Japanese flavour to enrich Rath Yatra

While pilgrims are waiting with bated breath for the ensuing Rath Yatra, the annual festival brings extra cheer for film buffs this year with the Japan Foundation, Consulate General of Japan, Kolkata and India Japan Friendship Centre (IJFC) jointly organizing a two-day Japanese film festival and exhibition during the nine-day car festival in Puri.

The proposed programme aims at commemorating the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and India. As part of the anniversary, the Japan Foundation, Japan Embassy and Consulate General of Japan in Kolkata have jointly been organizing cultural exchange programmes in different places in India.

"Keeping in mind the huge congregation of tourists from across the country and abroad for the forthcoming Rath Yatra, Japan chose Puri as its venue for conducting cultural programmes," IJFC (India chapter) president S K Dash told TOI. "The film festival will be held on June 23 and 24 at Santana Hotel in Puri. We urge the tourism department to supply us with brochures and leaflets to distribute among Japanese tourists. A Japanese delegation is scheduled to arrive in Puri soon. The Japanese visitors will enjoy Rath Yatra and learn Odia art and culture," Dash said.

Film screening will continue for six hours on June 23 and four hours the next day. A number of Japanese musical instruments, including giant drums, will be kept on display to woo the crowd.

Like last year, IJFC will organize a chariot-pulling ceremony on the occasion of Rath Yatra on June 21. A miniature chariot, constructed by some Japanese tourists last year, would be tugged on the Chakratirtha Road. "Unlike the chariots of Jagannath temple, we did not dismantle the small chariot. The same chariot will be pulled this time as well," Dash said.

Impressed by the craftsmanship of carpenters engaged in construction of chariots, some Japanese tourists had constructed a small chariot under the guidance of a carpenter last year. Their rath was a big hit, with over a hundred foreigners, mostly from Japan and Korea, pulling the chariot with elan last time.

Naoto Sakamoto, a Japanese tourist said, "We are eagerly looking forward to the mega festival this year." The touring Japanese delegation that will conduct the film festival will also take part in the chariot-pulling ceremony."