Japanese artists to perform at Indo-Japan cultural fest

Pune, November 15: Punekars will get a chance to witness different performance by Japanese artists and presentation of Japanese arts during the two-day Indo-Japan cultural festival as part of ‘Konnichiwa Pune 2022’, organized by Indo-Japan Business Council, with support from Consulate General of Japan in Mumbai, at the Phoenix Marketcity in Viman Nagar on November 19-20.

“The festival is free and open to all and this is an opportunity for Pune people to be a part of the cultural extravaganza of India and Japanese Culture and experience Japan in the city. Japanese and Indian artists will be participating and showcasing their art during the festival,” informed Siddharth Deshmukh, President, Indo-Japanese Business Council

The cultural performances will start from 3 PM on both days. Elements like fusion dance and fusion music will also enthrall the audience. Performance by Japanese artist and Santoor player Takahiro Arai, who is the disciple of Santoor Maestro Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, is also the highlight of the two-day festival.

During the festival, Yoga expert from Japan Akiko Kato will address the audience. Akiko herself is a faculty of environment and information studies, Keio University, and a recipient of Miss World Japan Special Award. She has been certified by the Government of India as a level one Yoga teacher and has served as Yoga instructor for Japanese defence forces and has also taught government officers and ‘Sumos’.

There is also a performance by Noriko Shakti, a music producer, composer, and tabla player from Japan. She is taking Tabla lessons in India for a considerable period of time.

Then there will be a performance by Hiroko Sarah, who is a Mumbai-based Japanese singer-songwriter and dancer. Hiroko, a disciple of Jayanti Mala Mishraji, who performs Indian classical dance – Kathak, will be the cynosure of eyes at the event. Hiroko also is well-versed with other dance forms – Bollywood, Bellydance and Rajasthani dance.

Japanese artist Asano Fukui’s presentation of Japanese cultural songs is also the highlight of the first day.

Performances by other artists including team Mystic Jounetsu – Kushmir, Ibex and Hiroko Sarah, Calligrapher of “Shado” and Ura-Senko Sado master, Kazuko Barisic will also capture the attention of the viewers.

Fumie Negishi will showcase Indian classical performance. Negishi in 1997, while touring India, listened to Hindustani classical music and developed a serious interest in the art. Since 2015, Fumie has been awarded ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) scholarship from the Indian government to receive serious taaleem from Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr. Prabha Atre. Fumie has been translating the book ‘Enlightening the Listener’ authored by Dr. Atre on Contemporary Indian classical music performance from English to Japanese.

A host of other Japanese activities – Sado (Japanese tea ceremony), Shodo (Japanese calligraphy), Origami (Japanese art of paper folding), Furoshiki (traditional Japanese wearing clothes), Ikebana (Japanese art of flower arrangement) – will also be held over the two days.

Moreover, Japanese Anime Cosplay and Bon Odori – a traditional style of dancing performed during Obon, an annual Buddhist event to commemorate one’s ancestors, will also be on display. Punekars will also get to taste a variety of Japanese cuisines at the festival.

About Konnichiwa Pune: Konnichiwa Pune is a three days festival by the Indo Japan Business Council to be held in Pune from November 18-20. The festival aims to bring people, businesses, and educational institutes together and seeks to promote the exchange of trade, culture, and academic ties between India and Japan in a friendly manner.

About IJBC: Established in 2011 Indo-Japan Business Council is the apex bi-lateral chamber synergizing India-Japan engagement in business, trade, commerce, education and culture.