Japan Habba
Japan Habba (Japan Festival) (Kannada: ಜಪಾನ್ ಹಬ್ಬ, Japanese: ジャパン ハッバ) is a cultural exchange program between Indian and Japanese people. Started in 2005, it is an annual event that aims at showcasing Japanese culture, to students of the Japanese language and those interested in Japan and its culture, under one platform. It has been celebrated in Bangalore during spring (January–February) of every year.[1][2]
The word, "Japan Habba" was coined from two words, 'Japan' and 'Habba', where Habba refers to "Festival" in Kannada.[3][4]
Purpose
[edit]The sole purpose of Japan Habba is to facilitate, strengthen, and deepen the ties between the people of India and Japan, which is the foundation for relationships.
History
[edit]
Japan Habba started as a cultural event of the Indo-Japan Cultural Exchange Programme under the Department of Foreign Languages at Bangalore University in 2005. Satoshi Hata, who was a guest faculty for the Japanese language,[3] started it as an effort to promote Japanese learners, by providing them a platform to showcase their interest. Hata served as the Chairman of Japan Habba Organizing Committee (JHOC),[5] and after he left India, the members of the department continued to host the event.[6] It is now organized by the Japan Habba Trust.[7]
The first Japan Habba was held at Jnana Jyothi Auditorium in Central College Campus, Bangalore University, in 2005, and had 300 attendees.[8][9] The event has been organized year, but after 2009 there was a gap of two years and it resumed in 2011.[1] As the event grew, it was shifted to other locations– it was held at JN Tata Auditorium in National Science Seminar Complex, Indian Institute of Science from 2018 to 2024,[10][11] with the exception of 2021 when it was virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[12] In 2018, when the event moved to IISc, the expo component and Tech Fair were added; in 2021, anime-manga and cosplay were included; and in 2023, gaming events were introduced.[13]
The 20th edition of the event was held in 2025 at Chamra Vajra,[14] and reportedly had a footfall of 15000 people.[15] The expo was divided into segments based on the regions of Japan, featuring decor corresponding to that region; like the Shibuya Crossing in Kanto, and Nara Park in Kansai. Each attendee also got a Japan Habba passport on which they could collect stamps at each region and for each activity. In this edition, esports tournaments were also held as a part of “The Versus Festival: Habba Edition”.[13][16]
Program overview
[edit]There are various programs that are part of Japan Habba:
- Karaoke contest
- Group Dance
- Group Song performance
- Comparison of Indian and Japanese culture through a small play
Apart from celebration programs, a lot of booths are open in Japan Habba:[17]
- Japanese summer clothes (Yukata)
- Japanese tea ceremony (Ochakai)
- Japanese Calligraphy exhibition
- Live calligraphy experience
- Japanese paper folding exhibition (Origami)
- Kanji / Chinese character mehndi
- Japanese sweet candy
- Disposable chopsticks popper
Active organizations
[edit]Japan Habba is celebrated under the auspices of below organizations.[1]
- Japan Habba Trust
- Consulate of Japan in Bangalore
- The Japan Foundation, New Delhi[18]
- Bangalore Nihongo Kyoshi-kai (Japanese Teachers' Association, Bangalore)
- Koyo Japanese-speaking Group
- Indo-Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industries
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Japan Habba: From the land of the rising sun". The Times of India. 21 February 2011. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013.
- ^ "Come, discover the Land of the Rising Sun". The Hindu. 21 February 2011. Archived from the original on 26 February 2011.
- ^ a b "Japanese dance Bharatanatyam, sing in Kannada". Hindustan Times. 1 June 2009. Archived from the original on 17 January 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ "ಹಬ್ಬ", Wiktionary, the free dictionary, 2 January 2025, retrieved 2 February 2025
- ^ Iyengar, Vidya (4 February 2020). "From far east: Habba to bring Japan to Bengaluru". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ "Fostering friendship with 'Japan Habba': A melting pot of cultures, Bengaluru style". Deccan Herald. 3 February 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ "Japan Habba 2018 in namma Bengaluru". The Times of India. 6 February 2018. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ "Japan Habba in City on February 20". Deccan Herald. 16 February 2011. Archived from the original on 25 February 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ "Japan Habba: Experiencing the world of anime, manga & more". The Times of India. 13 January 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ "A habba to experience, savour the culture of Japan". Deccan Herald. 3 February 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ "Japanese cultural fair, Japan Habba is back and it's offline". The Times of India. 9 May 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ Service, Express News (15 February 2021). "Japan jubilations". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ a b "Japan Habba 2025: Everything Japan". Anime News Network. 1 February 2025. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ Kulkarni, Srushti (4 January 2025). "Japan Habba is back with a brand new edition at a brand new location". Indulgexpress. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ Finney, Paul [@paulfinneyx] (13 January 2025). "Japan Habba had a footfall of 15000 people this Sunday. Incredibly reception to new cultural exposure 🌸⛩️
Bangalore is home for the global cultures to coexist, in natural societal alignment to create new beautiful systemic properties that didn't exist before.
Look ahead!" (Tweet) – via Twitter. - ^ Sayyed, Rayan (22 November 2024). "Japan Habba 2025: Fighting Game Legends and Japanese Culture Collide in Bengaluru". IGN India. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ "Don't miss Japan habba from Sunday". The Times of India. 30 May 2009. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013.
- ^ "Japanese dance Bharatanatyam, sing in Kannada". overseasindian.in. 1 June 2009. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 2 February 2025.