She was the cynosure of all eyes

The 25-year-old Japanese rendered ‘Yugayugadi Kaledaru…’

Wakako Ito during her performance at Chandana Chaitra in Bangalore on Sunday. Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

All eyes were on her at the Raj Bhavan on Sunday when she sang at a cultural programme of music and dance in connection with Ugadi.

After rendering “Yugayugadi Kaledaru”, 25-year-old Wakako Ito, a Japanese citizen, was surrounded by her admirers who were waiting to get a photograph with her.

The B.Sc agricultural science student of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, who wore a traditional Japanese dress, insisted on answering questions in Kannada during a quick interview with

The Hindu .

“I was initially scared to take up this challenge as I am not a professional singer. Moreover, I have been learning the language only for a few years,” she said soon after her performance.

She said, “I am overwhelmed by the love, affection and the warmth from these people.”

Ms. Ito said that she had rehearsed only for three days. “I even started crying yesterday but the organisers encouraged me and I came on stage today,” she added.

Her classmate, Rani N., who had tutored her, said, “she practised very hard over the last few days for the programme.”