The Hindu : New Delhi News : Dancers from Japan to delight Delhiites

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Wednesday, Nov 21, 2007
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Dancers from Japan to delight Delhiites

Zenith of culture: National Theatre Okinawa presenting “Ryukuan Dance”

The Japanese Embassy in New Delhi along with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations has organised a “Ryukyuan Dance” show at Shriram Centre in the Capital on Wednesday.

The dance performance has been brought to India by the National Theatre at Okinawa, Japan. The theatre was opened in Ursane City in January 2004 for preservation and promotion of Okinawa’s traditional performing arts, including a nationally impo rtant cultural asset -- the theatrical performances or “Kumiodori”.

The Okinawa prefecture was once known as the Kingdom of Ryukyu and lay in the south-western region of Japan. Though closely related to Japanese culture, the culture of Ryukyuans is a distinctive entity and has been traditionally influenced by China. Like all of Japan, their identity is deep-rooted and tightly-knit families and enriched inter-personal relationships form the hallmark of Okinawanian life.

The “Ryukyu” dance, symbolising the zenith of culture in Japan, originated in the Ryukyu Kingdom whose close commercial and cultural ties with several neighbouring regions, particularly China, were assimilated in a glorious royal culture that promoted its own aesthetics and sensibility.

The show on Wednesday will introduce the audience to the classical or court dances evolved in Ryukyu to entertain visiting Chinese envoys and emperors. Popular dances known as “Zo Odori” reflect the daily lives and sentiments of the common people and folk dances preserved and inherited in many areas of Japan. The event will also utilise performances on traditional Japanese musical instruments.

Kunal Diwan

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