“What drives someone to leave his country to learn the traditions of a centuries-old Japanese art form?

I’m Santhosh, and my journey took me from the bustling streets of Chennai to the heart of Tokyo, where I’ve become immersed in Rakugo – a traditional Japanese storytelling art that goes back over 300 years. I still marvel at the fact that stories written centuries ago are performed today and are still rich, still touching hearts.

Rakugo isn’t like any other performance. It’s a one-person show where the storyteller sits on stage, dressed in a kimono, with only a fan and a hand towel as props. Seated and seemingly static, the storyteller brings multiple characters to life through voice changes, expressions, and gestures. There’s no costume change, no elaborate set, yet the whole world of the story comes alive. It’s the skill of the rakugoka – the storyteller – to spark the audience’s imagination, and that’s what fascinated me from the very beginning. It’s a performance of imagination, where the rakugoka (storyteller) weaves humor and humanity, portraying a whole world without moving from that one spot.

My journey into Rakugo began in an unexpected way. During the Covid lockdown, I happened to meet a Japanese Rakugo artist who was stuck in India. He performed, and I was instantly drawn to the simplicity yet depth of the art form. Having spent a decade in storytelling, attending workshops, experimenting with structure, and always working towards that punch at the end of a tale, I felt Rakugo mirrored everything I loved about storytelling.

But Rakugo isn’t something you can learn online or by watching YouTube videos. It’s taught in the guru-shishya tradition, where a master accepts you as a student and trains you in the nuances. So, I moved to Tokyo, searching for a guru who would guide me. I was fortunate to find one who took me under his wing, and for the past two years, I’ve been on this incredible journey, performing Rakugo at various shows in Tokyo. I’m now the first Indian to become a Rakugo performer, introducing this art to India, a place where hardly anyone has heard of it.

What makes Rakugo so powerful even today? Despite its historical roots, it speaks to universal truths – of human emotion, humor, and mistakes- that remain relevant in any culture. Only about 1,000 to 2,000 people in Japan practice or know about it deeply, yet it’s incredibly relevant today. The stories speak of human emotions, mistakes, humor, and wisdom that transcend time. Learning from the past has taught me to see the present with clarity, to understand that laughter and lessons are timeless. This is why I’m passionate about bringing Rakugo to India, where I believe audiences would appreciate the humor, cultural exchange, and insights it offers.

This passion for sharing stories extends to my upcoming book, “Natsukashii.” This book is a collection of memories from my time in Japan, moments that shaped who I am today. One of the most defining experiences I’ve included in the book is my time in Tokyo during the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake. That earthquake shook not only the city but also my perspective on life. The raw power of nature, the resilience of people, and the delicate balance of life became more apparent to me in those moments. It was a life-changing experience that I felt needed to be shared.

With the help of Sid, who helped me turn my memories into words, and Sara, whose beautiful illustrations bring those words to life, “Natsukashii” became more than just a collection of stories. It became a tribute to Japan, to the art of storytelling, and to the journey that took me from Chennai to Tokyo.

I believe that knowing our history – whether it’s the stories of Rakugo or my own life experiences – helps us make sense of today. Through Rakugo and “Natsukashii,” I hope to bring a slice of Japan’s rich cultural legacy to India, sharing stories that make people laugh, think, and perhaps, see the world a little differently.”