PRESS RELEASE N0: JPNEMPAK: 10-048

Islamabad: 3rd November 2010

The Embassy of Japan in collaboration with the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), and Pakistan-Japan Cultural Association, Islamabad organized a Japanese Folk Musical Performance of Hanagasa & Kagura Dance and Wadaiko Drums performed by the students of Japanese School at the National Art Gallery on 3rd November 2010.

About twenty school children between 6 to 15 years old performed a lively set of traditional dances and a drum beat ensemble. Some of the audience may have been reminded of their performance two years ago as an opening to the Embassy of Japan’s “Exhibition of Hand Crafted Form” at the National Art Gallery. This year, the students enthralled the audience with Wadaiko drumming and their folk dance performances with a bilingual recitation explaining about their performances.
Wadaiko is the Japanese name for both the act of drumming in a traditional Japanese style (of which there are many) and the drums themselves. The name comes from the Japanese words 'Wa', meaning 'Japanese', and 'Taiko', meaning 'drum'. In modern Japan, wadaiko has become more of a performance art, seen at festivals or in concerts.
The amateur performers showcased a folk tradition of Japan by exemplifying their dedication and discipline in mastering a complex choreography. This musical performance provided an opportunity for the Pakistani people to learn more about the culture and traditions of Japan through their little Japanese friends. (End)