Japanese enjoy India’s cultural pot-pourri

Young Japanese girls learning how to tie the sari, trying on various shades of bindis and dyeing their hands with Henna, these are just some of the scenes from the mega Indo-Japan cultural show being held in Tokyo.

Young Japanese girls learning how to tie the sari, trying on various shades of bindis and dyeing their hands with Henna, these are just some of the scenes from the mega Indo-Japan cultural show being held in Tokyo.

Also seen is the charm of the quintessential Indian curry meal and Yoga– touted as the major de-stresser of modern times at the two-day cultural extravaganza, Namaste India, which began today as part of efforts to strengthen ties between the people of the two countries.

As Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev espouses the cause of Pranayam at the Yogiki Park here, young Japanese boys, sporting Shahrukh Khan T-shirts listen in rapt attention.

That Khan is the most popular Indian icon here, can be judged by rampant sale of music and video CDs of his movies and the perfumes named after him.

Also popular are old Hindi films, specially their music. Pakeeza and Mughl-e-Azam being the favourites.

Bindi and Mehndi seem to have joined the latest bandwagons of the Indian exports.

“The girls are very excited about dyeing their hands in henna,” says Narayani Devi from Rajasthan. “I have already painted the hands of 25 girls since the morning.”

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According to Baba Ramdev, who has been travelling far and wide teaching the ancient Indian practice, “yoga is India’s greatest gift to the world as it can handle stress which is the biggest killer today”.

The Yoga Guru also released a book on his brand of breathing exercises in Japanese.

Representing the vivid spectrum of Indian states and cultures, the festival includes a myriad of performances, including those from India’s most popular entertainment export Bollywood.

Alongside these performances are a host of stalls showcasing a variety of colourful handicrafts from across India.

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“The main aim of Namaste India is to enhance awareness about India by showcasing its best in society and economy. With greater awareness will come greater interaction and exchange, between India and Japan, leading to a comprehensive India-Japan Global Partnership,” officials said.