Sunday, April 05, 2009

Japan

has been one of my best trips so far. The people here are awesome. When I happened to mention that, they say since the community is small there is no unnecessary ego-plays or negativities. There is no one-upmanship either. Found a wonderfully integrated positive group of people. The show will be one of my memorable ones.
Once in Japan we landed at Mrs Valli's home and she is one of the most brilliant hosts that I have ever seen. Warm and compassionate. The apartment right below us is where the organizer of this show Mr.HariNarayanan and his family lives. And his wife Radhika is one of the most brilliank cooks. The warmth and honesty in these two families, I have moved with them most in these three days is amazing. their children grow up like siblings, take turns in taking care of them. Wow.
The day after we landed in Japan, Gajalakshmi, who travelled with us and works at Japan took us to have a look at Mount Fuji. She gave me a total crash course of the people, culture and language of Japan. She was also the presenter of the show here. And we were told that the Fuji does not reveal itself all that very easily and prefers being under the veil of the clouds. And we had such a wonderful view of the volcano in all its magnificence. And I have never seen such clean snow. Japan by itself is impeccably clean, no dust, no smoke, no vehicluar emissions that are visible. I am told this is near zero pollution. If one country, especially after the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki could literally rise from the ashes to be this, I do not see why India could not. Yes, I do know the reasons myself. And I wonder whether our people are really patriotic. If they were perhaps our country would have progressed far more, because in more cases that one, I think our country`s strength lies in the population. On the way back from Fuji there was a temporary halt at a lake for lunch and thereafter we proceeded to a dinner at one Mr & Mrs. Jeeva's place. he has been stationed in Japan for about 22 years +.
Day 2 we headed to a temple here Asakusa, rehearsal and dinner at Mr Mani's place. He is a Pravasiya Bharatiya Samman awardee and has been here for about 32+ years. I hear Mr Mani and Mr Jeeva somehow keep the community together and if the newcomers here feel lonely or homesick thats the place everyone has headed to.
Day 3 Day of the show. It started at 11 here with the local Indian and Japanese artistes displaying their talent and found that the children here were brilliant dancers. I also happened to sing along with Mr Srivatsan who should have taken singing seriously. He has a wonderful voice. Somehow I also feel that a whole lot of intelligent and talented population does not reside in India.
There was a one hour lunch break and resuming at 3 PM the show was wound up at about 6:45. Ever since I stepped foot in Japan, I had one agenda, of getting an acupuncture session. I kept asking around and then finally we found a place which was literally stone's throw from the civic hall where we performed. We walked up to the clinic and Mrs Chitra Govind played the interpreter.
I was amazed at the skill of the doctor and was amazed how I did not feel the needles getting inserted unless he told me. After a blissful 45 minutes I woke up new. And I have rarely come across such caring doctors. Turns out Mrs Chitra is related to me. If not for that couple, I guess I would never have gotten a session of acupuncture, at least not this time. They stayed along for an hour and a half and took us back home. Though the fact remains that one is dependant on those who know the language and the way around this has been a beautifully serene trip. All those I have moved with here, Hari and his family, Valli Murali and family, Gajalakshmi, the Govinds, the veterans of Japan and all those we met at the two dinner-dos and more importantly the audience came across as sincere people. No put-ons no cloaks. i wish I cold be more eloquent but I really do hope you, the reader, has the good fortune to come across such selfless beautiful people.
In a couple of hours I board the plane to Chennai.
They say Fuji calls you twice, if you have seen it. If that rings true - I hope it does, but for now, I wish I can store the positivity that envelops me right now, forever.

28 comments:

Raymond said...

Sounds like a memorable trip for you

கணினி தேசம் said...

That was quite a trip huh?

Post some photos for us of Fuji

Unknown said...

yeah..we shld take Japan as example if we need to be a developed country..hav a gr8 journey...

Maddy said...

Good to know you had very postive time in Japan. Wish you have more such trips from your routinue.

Raji Subramanian said...

Excellent Narration chinmayee.. I love to read your blog...

@^@^D said...

wow! glad that you had an amazing trip! On the cleanliness part, i think most of us are patriotics and its been that we indians are by nature very lazy and take things for granted . We dont take that small extra care and effort not to dirt or for that matter playing quiet when somebody does! yet the irony is , when the same indian goes abroad, he becomes one with their culture and brag that we in india dont keep it clean :P no offence meant. just that i see it this way ! how much i wish we live it up and make this a grt place :)

Anonymous said...

