The city has opened its arms to embrace a vibrant culture from the Far East. Japan Foundation has chosen Ahmedabad
as one of the three cities where it will bring its master musicians and
artists in what is going to be a grand cultural extravaganza. Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA) started its Centre for Indo-Japanese Relations last week with the aim to strengthen the ties between the two countries.
"Earlier on, Ahmedabad would never feature in the scheme of things for such large-scale tie-ups. Today, other than Delhi and Jaipur, the Japan Foundation has opted for our city to showcase its traditional musical culture, thanks to the infrastructure we could offer," says Mukesh Patel, a past president of AMA.
The first in the cultural series will be shamisen and folksong performance from Japan. Shamisen is a three-stringed traditional musical instrument that has been a favourite with the Japanese for over 500 years. Baisho Matsumoto, the pioneering shamisen player will be performing in the city on Sunday along with folk singer Yoshimi Fujimoto, master drummer Kyoko Hibiki and master dancer Akira Nishizaki at AMA. Akira's dance will feature 'Sakura sakura', an acclaimed piece depicting cherry blossoms, the country's beloved springtime flower. "We chose shamisen because it truly portrays Japan. Indian culture is very similar to Japan's, so we are hoping to strike a chord," says Machiko Yamamura, assistant director of the foundation.
Following the concert, the Indo-Japanese relations will thrive across the country with student exchanges, exhibitions on samurai costumes among other things. In Ahmedabad, AMA will start Japanese language classes soon. "The state has signed several contracts with Japanese companies. We will be a bridge between India and Japan, providing employment, helping break the language barrier and providing infrastructural support," says Patel.
"Earlier on, Ahmedabad would never feature in the scheme of things for such large-scale tie-ups. Today, other than Delhi and Jaipur, the Japan Foundation has opted for our city to showcase its traditional musical culture, thanks to the infrastructure we could offer," says Mukesh Patel, a past president of AMA.
The first in the cultural series will be shamisen and folksong performance from Japan. Shamisen is a three-stringed traditional musical instrument that has been a favourite with the Japanese for over 500 years. Baisho Matsumoto, the pioneering shamisen player will be performing in the city on Sunday along with folk singer Yoshimi Fujimoto, master drummer Kyoko Hibiki and master dancer Akira Nishizaki at AMA. Akira's dance will feature 'Sakura sakura', an acclaimed piece depicting cherry blossoms, the country's beloved springtime flower. "We chose shamisen because it truly portrays Japan. Indian culture is very similar to Japan's, so we are hoping to strike a chord," says Machiko Yamamura, assistant director of the foundation.
Following the concert, the Indo-Japanese relations will thrive across the country with student exchanges, exhibitions on samurai costumes among other things. In Ahmedabad, AMA will start Japanese language classes soon. "The state has signed several contracts with Japanese companies. We will be a bridge between India and Japan, providing employment, helping break the language barrier and providing infrastructural support," says Patel.
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