A performance in appreciation

source: kuensel

Japanese singer will thank through music the people of Bhutan for their support of Japan’s quake victims

«Tokiko Kato and Aa-yang music school’s Jigme Drukpa  rehearse for tomorrow’s concert
Clock Tower Square: Veteran Japanese singer, Tokiko Kato, will perform at the Clock Tower Square in Thimphu tomorrow evening to thank, through music, the people of Bhutan, and wish the royal couple on their first anniversary.

“The support and help in monetary form, and the prayers Bhutanese offered for the victims of the earthquake last year in Japan has really touched my heart,” she said. “I want to thank the people of this country for their support in the form of music.”

Tokiko Kato’s music is mostly modern pop and folk, and she sings about the Japanese and their enduring in difficult times, farming and agriculture, environmental conservation and other themes.

At the Clock Tower Square, she will perform 17 songs, most of which are her compositions, including a Bhutanese song “Kuzuzangpo.”  Aa-yang music school founder, Jigme Drukpa, will accompany her on three Japanese songs, while students from Pelkhil HSS will sing a peace song composed by Tokiko Kato.

The 68-year-old singer, composer, actress, lyricist and environmentalist first visited Bhutan last year, and found the people to be “extremely friendly and respecting”.

Tokiko Kato, who has performed major concerts in about 30 countries around the globe, decided to hold a concert in Bhutan, not only to thank people and those, who visited Fukushima to show their support, but also to wish the royal couple on their  anniversary.

“I wanted to do the concert during the royal wedding anniversary, but couldn’t make it in time,” said Tokiko Kato, who has been singing for more than 48 years. “We hope this will further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.” She won the Japan Amateur Chanson competition in 1965, and has since released more than 70 albums.

She was appointed as councillor for World Wildlife Fund Japan in 1997, and the special envoy for United Nations Environment Programme, from which she resigned in March last year.

Organised by Bhutan Friendship Holidays, in collaboration with GNH Travels and Services, Japan, the concert is supported by the foreign ministries of the two countries, the Japan embassy in New Delhi, JICA Bhutan and Konoike Transport limited.

By Tshering Pamo