Wa No Kakehashi Builds Japan–India Cultural Bridge Through Kathak in Hyderabad
Four-day cultural showcase highlights Indo-Japan artistic exchange with performances by Indian and Japanese dancers.
Hyderabad, India – The four-day cultural programme Wa No Kakehashi — Bridge of Understanding Through Rhythms of India and Japan, which began on February 22 in Hyderabad, is bringing together Indian and Japanese artists in a unique celebration of classical dance and cultural dialogue.
Organised by Na Ra JAPAN HUB (NRJH) in collaboration with Japan-based Ruchika Kathak Dance Academy, the ongoing event (February 22–25) features a series of Kathak performances across prominent institutions in the city, aimed at strengthening Indo-Japan friendship through the performing arts.
The opening performance was held at the Amphitheatre Stage at Shilparamam, Madhapur, drawing audiences to a repertoire rooted in Kathak traditions while symbolising cross-cultural harmony. The programme includes Vandana (devotional invocation), Tarana (rhythmic composition), Thumri (expressive storytelling), and a special India–Japan choreography that reflects shared values and artistic synergy.
Led by renowned Kathak exponent Nalini Toshniwal, the performances feature a multinational ensemble including Japanese dancers Naoko Iwasaki, Mana Nakata, Yoshimi Kawakami, and Rie Nagai, along with Amisha Toshniwal. Together, they present Kathak as a dynamic medium for cultural exchange and mutual appreciation.
The festival’s itinerary spans multiple venues and academic institutions, including St Ann’s College for Women, BVRIT College of Engineering for Women, and Woxsen University, underlining the organisers’ focus on engaging youth and academic communities in cultural dialogue.
Nalini Toshniwal, founder of Ruchika Kathak Dance Academy, has been instrumental in nurturing Kathak traditions in Japan since 1990. Based in Osaka and Kobe, the academy trains students of diverse nationalities and has earned global recognition for promoting Indian classical arts abroad.
Na Ra JAPAN HUB, a Hyderabad-based not-for-profit institution, works across themes of economy, culture, and friendship to advance India–Japan relations. Through initiatives like Wa No Kakehashi, it aims to foster artistic collaboration, academic exchange, and people-to-people connect aligned with broader bilateral ties.
As the performances continue through February 25, the programme is expected to further reinforce the role of cultural diplomacy in deepening the India–Japan partnership, demonstrating how classical art forms can transcend borders and build enduring bridges of understanding.
