Original news source: Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
The Hindi Department of Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) is set to present a special stage play titled “Sagar Mahal” on 27 January 2026 at the Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Embassy of India, Tokyo. The performance is open to all, with free entry, and audiences are encouraged to attend with family and friends to enjoy this unique theatrical experience.
Written and directed by Chisako Yukutomo, Sagar Mahal is an original production that beautifully blends two timeless tales from different cultures the Japanese folktale “Urashima Taro” from Otogizōshi and the Indian fable “The Monkey and the Crocodile” from the Panchatantra. Through this creative fusion, the play highlights shared values, emotions, and storytelling traditions of India and Japan.
The story unfolds in the mystical Sea Palace (Ryūgū-jō), where a princess suffers from an incurable illness. In a desperate attempt to save her, a turtle journeys to the land in search of a monkey’s liver. Along the way, the turtle is rescued by Urashima Taro and eventually meets the monkey the very being it was meant to offer as a sacrifice. Bound by fate, Urashima Taro, the turtle, and the monkey set out together for the Sea Palace, where their hopes, intentions, and destinies collide. Will the princess be saved? Who will ultimately claim the legendary treasure box? The answers unfold through humor, dance, and unexpected twists.
The production features a talented student cast portraying memorable characters such as Urashima Taro, the Monkey, the Turtle, the Sea King, and the Princess, supported by land and sea ensembles, narrators, and a dedicated sound and lighting team. Their collective effort brings this cross-cultural story to life on stage, celebrating language, performance, and international friendship.
Event Details
- Date: 27 January 2026
- Time: 16:30 – 17:30 (JST)
- Entry: Free
- Venue: Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Embassy of India
2-2-11 Kudan-Minami, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Interested attendees are requested to confirm their presence by registering in advance via the link provided:
Registration: https://forms.gle/3JQ7heYgJny1zYqw6
Sagar Mahal promises an evening of engaging storytelling and cultural exchange, reflecting the deepening people-to-people ties between India and Japan through the universal language of theatre.
