Ravikumar spent four years living with his family in Japan and China . Sent by his employer to further his knowledge of Asian business, what marked those years beyond the professional pursuits was a more nuanced understanding of Japanese and Chinese culture. Oriental Tunes is a recount of countless funny, fascinating, and surprising events that typified the life of the author and his family - and the life of many foreigners. Ravikumar uses these stories to bring to the reader several lesser-known aspects of these ancient civilisations.