Cultural identity is a funny thing, the way it changes and morphs over the course of a generation or two. I identify as American or Indian-American most of the time. My roots are firmly planted in American soil, I was born here and raised here, but I’m bilingual and brown and of indeterminate religion. Most… Read More Born in the USA, and borne from Bengal
When I first started seeing ads for IFC’s Bollywood Hero on the sides of NewYork City buses, I admit I cringed. I was instantly thinking of the travesty that was Mike Myers and The Love Guru, expecting something that would set my teeth on edge. But the two parts of this mini-series that I’ve seen… Read More From Hollywood zero to Bollywood hero
I’m always wary of picking up books that reference India and Indian heritage, especially romance novels. I mean, I have a huge pet peeve about the exotic as the erotic, and half-Indian heroes, and have blogged about it in the past. Between that and the fact that it’s been a while since Mary Jo Putney… Read More Loving a Lost Lord, by Mary Jo Putney.
I was at the annual Big Apple Barbecue Block Party on Saturday, and, unfortunately, the weather wasn’t really conducive to getting my bbq love on. It fluctuated between rain and clouds, the air bearing a faint chill. But what was remarkable, unexpected, and so very New York, was a parade of Hare Krishnas and other… Read More Chariots of fire.
I had a major Bollywood music geek out last night, squeeing my way through the iTunes store. Ultimately, I only bought seven songs, but the joy was so heady I felt like I was cleaning out the whole collection. It’s truly wonderful, how affected I am by this music. I have a connection to it… Read More Gaata rahe mera dil…aur mera wallet.
I finally got around to seeing writer/director Nagesh Kukunoor’s acclaimed 2006 film Dor, and while I’m not familiar with Kukonoor’s other works (Iqbal, Hydrabad Blues), this is one movie I won’t soon forget. Stunning visuals of Rajesthan and Himachal Pradesh set the backdrop for two equally stunning and unique female characters, Meera (Ayesha Takia), and… Read More Common threads: girl power, Dor and Fire.
I’m happy to say that I have graduated from the “Pasta ala Mala” school of throwing together Ragu sauces and Starkist tuna and actually delved into being a little more desi in my cooking attempts. This came about because I had a bunch of jasmine rice in the cabinet from when my mom visited last… Read More Every once in a while I experience a culinary triumph.
badnecklace.com 