বাংলাদেশের সংস্কৃতি বিভিন্ন দিক দিয়েবৈচিত্র্যময় এবং আকর্ষণময়ী: মাসাহিকো তোগাওয়া

Abstract

Masahiko Togawa, a Japanese scholar based in Tokyo, has accomplished extensive anthropological research on Bangladeshi culture, focusing on folk traditions, shrine practices, and the viewpoints of Lalon Shah. In this interview with Saymon Zakaria, Togawa reflects on his journey of studying Bangladesh's rich and diverse cultural facets, particularly its shrine traditions and the unique religious harmony that characterizes many of its spiritual sites and the respective activities. Togawa discusses his experience at Lalon Shah's shrine in Kushtia, his immersion into Lalon's philosophy, and the profound impact these experiences had on his understanding of religious and cultural unity in Bangladesh. He highlights how Lalon's songs transcend religious boundaries and offer a universal memorandum, which inspired his deep engagement with Baul culture and Lalon's teachings. Togawa also shares his in-depth analytic insights into the growing interest in Baul culture among Japanese people, including his own students, and emphasizes the significance of cross-cultural exchange. His work, including the translation of Lalon's songs into Japanese, stands as a testament to his commitment to bridging cultures through scholarly and personal exploration. From the perspective of a Japanese researcher, the diverse cultural heritage of Bangladesh and the various field studies and analyses on it are clearly reflected in this interview.