Book on Indian Miniature Paintings in Japanese

Vadodara, Feb 28 (UNI) The traditional Indian miniature painting has made its inroads into Japan, following the efforts of Masaaki Asahara, a 65-year-old Japanese.

Asahara, who is here for the release of his book on Indian Miniature Paintings published in Japanese, hopes his work, which throws light on Indian history, art, religion and culture, will be very useful for the exchange and promotion of cultural ties between India and Japan.

Talking to UNI, the author said,''It was a Diwali greeting card with miniature paintings which, in fact, left a deep impression on my mind when I was posted in Vadodara as CEO of Novino Batteries in early 1980s.'' The art-friendly environment of Vadodara also impressed and inspired Asahara to develop a keen interest in Indian arts, especially the miniature paintings.

But after his retirement from active employment in 2001, Asahara understook a study and research on the Indian miniature paintings and it took six long years for him to write this book on this great Indian art in two volumes in Japanese. The author, who visited numerous museums, palaces, forts and places across the country in past six years for an in depth study and research on the topic, feels that religion, culture and history was beautifully and clearly depicted on every sheet of Indian miniature paintings.

Asahara said the Japanese had hardly any knowledge of miniature paintings that florished in India during the medieval period and he decided to share this with his countrymen by writing a book in Japanese to promote mutual understanding and cultural relation between the two countries.

Releasing the book at a function organised at the Palace Museum here today, renowned artist Ranjitsinh Gaekwad, a scion of the erstwhile Gaekwad royal family, congratulated Asahara for his efforts to promote Indian art and culture in Japan.

UNI