Japanese art of storytelling, Rakugo, comes to Chennai
'Every Rakugo story builds up to a strong climax punchline called ochi which is the soul of the performance. The stories themselves are often passed down for generations. While most Rakugo are comic in nature, there are also ghost stories (Kaidanbanashi) and emotional narratives (Ninjobanashi),' says Santhosh.
His discovery of Rakugo was accidental. While living in Bengaluru five years ago, he happened to attend an event by a Japanese storyteller who couldn't speak a word of English. The performance was entirely in Japanese, a language Santhosh barely knew. Yet, he was fascinated. 'I couldn't understand anything, but I fell in love with it,' he says. That led him to read more, and discover Rakugo being performed in English in Japan. He eventually shifted to Tokyo, where he now lives and works as an IT engineer while learning the art on the side.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Hulk Hogan death: From lucky red underwear to Marvel deal - 7 mind-blowing facts about iconic wrestler
Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, died on July 24 at the age of 71 due to cardiac arrest in Clearwater, Florida. Hogan was more than just a wrestler—he was a cultural icon who reshaped the wrestling industry and remained a pop culture staple for decades. As fans around the world mourn his passing, here are seven incredible and lesser-known facts about the man behind the bandana. 1. He Wasn't Always Hulk Hogan Hulk Hogan was born Terry Gene Bollea in Augusta, Georgia, and raised in Tampa, Florida. Long before the world knew him as a wrestling superstar, he had dreams of making it big in music. He played bass guitar in several rock bands in Florida and even gained some recognition with a local group called 'Ruckus.' His size and charisma caught the attention of wrestling promoters, eventually leading to his transformation into 'Hulk Hogan.' The name was a strategic creation—'Hulk' came after he appeared on a talk show with actor Lou Ferrigno and was noticed to be bigger in size, while 'Hogan' was added by wrestling promoter Vincent J. McMahon to appeal to Irish-American audiences. Interestingly, Hogan did not legally change his name for years and continued to sign documents as Terry Bollea well into his career. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category CXO Others Product Management Design Thinking Healthcare Data Science Operations Management Digital Marketing Cybersecurity Project Management others Public Policy MCA Technology Data Science PGDM healthcare Leadership Degree Artificial Intelligence Management Data Analytics Finance MBA Skills you'll gain: Technology Strategy & Innovation Emerging Technologies & Digital Transformation Leadership in Technology Management Cybersecurity & Risk Management Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business ISB Chief Technology Officer Starts on Jun 28, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Customer-Centricity & Brand Strategy Product Marketing, Distribution, & Analytics Digital Strategies & Innovation Skills Leadership Insights & AI Integration Expertise Duration: 10 Months IIM Kozhikode IIMK Chief Marketing and Growth Officer Starts on Apr 7, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Digital Strategy Development Expertise Emerging Technologies & Digital Trends Data-driven Decision Making Leadership in the Digital Age Duration: 40 Weeks Indian School of Business ISB Chief Digital Officer Starts on Jun 30, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Operations Strategy for Business Excellence Organizational Transformation Corporate Communication & Crisis Management Capstone Project Presentation Duration: 11 Months IIM Lucknow Chief Operations Officer Programme Starts on Jun 30, 2024 Get Details 2. Had A Different Finisher in Japan While Hulk Hogan is globally known for finishing matches with his famous leg drop, that wasn't always the case—especially during his time wrestling in Japan. In Japanese wrestling promotions, Hogan would often use a move called the 'Axe Bomber,' a clothesline-style maneuver, as his actual finisher, with the leg drop serving only as a setup move. This difference in style highlighted how he adapted his performance based on audience expectations. His Japanese fans even gave him the nickname 'Ichiban,' which means 'Number One,' reflecting the respect he earned overseas for his versatility and showmanship. 3. A Driving Force Behind Wrestling's Global Explosion Hulk Hogan played a central role in transforming wrestling from a regional attraction into a mainstream global spectacle. He was the face of WWE 's first WrestleMania in 1985, a high-stakes event that changed how wrestling was marketed and consumed. Hogan's larger-than-life personality, combined with his crossover appeal, helped bring wrestling into American living rooms. A defining moment in his career—and in wrestling history—occurred in 1987 at WrestleMania III, when he bodyslammed the 500-pound André the Giant in front of a record-setting crowd of more than 93,000 fans at the Pontiac Silverdome. That moment became symbolic of professional wrestling's evolution into big-ticket entertainment. 4. Helped WCW Beat WWE in Ratings—for Over a Year After dominating the wrestling world with WWE, Hogan made a surprising move to rival promotion WCW in the 1990s. There, he underwent one of the most shocking character transformations in wrestling history by turning heel—becoming a villain—and forming the New World Order (nWo) alongside Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. Shedding his heroic image, Hogan adopted the 'Hollywood Hogan' persona, complete with black gear and a defiant attitude. This reinvention helped WCW overtake WWE in TV ratings for 83 straight weeks, a feat that reshaped the competitive landscape of wrestling. The nWo storyline remains one of the most influential angles in wrestling history. 5. Marvel Technically Owned His Name for 20 Years In an unusual business twist, the name 'Hulk Hogan' was tied to a licensing deal with Marvel Comics. As per CinemaBlend, in 1984, WWE and Marvel agreed that Hogan could use the 'Hulk' name, but only under certain conditions. Marvel retained the rights and received 0.009% of all Hulk Hogan-branded merchandise as part of the agreement. The contract also prohibited WWE from using the word 'Incredible' in any of Hogan's branding to avoid confusion with Marvel's character, The Incredible Hulk. The deal lasted for 20 years and is a unique example of how intellectual property shaped Hogan's branding and earnings during his peak. 6. Survived Plane Crashes—and Credited His Underwear Hogan was known not only for his ring presence but also for his quirky superstitions. One of his most talked-about beliefs was tied to a specific pair of red underwear, which he wore every time he flew. As per a Sportskeeda report, Hogan believed these underwear brought him good luck, and he wore them religiously during air travel. He once credited them with saving his life after surviving not one, but two plane crashes. While it may sound strange, this odd superstition reflects the deep need for control and routine that performers often develop while navigating unpredictable schedules and high-risk lifestyles. 7. Took Down Gawker—and Changed Media Privacy Laws In 2016, Hogan was at the center of a major legal battle that made headlines across the U.S. He sued Gawker Media after the outlet published an unauthorized and explicit video of him with a friend's wife, claiming a violation of his privacy. The court agreed, awarding Hogan a staggering $140 million in damages. The verdict was so financially damaging that Gawker Media was forced to shut down. The case had wide-ranging implications, sparking national conversations about privacy, consent, and journalistic ethics. It also marked one of the most significant victories for a celebrity in a privacy lawsuit. Remembering a Wrestling Titan Hulk Hogan's life was filled with both triumphs and controversies, from breaking attendance records and selling out arenas to dealing with addiction, scandals, and public criticism. Despite the ups and downs, he remained a central figure in American pop culture for over four decades. WWE, in a statement posted on social media, called him one of the most recognizable personalities in pop culture history and credited him with helping the company gain international fame in the 1980s.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Hulk Hogan dies at 71: 10 lesser-known facts about the wrestling icon who defined a generation
Wrestling has lost one of its most legendary figures. Hulk Hogan , born Terry Gene Bollea , died on July 24, 2025, at the age of 71, of cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. From WrestleMania headliner to reality TV star, Hogan's influence extended far beyond the ring. To honor his memory, here are ten truly surprising facts about the man who created Hulkamania . Hulk Hogan is best known for revolutionizing wrestling, but he also made an impact in music, film, and television. Beyond his iconic persona, these lesser-known facts reveal more about the man who rose to prominence in pop culture. