of the cultural exhibition by Megumi at the ABK-AOTS DOSOKAI- Chennai centre. The festival highlights were the Yukata Trial – where guests could try out the traditional Japanese dress.
The centre also had a cultural exhibition of Japanese dolls, origami, Nendo No Tezukuri (handmade clay art), Ikebana (art of flower arrangement), bonsai display and so on, all of which were done by the Chennai practitioners of these Japanese arts.
Tamilnadu Judo Association vice-president and 80-year-old Judo master, Sensei C S Rajagopal demonstrated judo self defence techniques to the gathered crowd.
Goa-based freelance origami artist, Shivram whose work was displayed at the festival said that he has been interacting with the consulate in Chennai since he was nine years old and showcasing his origami art for close to a decade in the annual Japan Cultural and Sports Festival held here.
A visitor at the exhibition, Muralidharan said, “These are nice pieces. I have always been attracted by the Japanese culture and this exhibition offers an opportunity to interact and learn more about it.”