'Japan-India Friendship Year' with 'Wadaiko' concert

Chennai, Feb 7 (UNI) The Consulate General of Japan today launched the 'Japan-India Friendship Year' in South India with a live 'Wadaiko' (Japanese drum) concert here.

Six young drummers of Japanese troupe 'Oedo Sukeroku Taiko' produced melange of sights and sounds from their instruments, trigerring a wide range of emotions.

The rhythmic drum beats overwhelmed the milieu as the percussionists combined the technique of striking with the entire body, studied choreography and form, while moving with powerful elegance.

The troupe, which has performed all over the world including France, Belgium, Indonesia and Holland, would also showcase its talent in Mumbai and Delhi.

Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala inaugurated the concert at a glittering function.

The Japan-India Friendship Year, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Cultural Exchange Agreement between the two countries, was agreed upon at a summit meeting in 2005 between the then Japanese Prime Minister junichiro Koizumi and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh.

Based on this, India celebrates 'The Year of India' in Japan and Japan holds the 'Year of Japan' in India throughout 2007.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori is slated to inaugurate the 'Year of Japan' in New Delhi on February 13.

UNI