India Cultural CentreEmbassy of India

Tokyo

Monthly Record of Events – September 2012

i. 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 September 1. The Vedanta Society of Japan is a branch of “Ramakrishna Mission” in India.

ii. 18 Students along with two Teachers from Tokyo Metropolitan Shohei High schools in Tokyo visited ICC

under the regular school visit programme on September 5. A documentary film on India, produced by XP Division MEA was screened. Power point presentation was made for the participants by SS (PIC)/ Director, ICC followed by a question-answer session on India. Ambassador, Ms. Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa interacted with the students and answered their questions.

iii. Namaste India Festival Organization and Management Committee held a meeting in ICC Multi-Function

Room on September 13 regarding the preparation of Namaste India Festival.

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iv. Embassy of India celebrated Hindi Diwas on September 15 at the Embassy premises. Around 75 officers and India- based officials of the Mission along with their family members participated in the event.

v. Hon’ble President ICCR, His Excellency, Dr. Karan Singh visited Japan from September 20 to 23 to participate in “Namaste-India Festival – 2012”. He visited the facilities of ICC- Tokyo on September 20 and participated in The Indian Scientists Association’s symposium by delivering a speech. The yearly symposium of The Indian Scientists Association in Japan was held in the ICC Auditorium.

vi. The Indian Scientists Association in Japan held its yearly symposium at the ICC Auditorium on September 20 and 21. Ambassador Ms. Deepa Goplan Wadhwa is Honorary Patron of ISAJ. ISAJ provides an organizational framework to promote greater interaction between Indian researchers based in Japan, as well as Indian and Japanese researchers, for the development and strengthening of research networks. Along with Dr. Karan Singh, Hon’ble President ICCR, Ambassador also delivered speech.

vii. As part of the celebration to mark the 60th anniversary of establishment of India-Japan diplomatic relation,

an ICCR sponsored 10-member Kalaripayattu troupe led by Mr. Babu Rajan Joseph visited Japan from Sep 21 to Oct 8 2012 to perform in “Namaste India Festival” as well as other locations throughout the Japan. The schedule of the performance of the group was as follows:

22-23 Sept- Performed at Namaste India Festival, Tokyo 24 Sept- Performed at the ICC Auditorium, Tokyo 26 Sept- Performed at Toyama 28, 29 & 30 Sept- Performed in Okinawa 3 Oct- Performed at Toyo University, Tokyo 5 Oct- Performance at Kanazawa 7 Oct- Performed at India Mela, Kobe

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viii. To mark 60th anniversary of the establishment of India-Japan diplomatic relations and 10 th anniversary of

the Association, Okinawa-India Friendship Association organized a 3-day Indian cultural event from September 28 to 30 in Okinawa. ICCR sponsored 10-member Kalaripayattu group performed during the event. On September 28, Association organized a welcome reception for the Ambassador, Mrs. Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa at the Hotel Royal Orion in Naha City. During the event, Ambassador delivered a short speech. The programme was followed by cultural performances by the Indian and Japanese artists. The event was attended and appreciated by around 200 guests from Okinawa prefecture, Japan-India Association and India community in Okinawa.

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ix. The annual flagship event, “Namaste India Festival” held at the Yoyogi Park in Tokyo on September 22 and 23. This festival is the largest Indian festival in Japan and promoting culture, business, friendship, goodwill and mutual understanding between Japanese and Indian people. In collaboration with local sponsors, ICC, Embassy of India and India Tourism, this two day festival offers India Cuisine, Handicrafts, Garments, Presentation and Demonstration. ICCR sponsored 10-member Kalaripayattu Martial Art performers troupe led by Master Babu Rajan Joseph performed at the festival. Ambassador Ms. Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa and President ICCR, His Excellency Mr. Karan Singh inaugurated the event and delivered speeches. Dr. Sudarshan Ram, ICC Music Teacher gave solo Tabla performances at the festival. More than 190,000 visitors visited this year and enjoyed the festival.

x. Japan Tea Association held its quarterly Tea Seminar on September 25, at the ICC Multi-Function Room. It’s a promotional event for Indian tea in Japan. The event was supported by Embassy of India and was attended by more than 60 people. JTA also organizes tea seminars all over Japan to promote tea consumption.

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xi. Ambassador and Minister (E&C) participated in the opening ceremony of the Toyama General Manufacturing Industry Trade Fair” held on September 27-29 at Toyama Prefecture. Minister (E&C) made a presentation at the “India Business Seminar” organized by the Hokoriku Economic Research Institute during the event.

xii. Japan Tiger and Elephant Fund in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India organized a musical entertainment programme on September 28 at the ICC Auditorium. The programme was envisioned to raise awareness about conservation projects in India, with special reference to tiger conservation. Japan Tiger and Elephant Fund, a non-profit and non-governmental organisation, contributes to protect the world of wildlife representing their voice and interests, so that global biodiversity and the natural environment of human beings will be conserved.

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ICC Classes in September

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: Taught complete details of 2 “Yama” Benefits of “Ahinmsa” “Satya” and “Sukshma Vyayaam”. Few new yogic postures were introduced.

Tabla :

Teacher’s Name: Dr. Sudarshan Ram No. of students in current session: 32No. of classes every week: 14No. of classes each student can attend: 2Content covered in this month: Basic Swar and Bol, Taal and Thaekas, Kaidas, Teen Tal 16 beat, Jhap Tal 10 beats, Rupak Tal 7 beats, Dadra Tal 6 beats, Kaharva Tal 8 beats etc. practiced.

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Vocal :

Teacher’s Name: Dr. Sudarshan Ram No. of students in current session: 8No. of classes every week: 2No. of classes each student can attend: 2Content covered in this month: Alap, Taan, Andolan Swar, Raag & Bandish etc.

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: Finished “Tattu-Adavus” “Nattu-Adavus” “Ganesh-Kautvam” continued practicing “Shabdam” and started learning “Asamuta-Hastas” and “Samuta-Hastas”

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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 practicing “Rum-Whisky” song dance steps from the Hindi movie “Vicky Donar”.

Hindi Language :

Teacher’s Name: Prof. Teji Sakata No. of students in current session: 12No. of classes every week: 1Content covered in this month: Practiced of imperative forms such as “Liilaa Aaraam Karo” Introduced and practiced of the usage of “Maen-Huun” “Tum-Ho” Introduced the usage of “Vahaan Kaun Hai?” “Ham Maidaan Mem Hain” Introduced and practiced of present tense such as “Maen Hindii boltaa huun” “Aap Hindii bolte hain” etc. Based on Lesson no. 7, 8, 9, & 10 from the text book “Saral Hindi Bhasha” (Hindi text book, written by Prof. Teiji Sakata)

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Bengali Language:

Teacher’s Name: Prof. Tsuyoshi Nara No. of students in current session: 8No. of classes every week: 1Content covered in this month: Reading and writing practice of Bengali conjunct letters, verbal conjugation of habitual past form and future form. Explained about the similarity and dissimilarity between Bengali and Japanese language, read and translate the Bengali sentences of present tense and present continuous tense etc . Unfortunately one student seems to have dropped out from the Bengali class. However, all other students have made steady progress in reading writing as well as translating any given Bengali sentences.

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: Basic hand & foot exercise, Basic Chari (how to walk), Basic stepping, Chouk #2~6, Theory–Tala (4,5,6 beets), Entrance part of Ganesha Bandana and theory of Ganesh shloka.

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