If Chiba San is not a son of the soil, who is?

By churumuri

It’s a cliche, but it’s true: music has no language. At Toyota Kirloskar’s 10th anniversary do, a Japanese employee does the late Shankar Nag proud in the land of his birth, in the language of his life.

Link via M.G. Radhika

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67 Responses to “If Chiba San is not a son of the soil, who is?”

  1. thodu Says:

    awesome!

  2. Andy Says:

    This is incredible performance ! Just look at the Jap guy singing without any promoter or script..his energy is just amazing..he is clearly enjoying himself and so are the crowd !

    Super video..thanks Radhika and churumuri for this..

  3. Vasuki Says:

    Simply outstanding!!!

  4. Dileepa Prabhakar Says:

    Excellent! Thanks you!

  5. prajwal Says:

    Man!!! I really enjoyed watching this! Thanks to the one who put it up!

  6. Guruprasad S Says:

    Can’t say whether he did just for the heck of it or for the love of the language/song.. But it does make one feel good..

  7. Shantarama Says:

    superb

  8. Sandesh Says:

    Superrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

    Nijavaglu tumba khushi aytu…Santoshakke haaDu oLLe santosha koDtu…
    Monne rajyotsava prashasti siglilla anta kittadralla… avrigella ee clip torsbeku.

  9. SomeOne Says:

    super !!!

  10. subbulakshmi Says:

    fantastic. how can we send this to the rakshana vedike guys?

  11. Palahalli Says:

    I wish Shri Khanna next door would be as sporty…

  12. Tunta Says:

    Lesson for NI’s in Karnataka.

  13. Bangalore Boy Says:

    Stupendous…..great video.

    I would like this guy to give some tips to Sonia :)

  14. sisya Says:

    alla.. if Chiba San can learn and sing in Kannada, kongarige northiegaLige En roga? no wonder, while Chiba San receives a frenzied applause, the bimarus get their balls blown off in Assam and MH.

  15. dandapinda Says:

    Amazing. Ivarige naanu Topi kaLuchide.

  16. kannadiga:) Says:

    Excellent…I wish our North Indian guys take a cue from this and try to gel with the local kannadigas…

    Excellent job Chiba San !!!!

  17. S.R.Rama Subbaiah Says:

    Japanese are indeed Great Originators of Imitation!

  18. Narayana Says:

    どもありがと

    ( Domo Arigato — Means Thank you in Japanese )

  19. Sac Says:

    Mast itta apa idu, henga namma kananda bhashe innu yettarakke hogali

  20. Prashant Krishnamurthy Says:

    Why cannot we see a piece of video without plunging a knife into “Kongas” and “North Indians”? It shows that the majority is wallowing in its victimhood. Here’s a question: how many Kannadiga Toyota staffers from Bangalore and Bidadi who are sent to Japan for training have sung a Japanese number, even a karaoke, at a party? If they have, why haven’t they put it up on YouTube to show how much better they are than “Kongas” and “North Indians”?

  21. Dr. Sree Reddy Says:

    Indian people do sing Japanese songs here in Japan. Unfortunately it is shown/portrayed in the Japanese media as an object of ridicule. I am sure Indian employees from Toyota sing Japanese songs at Karaoke bars. It does not get highlighted at all. Japanese media: be it print, visual media portrays India in a very bad light.
    It is only Indian media which goes gaga about Japan. Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Japan does not make any headlines in state owned NHK News.

    If North Indian/Tamilian sang Kannada song will that be telecast on You Tube?

  22. Dr. Sree Reddy Says:

    Just because somebody sings a song in Kannada does not make him/her a son of the soil. Agreed he appreciates and respects Kannada culture.
    His attitude is exemplary.

  23. Doddi Buddi Says:

    Becalmed Krishna Idol,

    This is not a contest. As Sisya correctly observed Northies and Kongas can very well participate in local culture.. I don’t think Indian staffers get to receive sustained posting in Japan for years together. If they do, believe you me, they will put up a great show. At the same time Konga employees will likely dance to the tune of Haleya Raja, Regeman and such types in a Japanese auditorium. I believe that is the sentiment expressed here by the posters.

  24. Kamalnabh Says:

    Excellent job by Chiba San and a wonderful gesture on his part to enthrall the audience with a Kannada number!

    Thanks to Radhika for posting this.

  25. Palahalli Says:

    Prashant, Kannadigas are over burdened with the languages they must learn mainly because they are also expected to live up to deceased political correctness such as what your trying to sell.

    Why not you question “Shri Khanna” about not singing or speaking a line or two in Kannada, especially when many of these worthies are “born and brought up” in Karnataka!

  26. Dr. Sree Reddy Says:

    @ Doddi Buddi
    Quite possible with Tamilians and Bengalis. They might just dancing to their own tamil and bengali tunes.
    Here in Japan every year January Japan based Indians clebrate Sankranti. The tamilians call it pongal and entire program they try to conduct in Tamil. Late 1990’s many times had to intervene and got many Kannada items introduced. That time there were some engineers from Bengaluuru who raked up many prizes for singing Kannada songs.

  27. jcmark Says:

    Idu nijvaglu ascharya aguvantha mathe santhosha koduvaantha video.
    The japanese guy has sung the song so amazingly with out slaughtering the lyrics… n that is the best part and we all need to saluate Chiba for this feat and he has indeed made kannadigas proud n at the same time paid tribute to late.shankarnag in his own way!!!!
    n at the same i urge all the northis to atleast put some effort in learning the local language(since they are residing n working on kannada soil) n to gel well with us rather than showing arrogance.

  28. Nagaraj Says:

    naanu ee video na store madi ittu kolltini.. really out standing… shankar nag ge kushi aagirabeku…woooo

  29. Pranesh Says:

    Amazing Video… Thanks for sharing with everyone…
    Chiba’s simply superrrr, should really admire / appreciate his energy levels… He just lit the stage on fire :-)

    My parents were so happy to see this video, they’ve already seen this quite a number of times and still don’t get bored…

    Thanks Again…

  30. Vasu Chikkatur Murthy Says:

    Kannada Nudi, Kannada Nade, Kannada Haadu
    Tumbi bantu aschrya, Idu kanaso, nijavo

    Leave the bitterness of those who have not picked up Kannada despite all these years of being in Karnataka

    Extend the sweetness to all

    Vasu

  31. Praveen Says:

    this is simply superb guru….

  32. Maven Says:

    Truly amazing gesture and talent shown by Chiba Sen. Although
    it is cultural in nature, I see some have not been really appreciative.
    I agree a song might not make a person son of soil, but atleast
    he has tried and some one from the crowd has put it on You tube.
    @Dr.Reddy garu
    If Dr. Reddy is in Japan, then sir why did u not take the initiative and
    put a kannda clip from Japan on You tube…. I guess the problem comes
    from the fact that we crib when others do something, but question is
    “do we do it ” and not “can we” (I m 100% sure we can), what is our
    contribution to improving kannada culture. An internal retrospect
    might tell us the answers.

    I don’t know Japanese, but have visted number of times, so i think i know
    a little bit about Japanese culture as well. India is a democratic country
    and if learned people like ur self starts differentiaing :Tamilians” , “Northis”
    “Kongas”,,, etc… then what about a lay mortal like me.

    Brew culture not by hatred but with dedication and passion. After all
    we dont live forever… do we Dr.Reddy??

  33. Venugopal Says:

    Kanditha idu oppuvanta karyakrama mathu Japanihaadugaranige danyavadagalu.

  34. sharoon Says:

    Chiba’s effort put in singing a kannada song is highly appreciable, but it’s really disturbing to observe the way people used a entertaining event in depicting once hatred and personal opinion towards fellow countrymen. It’s high time we all realize the magnitude of the issue and contribute once best in constructive manor rather than being destructive in words or works.

  35. Gaalipatta Says:

    Japanese guy singing Kannada song so beautifully is truly Amazing!! What is more amazing about it? His spirit of culture and humanity!! Its not about community, state, country or even politics… its respecting and appreciating each other’s cultures!! Namma haadugalu yeshtu impagide anta idanna nodidare gottagutte….so instead of wasting energy on blaming, get more creative!!

  36. Shiva Says:

    Wow…very good performance…..

  37. Dr. Sree Reddy Says:

    @ Maven
    Please read my previous posts for this article.
    I am just saying how certain Indian cultural groups might react in wherever they are be it in Japan or USA or India.
    A Japanese sings kannada song people appreciate it and put it on the You Tube. Do they do the same thing with Tamilian or Northy singing Kannada songs?. Many cultural associations of Indians do put Japanese items in their programmes, but they dont get positive appreciation from Japanese people inspite people performing well. That’s what i was trying to say. It becomes part of ridicule-show in the media.
    We give too much importance for anything “foreign”.
    I would have been very happy if somebody showed a Northy, Tamilian singing Kannada songs who have come to Bengaluuru and picked up the Kannada language.

    Just by travelling in a country, you may observe some cultural differences, I really wonder how much one will know about that society. I wish if you are able to read Japanese, you would have found out for yourself how those Japanese visiting/ living in India portray our country. I am sure none of us will tolerate such writing on India.

