Noboru Karashima , the distinguished Tamil scholar and historian of South Asia, Passed away in Tokyo on November 26. He was 82.
His research has rewritten the economic and social history of medieval South India and had published
number of writings on them. He also had played a critical role in developing Indo-Japan cultural ties.
Karashima's Career and earlier life
- Noboru Karashima was Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo and Taisho University.
- His use of statistical techniques to distil information from a mass of inscriptions was his seminal contribution to South Indian history.
- Professor Karashima was instrumental in setting up the International Association of Tamil Research, and had been its president from 1989 to 2010.
- He was the principal organiser of the 8th World Tamil Conference in Thanjavur in 1995. He also was the president of the Japan Association for South Asian Studies from 1996 to 2000.
- Publications: He has written numerous books on South Indian History.His last major book is A Concise History of South India, published last year.
- Awards and Honours: He is recipient of the Padma Shri (2013) for his contributions in building India-Japan ties. Also was awarded with Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize (1995), Japan Academy Prize (2003).