HYDERABAD: For the first time Hyderabadis will get a chance to watch students from an alien land perform plays in Hindi and Urdu.

A group of 26 Japanese students from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and Osaka University of Foreign Studies will stage two dramas `Hiroshima Ki Kahani', an Urdu play and `Ek Raag Do Swar', a Hindi play at Gandhi Bhavan here on Saturday.

Giving the details to mediapersons on Thursday, Director Department of Culture Arja Srikanth said that the unique programme was being organised jointly by Department of Culture and Idara-e-Adabiyat-e-Urdu.

Asada Yutaka, Professor at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies who teaches Urdu said that they had already toured 11 cities including Delhi, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Bangalore, Mumbai, Bhopal, Jaipur etc., and Hyderabad would be their last venue in their month-long tour. "People will be curious to know how foreign students learning a foreign language will perform before native people. But I am confident that our students will surprise you all," he said.

Screening of Hindi films

Mizokami Tomio, Professor at Osaka University of Foreign Studies, who teaches Hindi, said Hyderabad was equally popular for Hindi and Urdu languages and they were looking forward to present their plays.

Prof. Asada said they taught as many as 26 foreign languages in their university and at least 15 students enrolled for Urdu every year. "We also screen films like `Mughal-e-Azam', `Umrao Jaan', and `Pakeezah' as part of our syllabus to help our students pick up Urdu language and culture. Staging plays will help students overcome their hesitation in speaking a foreign language," he averred.

Yoshio Inoue, a student enrolled for Hindi language, said he loved Urdu language too as it was a beautiful and an expressive language.

Yumiko Ishii, an Urdu student, said she did not mind cutting her long hair short to play the role of a boy. Asked why she chose to learn Urdu, Yumiko said she wanted to be different from others though Urdu was not popular in her country.

Bollywood fans

Stating that she is a fan of Hindi films, the girl said Aamir Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Preity Zinta were her favourite stars.

The plays of one hour duration each would commence at 6.30 p.m.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail