Bhubaneswar: Have you ever heard or imagined that a Japanese Professor can speak fluent Odia language? It is true. For Tanabe Akio, a professor at the Department of Cultural Anthropology in Tokio University, speaking Odia is just as speaking his own Japanese language. He is an expert in history and culture of Odisha and takes interest in matters related to Odisha’s rich cultural heritage.
Video Courtesy: Asit Mishra
Tanabe Akio says that his interest on Odisha is because of the state’s popularity and Lord Jagannath. He says in Odia that people of various castes and creeds live in Odisha. In Odisha, all these people live happily and peacefully unlike other states where we see caste conflicts. I was curious to know the reasons behind this peaceful state and wanted to do research.
Listen to this link given below to know more about Tanabe Akio and his love for Odisha and Odia.