India Cultural CentreEmbassy of India

Tokyo

Monthly Record of Events – February 2013

Swami Medhasananda, President of the Vedanta Society of Japan conducted the monthly discourse on “Sri Bhagavad Geeta” in Japanese language at the ICC Multi-Function Room on Feb 2. The Vedanta Society of Japan is a branch of “Ramakrishna Mission” in India.

As part of the celebration to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of India-Japan diplomatic relations a cultural programme to familiarize India titled “Study of India” was organized in the year 2012 in collaboration with the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Japan in more than 20 schools and universities. During this programme, cultural performances by ICC Teachers, lecture demonstrations and power point presentations on India by embassy representatives were organized. Conclusion ceremony of “study of India” programme was organized at the ICC Auditorium on Feb 2 at the ICC Auditorium. Representatives of Universities and Schools were honoured with certificates. Presentations, cultural performances, speeches were given by the students and guests on India.

A workshop-cum-program titled “Fusion of Indian Classical Dance and Music” organized at the ICC Auditorium on Feb 11. More than 150 students from all age groups learnt Indian classical dance like Bharatanatyam, Indian Contemporary dances, Odissi and Sambhalpuri, in various institutions throughout Tokyo were invited by Ms. Kyoko Nobi-Indian classical music and dance Teacher at ICC, to give performances. Students from ICC music and dance class also took part.

Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of Communications and Information Technology visited ICC facilities on Feb 13 during his official visit to Japan.

A Tabla workshop titled “Workshop on Indian Percussion Instrument – “Tabla” conducted at the ICC music room on Feb 13. A Lecture-Cum-Demonstration presented by Pt. Lalit Kumar Dixit-ICC Tabla Teacher. More than 20 students attended the workshop.

Embassy conducted an English proficiency test and interview for General Cultural Scholarship Scheme (GCSS) 2013-14 under ICCR scholarship scheme on Feb 15. Total 10 students participated in this examination.

19 Students along with one Teacher from Dai-Ni Higashi Junior High School Saitama Prefecture visited ICC under the regular school visit programme on Feb 19. A documentary film on India, produced by XP Division MEA was screened. Power point presentation was made for the participants followed by a question-answer session on India. SS (PIC)/ Director, ICC interacted with the students.

A Yoga workshop titled “Yoga and Back-Ache” conducted at the ICC Auditorium on Feb 20. A Lecture-Cum-Demonstration was presented by Dr. Jeevan Lata Shukla-ICC Yoga Teacher. More than 80 people attended the workshop and responded with a very positive feedback.

A lecture demonstration on World Peace titled “Embracing the World” by Swami Purnamritananda from Amrita Heart was organized at the ICC Auditorium on Feb 22. Amrita Heart is a non profit organization which supports and organizes humanitarian activities and social service activities throughout the world.

India IT-Club organized a panel discussion/seminar at the ICC Multi-Function Room on Feb 27. India IT Club seminars are supported by Embassy. More than 65 members attended the event this time. The first India IT Club meeting was held in November 15, 2000.

ICC Classes

Yoga

Teacher’s Name: Dr. Jeevan Lata Shukla No. of students in current session: 232No. of classes every week: 22No. of classes each student can attend: 2Content covered in this month: Different types of breathing, Pranayama (Simple Practice), OM Dhayana – Meditation and Cleansing process (Neti Kriya)

Tabla

Teacher’s Name: Pt. Lalit Kumar DixitNo. of students in current session: 32No. of classes every week: 14No. of classes each student can attend: 2Content covered in this month: Beside basic sound and bol Peshkara, Kaidas, Relas, Tukdas, Parans, Chakradaars and Tihaais continued.

Bharatnatyam Dance

Teacher’s Name: Ms. Kyoko NobiNo. of students in current session: 11No. of classes every week: 4No. of classes each student can attend: 2Content covered in this month: In theory students completed Asamutha-Hastas. Still working on Pushpanjali and also started Ganesha-Kautvam and Natesha-Kautvam.

Indian Contemporary Dance

Teacher’s Name: Ms. Kyoko Nobi No. of students in current session: 24No. of classes every week: 1Content covered in this month: Finished learning the song “Rum/Whisky” from “Vicky Donor” movie and started learning “Po-Po” song dance steps from Hindi movie “Son of Sardar”

Odissi

Teacher’s Name: Ms. Kazuko YasunobuNo. of students in current session: 14No. of classes every week: 3No. of classes each student can attend: 2Content covered in this month: Besides basic exercise, Basic Chari (how to walk) no. 6 to 8, Stepping practice Chouk no. 1 to 10, theory of Pada-Veda (foot positions) “Vasant-Pallavi” entrance part taught.

Sambhalpuri

Teacher’s Name: Ms. Kazuko YasunobuNo. of students in current session: 14No. of classes every week: 3No. of classes each student can attend: 2Content covered in this month: Basic hand & foot exercise, Basic rhythm exercise 1 to 5, basic stepping, and Ganesh Vandana entrance part.

Hindi Language

Teacher’s Name: Prof. Teji Sakata No. of students in current session: 12No. of classes every week: 1Content covered in this month: Practice of simple sentence pronunciation and writing such as “Yah kyaa hai” Introduction of usage of plural forms of pronouns such as “ Ye” “Ve” Introduction of usage of adjectives and practice of them such as “lamba” “Lmbii” Guidance to the way of consulting Hindi dictionary. Introduction of usage of imperative forms and their practices such as “Yahaam aao” “Yahaam aaie” based on Lesson no. 3 from the text book “Saral Hindi Bhasha” (Hindi text book, written by Prof. Teiji Sakata)

Bengali Language

Teacher’s Name: Prof. Tsuyoshi Nara No. of students in current session: 8No. of classes every week: 1Content covered in this month: Student learned Bengali sounds and scripts, pronunciations and writing and greetings, Bengali numerals and their pronunciations. Simple Bengali words and writing own name practiced. Students can now write any Bengali alphabet however, they still find it difficult to pronounce some of the script properly. So they are practicing these difficult pronunciations as home work.