Indian Culture Day in Urayasu
On Saturday the intercultural group UFRA (Urayasu Foreign Resident’s Association) organized an event to celebrate the 60th year anniversary of relations between India and Japan. The event included a short presentation on some of the cultural awareness concerning India by Dr. Rabinder Malik, Odissi a form of classical Indian Dance by Sachiko Ito and a tabla drum explanation and performance by Dr. Sudarshan Ram.
The sounds of India echoed though out the hall as many of the audience members became as entranced as I was listening to the rhythms of ancient Indian culture. The dance by Sachiko Ito captivated many of the young members of the audience as they leaned on their elbows and watched every swish of the hips and clinking of her chained outfit.
Dr. Sudarshan Ram gave an interesting and humorous explanation on the tabla Indian drum. He followed it up by giving a tabla solo that was accompanied by one of his Japanese students on the Indian harmonium. Dr. Ram is a music teacher at the Indian Cultural Center in Tokyo.
I really enjoyed the dance and the music. I wish the program had allowed for more music because just as I was really getting into the music the time was up on us.
A big shout out to Meme Ise the new chairperson of UFRA, Sawmi the co-vice chair, and Patrizia the other co-chair. It was a great event to start of the new UFRA in a very positive direction.
If you are interested in learning more about UFRA please join our Facebook page. Even if you don’t live in Urayasu we welcome foreigners from all over Japan, and Japanese that are interested in intercultural exchanges.
