INDONESIA

Asian Music Cross Country Boundaries

"Japanese pop star Eriko Imaei recently travelled to India to share her music with hearing impaired children there."

Japanese pop star Eriko Imai has been named “Mother of the Year” in her home country.

She has learnt sign language after she realised her son—now eight years old—has hearing problems.

She now hosts a sign language television program in Japan …and recently travelled to India to share her music with hearing impaired children there.

Deaf students of the Aanandilal Poddar School eagerly wait for the arrival of Japanese pop artist Eriko Imai.

They have prepared a special welcome message for her in sign language. They have also drawn her portrait.

Daya Ram is the Principal of the school. He explains the purpose of her visit.

“Apart from imparting good education to these children, our prime objective is to keep them happy. She is coming here to sing a special song for the children and the students are elated to perform with her.”

Eriko Imai is pop star in Japan who rose to fame as the vocalist for the band “Speed”.

When she became a mother to a son with hearing problems she learnt sign language. And she now teaches music to deaf children.

“She is teaching us the song through the vibrations, especially from her guitar,” says Preeti Jain who has been taking part in her workshop here in India.

“ Although the students cannot hear the song and music but they are thoroughly enjoying it.”

The Japanese pop star arrives…. and they head into the rehearsal hall.

Puja Mouli is the name of the song which Eriko and the children have created. It refers to the wrist bands that Hindu’s ritually tie on friends or family.

Some of the lyrics are…..“Your little finger, my little finger, can we find our pledge of friendship...” 

“The wrist band used in Indian rituals is the same for everyone. That’s the same as the problems faced by deaf children throughout the world. If these children join together, they will feel empowered and strengthened. The bonding between the children will teach them the new way to live a happy life.”   

Eriko can’t speak Hindi….but they are communicating well through lip reading and sign language.

Using sign language, Anita says that she can understand the meaning of each words through vibrations. And she says that she enjoys the song very much.

Eriko Imai sings the song while the children sing it through sign language. The proud teachers watch on.

“I think they cannot hear the song with their ears but can understand it very well through their hearts. This is the power of music which doesn’t need any language or country to express itself.”

Eriko Imai is happy with the performance. She says that her only son who is hearing impaired would have also enjoyed the song. 

“Eyes are to see, heart is to feel while the body is to absorb the sensations. Through these ways I take care of my son who is in Japan. These children have the same feelings like him. I wish to spread love amongst all of them.”

Eriko received “The Best Mother” award in Japan, some time ago.

“My message for all is that the children throughout world is the same … There should be no discrimination against them. All of the children including the ones with impaired hearing and speech are the same and equal. Everybody should come forward to help them.”
    

• Japan deaf music
• Eriko Imaei
• teaching deaf children with music
• Japan musician