HAYACHINE KAGURA – In Bengaluru
Supported by Sakuraa Nihongo Resource Centre
Japanese Folk Traditional Performing Art
To get a quick understanding…… Broadly speaking, Hayachine Kagura, is similar to our very own Yakshagana.
Its is believed to have originated in the 12th Century AD, in the central zone of Iwate Prefecture North-east Japan, about 600 KMs from Tokyo. Kagura roughly translates to “divine entertainment”.
Mt. Hayachine is sacred and revered by locals. There is small spring at the peak of this sacred mountain. Like with most rivers originating from a mountain, the spring develops into a stream, meanders through forests, builds up volume & speed to reach the fields in the plains. Local legend has it that fairy “Yakusha” becomes the stream.
As a gesture of thanksgiving for good harvests & also to ensure well being in the future, locals worship Hayachine Mountain by way of Kagura Performance every year on the same day.
There are similarities between Hayachine Kagura & Yakshagana.
- Dance Drama: Music, Dancing and Singing Narratives. There are episodes in Hayachine Kagura, Founding Mythologies of Japan, local legend and The Origin Story of The Shinto Temple. These are similar to our own, revered Mahabharata, Ramayana and Prana in Yakshagana.
- Hayachine Kagura is a touring performing arts. The troupe visits villages & local area around Mt. Hayachine between November & the following March.
- The stage size. Yakshagana’s stage space is about 10 Sqft and that of Hayachine’s is about 19.5 Sqft.
Hayachine Kagura Awards:
– Japanese National Intangible Cultural Heritage 1976.
– World Intangible Cultural Heritage UNESCO 2010.
DON’T MISS this rare opportunity to get an insight into Japanese Yakshagana. Its FREE!
Venue: Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan, Race Course Road, Bangalore
Date: 21st Nov 2014
Time: 7 to 8:30 PM
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