Benoy K. Behl, noted art-historian and photographer, has come up with an exhibition of photographs highlighting India and Japan’s shared cultural, linguistic and philosophical roots at the Japan Foundation Gallery in New Delhi.
Shedding light on the exhibition, which is on till September 12, Behl says many ancient Indian traditions are well preserved in Japan. “For instance Saraswati in Japan is depicted and venerated not only with the veena but also remembered for her association with water. Deities we have practically forgotten in India, such as Vayu and Varuna, are still worshiped in Japan. Their biggest festival, Gion festival, held in Kyoto is also based upon Indian deities,” he says.
Recalling his first visit to Japan, Behl says, the first time he went to Japan he expected the Japanese people to be very different because of their stereotypical portrayal in the media. “You don’t really know how a Japanese person thinks. But I found them exactly like us. The culture is the same, the respect for elders is the same…”
Behl says, people of modern outlook need not be worried that focusing on culture will lead to less economic development. “In fact, culture provides the discipline, meaning and concentration in life.”