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Healthcare Design Thinking Public Policy MBA Data Science Data Science Leadership Degree CXO Management Operations Management Others Data Analytics others Technology MCA Artificial Intelligence Product Management Cybersecurity Finance Digital Marketing Project Management PGDM healthcare Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis in Healthcare Financial Management & Investing Strategic Management in Healthcare Process Design & Analysis Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Certificate Program in Healthcare Management Starts on Jun 13, 2024 Get Details A lot of people only know Hogan for his famous bandana and 24-inch pythons, or for slamming André the Giant. But there is a lot more to him than that. Here are 10 surprising and little-known facts about the man who helped make WWE's golden age what it was. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gentle Japanese hair growth method for men and women's scalp Hair's Rich Learn More Undo Before he became a wrestler, he played bass in a rock band. Wrestlers Jack and Gerald Brisco found him because of his band, Ruckus, which was popular in the Tampa Bay area. He once said no to dying his hair red. Vince McMahon Sr. wanted him to change his hair color, but Hogan kept his famous blond look. This was one of many times he went against the grain. He left the University of South Florida to focus on music full-time, but then wrestling became his calling. He had Italian, Panamanian, Scottish, and French roots, which is something that people often forget about when they think of him as "All-American." He was baptized at Indian Rocks Baptist Church in December 2023, which was a spiritual change for him just two years before he died. In 1977, he had his first wrestling match against Brian Blair. At first, he even wrestled under a mask as "The Super Destroyer." He played Thunderlips in Rocky III (1982), which was a big break for him in Hollywood and made him more than just a wrestler. In 1985, he co-hosted Saturday Night Live with Mr. T. This made him even more popular with the general public. He once sued Gawker Media and won an unbelievable $115 million over a leaked private video. This case set a new standard in media privacy law. He started his own beer brand, Real American Beer, in 2024. This was a nod to his patriotic wrestling persona and his desire to be an entrepreneur. ALSO READ: Celebrity deaths this week: From Malcolm-Jamal Warner to Ozzy Osbourne to Hulk Hogan - here are the stars world lost Live Events Hulk Hogan's last WWE appearance was in 2025, when Raw debuted on Netflix, but his impact will never go away. WWE honored the man who led the company through the boom years of the 1980s with a heartfelt statement. "One of pop culture's most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan's family, friends, and fans," they posted. Hulk Hogan was more than just a wrestler; he was a phenomenon. He made a lasting mark on pop culture by body-slamming giants and starring in cult classics. FAQs What was Hulk Hogan's real name? His real name was Terry Gene Bollea. How did Hulk Hogan die? He passed away from cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida.
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Manipur, his tortured, mesmerising muse
The one engagement of the many that I had with Ratan Thiyam that had history revolving around it was on October 30, 1984. I recall sitting with Ratan at a shoddy restaurant in Bhubaneswar, as we together translated into English his song 'Dharamkshetra Kurukshetra', sung at the close of the prologue by the flagbearers in his play Chakravyuha, now considered a classic of modern Indian theatre. The play was scheduled to be staged the next evening at an East Zone Theatre Festival sponsored by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. I was part of a national jury asked to select from the lot one play, or maybe a couple at the most, for a national festival of young directors to be held at New Delhi a few months later. The performance needed a synopsis in English for the viewers, none of whom knew a word of Meiteilon (or Manipuri), a language that belongs to the Tibeto-Burman group and is radically different from the languages in the Indian mainstream. What else was radically different? The visuals: Ratan was an excellent painter and designer in his own right. The soundscape: with the dominance of cymbals, conch shells, and the single-string Manipuri lute pena. The rich dance movements: the delicate, slow movements of the Vaishnava raasa woven together (and clashing at the same time) with the rhythmed violence of the Kuki-Zo martial practices. This complex presentation mode also told a complex story, reinterpreting the Hindu epic in a way that could not be conveyed in a summary of tight, compressed verbal text. Ratan had suggested that a translation of that one song, sung by the flagbearers in a war scene, could convey something of the complexity of meaning—for, at the end of it all, the play bodied forth and meant Manipur, as it was then (and worse now).
