Karnataka - Bangalore

An effort to bridge the Indo-Japanese cultural gap

— Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

Traditional: Members of the Sakurakai Ladies Association at a session on ‘Festivals of India’, organised by the India Japan Initiative in Bangalore on Thursday.

BANGALORE: It was a rapid education on Indian festivals, much shorter than the shortest cricket game.

But at the end of the two-hour session, the Japanese women at the session appeared eager to learn and experience more of India. The festival session was organised by the India Japan Initiative (IJI) and the Sakurakai Ladies Association.

Walking in for the event organised at the city’s new Ista hotel, the Japanese were treated to a very Indian experience with the ceremonial aarti, gajra and bangles. They were then given a presentation on the main festivals of India, including Sankranti, Dasara, Deepavalli and Eid.

An Indian interpreter translated English to Japanese. But some in the audience surprised one and all with their English questions.

Deeply involved in the presentation, Ms. Yukoshimoizu had arrived in Bangalore three summers ago, accompanying her husband, who now works in the customer service team of Toyota Kirloskar Motor Ltd.

“I have learnt English and am now interested to know more about traditional customs and festivals,” she explained.

Miles away from her Japanese home in Nagoya, she is settled here with her husband and two children studying at the Canadian International School.

The IJI is a not-for-profit venture from the Kirloskar group and is designed to build enduring associations between the peoples, governments, businesses and cultures of India and Japan. IJI strives to create and nurture stronger ties between the two countries through exchange of views, interests and learning at various levels. “We believe that connecting at an emotional level brings people closer,” explains Geetanjali Kirloskar, chairperson, IJI.

To take the IJI idea further, many companies have joined the initiative.

Among them are Bharat Forge, Citizen Watches, Canon India, Infosys Technologies, Kentosh Toshiba, Marubeni, Motherson Sumi, Mitsui, Mitsubishi Corp, Sansui, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts, Toyota Kirloskar Textile Machinery, I-flex Solutions and Sona Koyo Steering Systems. “The IJI will undertake multi-dimensional activities at three basic levels to achieve its goals: people-to-people, culture-to-culture, and business-to-business,” says Ms. Kirloskar.

The IJI has proposed more sessions on Indian costumes, bridal wear and other aspects of contemporary India.

The Japanese members of the initiative are already busy holding sessions on Japanese tea-making, kimonos, Ikebana and Japanese food.

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