Japanese trio soak in rustic Holi spirit at Nawada village

Gaya: Music is often described as the only universal language and in a small hamlet of Akbarpur block in Nawada district, that sentiment came gloriously alive. As drums echoed across the fields and colours of Holi lingered in the air, a group of artists from Japan arrived to celebrate the festival in unfiltered village style, trading urban comforts for earthen warmth.

The trio — actor Kayo Vakatabe, singer Takeru and chef Asami — represented a unique fusion of acting, music and culinary craft. Yet, in Pirauta village on Saturday, titles dissolved and rhythm took over. The beat of the “dholak” was enough to sweep the visitors into celebration mode. Clad in dhoti and traditional attire, the guests from the Far East danced with abandon to local folk tunes, matching steps with villagers in a spontaneous exchange of joy.


The pre-Holi gathering took shape not as a staged spectacle but as an organic celebration. The Japanese guests laughed, clapped and swayed to the pulsating drumbeats.

For a change, chef Asami set aside his own culinary tools. Instead of preparing rural delicacies, he relished them. Cooked slowly on earthen ovens fuelled by wood, the food carried the aroma of soil and smoke. Shunning dining tables, the visitors squatted comfortably on mud floors, savouring dishes made with jaggery, fibre-rich raw flour and mustard oil. Served on leaf plates and in earthen pots, the rustic spread left a deep impression, said the organisers.

The visit was part of a broader initiative to promote rural tourism. Ranjan Kumar, a Delhi-based lawyer from Nawada, encouraged by the district administration, has developed a model aimed at showcasing village life as an immersive cultural experience.

As a concept, rural tourism involves visitor activities in non-urban areas, focusing on authentic, nature-based experiences, agricultural lifestyles and local culture to generate sustainable income for rural communities. It has been observed that many international travellers seek meaningful engagement with nature and unfiltered traditions.

“Diversification of tourism is the need of the hour,” said a Bodh Gaya-based tour operator, adding that rural tourism, being cost-effective, has the potential to retain visitors for longer durations.

“We have got a very rich cultural heritage but unfortunately feel shy of its marketing in today’s world where people prefer off beat things,” said Syed Masihuddin, a political activist from Nawada district.