Have you completed phd in psychology?

Sashi said...

Hey Chinmayi, thanks for coming down to Tokyo. I enjoyed every second of the TNY celebration. "Maiyya Maiyya" was awesome. Spread the word across abt Japan and let ppl know how good this place is. Even the most educated ones are scared of coming here (food and language being the main reasons).. CU next time. Until then cYa.

Anonymous said...

wdid the accupuncture do ? do you feel rejuvenated ? pains and sores vanish ? any difference ?

Anonymous said...

Happy Journey:)

Otsukare samadeshita!!!!!!!!!!!!

பட்டாம்பூச்சி said...

Welcome home.So u r back after a blessed trip to Japan?I am waiting to go there to have a look at that most praised place.Lemme see when I get that chance :).Hey,how about your Himalaya trip?Was expecting a post about your experiences there too.Elaborate your experiences in Japan if possible.I am interested in that part ;-).

பட்டாம்பூச்சி said...

//They say Fuji calls you twice, if you have seen it.//

Yes I have heard people calling Mt.Fuji as "Fujisan"."San" is a respectful way of greeting somebody like "Sir" or "Respectful".I am amazed at the way they give respect to even non-living things.

Hope Fujisan will call you again :)
All the best.

Deepak said...

Hello Chinmayi,
Nice to heat your Japan experience...
I was actually wondering what happened to your anchoring in Super Singer! That brought me to your blog to find some news about you! Super singer is really missing you! Hope u r back for the junior super singer :) and your versatile singing is amazing, I have always thought of asking you, is your blog titled what to name it inspired from Illayaraja sir's album How to Name It?

Your way of giving a try at everything that comes your way is really great!
Keep rocking Chinmayi,
Deepak.

Niranjana Nammalvar said...

Hi Chins,
Please upload some pics. Want to see Japan through your lens.

Arun said...

Wish you many more such acquaintances

குப்பன்.யாஹூ said...

nice to hear that Chinmayi.

But oe fact is whenever people cross India they will get patriotism, vandhe madram, barath maadhaki jai etc.

Anonymous said...

Konnichiwa...

Woohoo Mt Fuji... The 10 level Mt Fuji Trek will be always a amazing experience.

Indians needs to believe every Indian is special and equal.

Inspiration never comes from pessimism.

hav fun !!!

Jayamurugan said...

Seems a memorable trip for u. Post some pics taken at the show if possible.

Sathiya said...

That was good narration! I can visualize everything....

Anonymous said...

Hai chinmayi

Excellent mundhinam songggggg

பிரியமுடன்... said...

Kon ni chi wa Chinsh! Might not be fare if i ask u how was your trip! Good narration what! Nowadays we r the people have been splending this tiny world through the google map! But u r the one lucky girl...
உலகம் சுற்றும் வாலிபியாக
உங்களை கண்டு
உள்ளம் மகிழ்பவர்கள்
உள்ள இந்த
உலகத்தில்
பொறாமைப் படும்
மக்களும் இருக்கத்தான் செய்வார்கள்!
இப்படி ஜப்பான் எல்லாம்
சென்றால் மனிதனுக்கு
பொறாமையா இருக்குமா இருக்காதா
நீங்களே சொல்லுங்க.....
உங்களுக்கு 6* போல இருக்கலாம்
இதை படிக்கும் சிலருக்கு 60* ஆகிப்போச்சு.....விடு...விடு... இன்னொருமுறை ஜப்பானில் கல்யாணராமன் பாத்துட்டா போச்சு....
a ri ga to u!

bash said...

Very nice about to hear the nicest things around,that too thro a finest narrator...

what next....Himalayas!!!...hope n wish that too a still great one....

Anitha D said...

sounds like a wonderful trip! keep rocking!
your fan, ~Anitha~

skar said...

Japan has one of the highest suicide rates for a nation in the world.

Ananthasayanam T said...

good, enjoy..!facebook snaps are also nice-gives nearly a feeling of oru deivam thantha poove song

Girish Subramanian said...

It was gre8 to have you here and was blessed to meet you and hear you sing at such close quarters.

I was one among the audience and you were the first one to oblige me with an autograph.

Thanks once again and hope that you make another trip to Japan soon :)

Vasanthan said...

Fuji has been calling me many times from the TV, and the calls are going unanswered. after your explanation, i really have to go now.

Dha said...

Hi!! I guess you remember me!! You met me in Japan!! I danced in the invocation dance....... Plz visit my blog!!