Japanese delight: They sang, danced and stole the show

Thunderous applause greeted young Tomoko Mutsunda as she finished the Kannada film song Anthu inthu preethi banthu.

The Japanese girl’s perfect diction and flawless, sweet voice stole the hearts of hundreds assembled at the Jnana Jyothi Auditorium in Central College on Sunday.

This was not the only surprise for them at the Japanese Habba 2012.

Mutsunda presented two acts in Bharatanatyam of which the one ‘Yakundena Tushara haradavala’ showed rare maturity.

As a group of Japanese artistes performed a song and dance for the popular hit Huttidare Kannadanaddlli huttabeku, the audience gave them standing ovation.     

Japanese and Indian children aged between three and 10 gave a karate presentation. Local girl Dashami presented a Japanese song.

There were many more cultural programmes to entertain the gathering from morning to evening.

The habba is part of an Indo-Japanese cultural exchange programme to enhance the relationship between the two countries.

The festival has been going on every year since 2005. It is organised by the office of Japanese consulate and Bangalore University’s Japanese Language Teachers’ Association.