AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

        Depicting the cultural and traditional similarities between India and Japan, Consulate of Japan in Chennai and ABK-AOTS DOSOKAI, Tamilnadu centre, jointly organised a three-day Japanese dolls exhibition in the city.

        Vice Consul of Japan, Chennai, Sakura Ozaki inaugurated the exhibition yesterday.

        Speaking to News Today, ABK-AOTS DOSOKAI president G Chandramohan said the exhibition was organised to mark the festival known as Hinamatsuri or Dolls Festival or Girls Festival being celebrated with a prayer for the health and happiness of girls in Japan on 3 March.

        'Displays usually consist of an Emperor and Empress (dairisama) together with three ladies-in-waiting (sannin kanjo), five musicians (gonin bayashi) and other dolls, all arranged on a dais covered in scarlet cloth', he said, adding that the festival is similar to the Indian 'kolu' festival.

        ABK-AOTS DOSOKAI vice-president S Sivakumar said that 2007 being declared as Indo-Japan Friendship Year, various programmes had been organised and this one was the third event as part of the year- long celebrations.

        Amidst many eye-catching dolls adorning the hall were 'Fukusuke'-Bringer of Good Luck, 'Uma Nori Tenjin'- Heavenly God on a horse and 'Kabuto Warrior'-inspiring bravery, discipline and honouring the young boys. The exhibition is open to public from 10 am to 7 pm till 3 March. For further details, contact, 32903332 or 23740318.