Music of many lands

Japanese executives Takeshi Takubo and Hiroshi Chiba enjoy the startled looks that come their way when they break into Kannada film songs

The right note: Hiroshi Chiba enjoys singing Huttidare kannada nadalli huttabeku

From the heart: Takeshi Takubo learnt Kannada in just a few weeks pics/Vinod Kumar T

Japanese executives Takeshi Takubo and Hiroshi Chiba enjoy the startled looks that come their way when they break into Kannada film songs

Takeshi Takubo and Hiroshi Chiba, who work at Toyota Kirloskar Motors, are sure to startle you with their perfect rendition of Kannada film songs like Anisuthide Yako Indu from Mungaru Male, Jenina Holeyo Haalina Maleyo, an evergreen Raj Kumar hit, and Santosha ke Haadu Santosha ke, an energetic song picturised on the late Shankar Nag.

Takeshi Takubo, who came to Bangalore last September, says he picked up 'basic' Kannada in just a few weeks. All admiration for him, his colleagues began urging him to try his hand at singing. "They gave me the lyrics and I began practising," he says with a smile. Having progressed beyond 'namaskara' (hello) and 'dhanyavaada' (thanks), he says he'd like to watch a Kannada film without sub-titles! Edited excerpts of an interview.

From Japan to Bangalore, how has the journey been?
It's been great in many ways, but I really miss driving myself around. I simply cannot drive in Bangalore! Despite such hiccups, my family and I are enjoying our stay here.

Have you got around to trying out the masala dosa and the filter coffee?
At home, we eat the kind of food we used to eat back home in Japan thanks to my wife. At work, I get to enjoy Indian food at the canteen. And yes, I like dosas and coffee.

Your interest in the local language was born when...
I felt a strong need to communicate with my colleagues in their language. I wanted to chat with the car driver. I picked up key words quickly. I hope to watch a Kannada movie soon.

How much of the city have you seen?
As a family, we've gone to Bannerghatta National Park. We really liked the reserved forest area; the kids were fascinated by the animals.

If there was something you could change about the city, what would that be?
The roads could be better and the city could be cleaner.

Tee off with Hiroshi Chiba
HIROSHI CHIBA,Takeshi's colleague, stays in Koramangala, and says he decided to learn Kannada through film songs. "I discovered that I picked up the lyrics real fast." The Kannada Rajyotsava programme, organised at Toyota Kirloskar Motors, was an impetus for him to test his newfound skills. "I sang a Kannada song and the audience was ecstatic," he says. Hiroshi loves golfing and is thrilled to live in a city where he can pursue his passion.u00a0