Japanese Kabuki and India come together

kabuki
kabuki

In a significant development for the tourism world and India-Japan relations, the epic Mahabharata is being adapted for the famed Kabuki performance and will be staged in Tokyo in October this year at the Kabuki-za theatre in the Japanese capital.

Kabuki originated in the 1600s, and is steeped in tradition while gorgeous costumes and stunning makeup are some of the unique features of Kabuki.

The star attraction in the Mahabharta show is Onoe Kikuunosuke V, who has been practicing for the performance for the past 3 years. He is now 40 years of age, but has been involved in the arts since he was 6. He will play the roles of Shiva and Karan. He hopes that many Indians in Tokyo and from India will watch the performance.

The artist was in Delhi and performed the Kabuki masterpiece, Kanegamisaki, on August 20 as part of the India-Japan cultural exchange for 2017.

The International Centre for Kathakali artists performed the Duryodhana Vadham from Mahabharata at the residence of the Japan Ambassador. Both of the performances got standing ovations.

Onoe told this correspondent at the show that there were many experts in Japan on the Mahabharta who were guiding the October event in Tokyo.

Kabuki has been inscribed by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

The Kabuki performance was held in Delhi after 40 years since a performance has taken place in India.

About the author

Avatar of Anil Mathur - eTN India

Anil Mathur - eTN India

1 Comment
Newest
Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Share to...