Friday, November 14, 2014

A Distinguished writer from Japan : Mr Tajima Shinji

Friday, November 14, 2014

Thanks Mr Tajima Shinji!


This was just a coincidence.

The other day i was at Sahitya Akademy's Book shop situated at 1st floor of Ravindra Bhavan, New Delhi where me and Japan's distinguished children's author Mr Tajima Shinji happened to meet each other by chance.
Obviously this was my first interaction with him but one thing was common between us.We both were purchasing the same title i.e. ACHARAJ GRIH KI DANTAKATHA, (English Title -The legend of Planet Surprise)originally authored by Mr Shinji. The book, published by Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, has five children's stories in Hindi (translated by Mr Harish Narang).

All the stories are dramatically entertaining  & depict Author's serious concern for endangered environment & humanity. The first story Konkichi Homehill (English Title- The lonely Fox) has been the most popular composition of Mr Shinji, translated in many languages, & dramatised in many countries both at stage as well as on small screen. 

However, to my surprise, I came across a few printing errors in the first story itself where the name of the protagonist - has been printed as Konkini  instead of Konkichi and the title of the story is also wrongly mentioned as Konkini Home Hin instead of Konkichi Home Hill (Pl.see index). May be this is a  small proofreading error, but in a Foreign writer's book, published by the Nation's  Most reputed Literary Organisation makes a poor impression amongst the vigilant readers. The edition in question is of 2013 and I haven't seen the earlier editions (1993, 97,98,99,2008,2010,2011,2012..), therefore, i can hardly say a word abut those.

Thoroughly a sensitive gentleman

Born in Hiroshima, Japan, in 1973, Tajima Shinji is a versatile writer, a sensitive gentleman, and presently chairman of his organisation ICLC (international Center for Literary and Culture), Tokyo. He is also a creater of literacy and educational materials in Asia. Detailed account of his achievements, is available on Weblink - http://d.hatena.ne.jp/keyword/Tajima Shinji

I shall write further about him & his writings shortly in my coming posts. Meanwhile, Thanks Mr Tajima Shinji for a short, but nice meeting.

Ramesh Tailang
+91 9211688748
rtailang@gmail.com