    Please note I have never addressed Tamil people as Kongas. Where have I used that word? show me.
    Why do you say u r a lay mortal? I dont understand.
    Ms. REDDY

  38. Dr. Sree Reddy Says:

    I took the intiative and called up people and started the Kannada sangha which was hijacked by someone else here at Tokyo.

  39. DSC Says:

    Very nice

  40. Tunta Says:

    Guru Sharoon, benki ilde hoge adallamma…
    Those “fellow countrymen” from north are so very infamous out here because of their attitude of not mixing with the Kannadiga society and taking liberty to talk ill of THEIR FELLOW COUNTRYMEN here. Sad, no one talks about that and u being one of them you will say what you are saying.

  41. vinod Says:

    I can’t see this video in either IE or Mozilla, any thoughts?

  42. sharoon Says:

    Dear Thunta, I am as much kannadiga as you are and love my language , but the point is we need not dilute human values in the name of language, region or what so ever.

  43. prajwal Says:

    @vinod

    i watched it in mozilla, it works; mebe u r missin a codec?

  44. Doddi Buddi Says:

    Naive Maven!

    You say …”India is a democratic country and if learned people like ur self starts differentiaing :Tamilians” , “Northis” “Kongas”,,, etc… then what about a lay mortal like me….”

    It is exactly the ‘containers’ we are talking about here. Kongas do not assimilate and of late Northies are justly being included in this category. Perhaps in an ideal world where people live on forever, these chauvinistic attitudes and moronic behaviors don’t exist. Likewise you don’t have a group of narrow minded Kongas demanding and getting classical language status for Tamil and then another Konga by the name of ‘Kanthi’ (Gandhi, I haved used Konga spelling) stands in the way of Kannada and Telugu being declared classical languages as well. So at the end of the day, the Konga name is reinforced forever as obtructionists on Kannada-related issues. It can be Cauvery, jobs in railways, MNCs, government companies, Kongas make inordinate demands and they are seen as spoilers.

  45. Sindhu Says:

    What a lovely video…

    Hi chiba,

    Lovely energy and great job dude.
    Hats off.

    Kannada bhashege namma namanagalu
    Karnataka maatege namma vandanegalu
    Yeladaru irru Yentadaru irru
    Yendendigu ni Kannada vagiru

  46. Deepak Says:

    Hi ,
    I didn’t even know this guy in Japanese tunic was singing in Kannada until I saw this forum.’Chiba San’ …I thought he was ‘Sony Chiba’ star of those ‘Street Fighter ‘ movies.
    What I realized…whatever this video is about …it gave another excuse for some people to show people (Read NorthIndians / Kongas ) in bad light.

    Tunta : “Attitude of Not mixing” .Same can be said about Kanadigas as well.It is rude to talk in your native language in front of a person who does not know it.Yet it happens.”Lines of Communication should be open ” .And you will see a different around yourself.

    Vessels of different kind are bound to collide.It’s human nature.Anything that we perceive as different from our being we are bound to despise.It takes time and an open mind.

    Stop taking yourself (your community (man made ) , your language (man made) unless you are a linguist amateur or otherwise) too seriously.Language is just a means of expressing yourself …and we end up being too romantic about it.Nothing wrong with that , but then we end up pitying one against the another and you know where that leads.
    There will always be jokes about different communities .End of the day they always be jokes.It’s like we end up picking on the person who takes himself too seriously .

    If some north indian guy or Konga ’sucker punched’ you i.e. the guy stole your girlfriend.Do not blame the whole community.I know it sucks but heck you live and learn.(it’s not like someone from some community had a hidden agenda against you all along ).Shit happens.

    The more you know about someone…the easier it is to walk in his shoes.

    Besides it should not be about how many exclude but include.Heck I know you like ‘butter chicken’.You don’t .Vegetarian you say .’Try Sarso ka Saag’ .You wont be disappointed.And guess I still have a taste of that last chettinadu meal I had.

  47. Divya Says:

    A Jap sings a song in Kannada. So? Get over it, people. Go see if Japan appreciates India … How many Japs know about Namma Bengaluru, or Kannada, huh? We go gaga over a Japan and its people. Pathetic.

    Direct all spams to me to your junk boxes.

  48. Dr. Sree Reddy Says:

    @ Divya
    well said.

    somebody is trying to boast sarso ka saag blah blah
    try eating our vegetarian food and if you ever get a chance to eat south indian non vegetarian items in reddy’s houses try eating it.

  49. Vijay Says:

    千葉ファンタスティックをしている

  50. Dr. Sree Reddy Says:

    @ Vijay
    あなたの日本語が間違っています。
    気をつけてね。

  51. Kumaraswamy Says:

    thanks to Toyota Kirloskar, Japan, for organizing such an event… that was a rocking performance by Chiba San…. I still cannot believe this… Chiba rocks!!!

