Culture

After Bhagavat Gita, Tokyo Professor translating Hanuman Chalisa for Japanese readers

“The Bhagavat Gita and its message is not just for India but for Japan and the entire world. It teaches one to live and face life,” says Sato Hiroyuki, professor at Tokyo’s Musashino University. This will be his second translation. Two years ago, he translated Subhadra Kumari Chauhan’s “Jhansi ki Rani.”

Hiroyuki, who teaches Hindi and Indian culture in the university, has just finished translating the Bhagavat Gita in Japanese. The book, published by Kadokawa Future Publishing, will be released on December 25.

Talking to India Narrative, Hiroyuki says that it was his passion that led him to translate the book.

Mera ek junoon tha ki main Bhagavat Gita ka anuvaad karoon aur Japanese logo tak pahuchau (I had a passion that I wanted to translate Bhagavat Gita and take it to the Japanese audience,” he says. Hiroyuki considers himself lucky that Kadokawa Future Publishing, which was set up in 1954, supported his efforts.

Though this is not the first time Bhagavat Gita is being translated into Japanese, Hiroyuki, who is not only teached Hindi but is an authority in Sanskrit too, says that it is important to translate the book in a way that people can read and comprehend. “I wanted to write in simple words and convey the inner message,” he adds.

After the Bhagavat Gita, Hiroyuki has plans to translate Meerabai and Hanuman Chalisa, comprising devotional hymns.

Hiroyuki is also an avid follower of Bollywood movies. He has translated blockbusters such as Mother India, Sholay and Chak Le India, starring Shah Rukh Khan. “I have already approached the Indian Embassy in Japan for the required approvals from the producers,” he says, noting that these films reflect Indian culture while passing on the all-important message of dealing with life.

As India and Japan look to cement economic and political relations, the focus is on boosting people to people contact through soft power.

At present, Japan is the fifth largest investor in India. The cumulative foreign direct investment (FDI) stood at $37.7 billion between April 2000 and till June, this year.

Earlier Suzuki Takashi, Chief Director General, Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro), India told India Narrative that the two nations must devise ways to enhance people to people connect. “At present there is this issue of miscommunication, We have to work closely to change that,” he said.

Also read: India and Japan should now have more people-to-people exchanges: Jetro

Mahua Venkatesh

Mahua Venkatesh specialises in covering economic trends related to India and the world along with developments in South Asia.

Recent Posts

VINBAX 2024: Vietnam-India bilateral army exercise concludes at Kaushalya Dam

The fifth edition of the historic Indo-Vietnam Joint Field Training Exercise, VINBAX-2024, successfully concluded its…

12 hours ago

India-Russia strengthen defence ties at 22nd Working Group meeting on military technical cooperation

The 22nd meeting of the India-Russia Working Group on Military technical cooperation and defence industry…

13 hours ago

“I want to have strong representation of India at World Nuclear Exhibition 2025”: Sylvie Bermann

Sylvie Bermann, President of the World Nuclear Exhibition expressed confidence in India's nuclear supply chain…

14 hours ago

PoJK: Joint Awami Action Committee protests against government following new ordinance, many injured

Joint Awami Action Committee core member Shaukat Nawaz Mir has condemned the attack of police…

14 hours ago

PM Modi meets 31 world leaders, heads of organisations during his 3-nation foreign visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in 31 Bilateral Meetings and informal interactions with global leaders…

17 hours ago

India- Australia conduct 11th Indian Air Force-Royal Australian Air Force Air Staff Talks

India and Australia conducted the 11th edition of the Indian Air Force and Royal Australian…

17 hours ago