  52. Nirmala Says:

    outstanding…..can i have email ID of Chiba San.?

  53. Putti Says:

    jozu desu ne, Chiba san!

    What an excellent performance!! Love the air guitar too. Oh, those crazy Japanese ;-)

  54. Ananth Raj Says:

    This is just amazing. Better than many of the Kannada Singers of today !!

  55. pradeep cs Says:

    Really awesome!

    See Outside people respect to kannada.
    Why not from ourself.

  56. ANANTH Says:

    its just superb!!! good Performance Mr. Japanese… and hats off to Shankar nag…

    Kannada Rocks!!!!!

    Proud Kannadiga
    Ananth JG

  57. Anil Says:

    shabash maga

  58. Sharanu Nagaraj Says:

    I dont have any words to say.. He has sung the song superbly..

  59. Doddi Buddi Says:

    Lighter AKA Deepak

    Yes language is a way to communicate but in your case it is something else. Please stick to sign language. Thanks!

  60. Sharath Says:

    At a time when Kannadigas themselves are ignoring Kannada and are embracing other languages, it is very inspiring to see a Japanese produce such a classic performance.
    I just would like to tell all Kannadigas who feel pride in embracing other languages that, “You have enough potential to learn many languages, but never forget Kannada and never ever belittle Kannada in front of non-kannadigas. Feel proud of being a Kannadiga while you learn and speak other languages and contribute to the growth of Kannada to your mighty best”
    Sirigannadam gelge!!

  61. PD Says:

    Ms Reddy…
    Hope you are in Karnataka, you should always encourage Kannada speaking people.
    A tamilian does’nt know to speak Kannada…But still they are leading lives peacefully in Karnataka.
    Whats wrong if these guys appreciate a Japne Guy….

    So Please stop correcting others

    Jai karnataka Mathe

  62. Senthil Kumar R Says:

    Fantastic job by the japanese guy. hats off to him for the interest
    in local language and his artistic skills.

    My mother tongue is telugu, i was born and brought up in TN.
    I lived&worked in karnataka for five years, i learnt kannada, i can talk
    reasonably well.

    But, that said, don’t tell stupid things like our north indians friends should
    learn etc. It is a individual right to learn or not to learn the local language.
    Instead of creating a debate on kannada vs other languages, make your
    language sounds cool and make it interesting to learn etc or do something
    constructive. I know a handfull of kannadigas who can’t speak kannada well, go correct them.

    it is people like you, who sit in a nice posh house create all
    this hostile emotions which will lead to common man die on the streets.
    Shame on anybody who tries to say that this is a lesson to non-kannadigas.

    be a human being first with respect for others and then be a kannadiga.

    - Senthil

  63. Dr. Sree Reddy Says:

    @ PD (thamma full name eenu?)
    right now i am in Japan, very soon will land at our Bengaluuru.!!
    What do you mean by “encourage Kannada speaking people”?
    Do you want to say encourage people speaking Kannada?. I always encourage that.
    I was just wondering why our Kannada world is going gaga over a japanese singing one Kannada song? It is called soft power tactics to bring or get good will by way of culture and promote their products and their ideology.
    why praise them so much.? ashte innenuilla. amele, if you can read japanese media, i am sure you will not praise them at all.

    @Senthil Kumar
    Are your comments aimed at me Dr. Reddy?
    Will answer.
    why should you bother where i sit and write my comments?
    We are driven out of our lands and our posh 350? year old ansectral house in Bengaluuru.
    You are saying as if you have seen my father’s house!.
    I will convey your message about his house.
    Since you are a Telugu, you learnt Kannada.
    What makes you think Kannadigas are not human beings. ?

    Oh you have seen handful of Kannadigas who cant speak Kannada correctly. OK since you claim to have learnt some Kannada langauge and you know those people, why dont you correct their Kannada skills please.
    We Kannada people will be very happy if you do that service to our language.
    Thanks

  64. Senthil Kumar R Says:

    No Dr Reddy, I was not directing my comments on you. I was targetting my comments on people who are trying to say “north india and tamils should learn from this japanese guy”, because there is nothing to learn. He just has interest in kannada and which i complete appreciate.

  65. Dr. Sree Reddy Says:

    @ Senthil Kumar
    Thanks. I got your point you are trying to make here. sorry for a haste reading.
    These Japanese people have great economic interest in India and will use softpower tactics to influence local people.

  66. Kunal Gupta Says:

    @Senthil Kumar R

    you are “Kutta na ghar ka na ghaat ka” What do you know the value of language or identity as you dont have one. I’m a North Indian and I hate “Addus” (people from Andhra) and “Tamils” ( kongas – as u call them).

  67. rachana Says:

    hats off fantastic

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