Sit and Spin

"Droppin the bass with the beat of the bhangra a soni kuri asian queen rinsin the dhol for one and all. A cha drinkin, Tweed wearin hip hop to brit pop masala mix tape volume 1-and only Praise be to the magic of music and its musical magicians that allows our minds and souls to expand, beyond the boundaries of our lands. I got some airwaves and I come to you to find, your special sound to bring to new ears and minds."

Yep, just what we were thinking. Not really. But better pay attention because Komal Trivedi is going to make you stand up and listen.

Its not often that you get to hear Karmacy or Rishi Rich on the radio. Fortunately Komal is out to change all that. No longer relegated to the "international" station on a Saturday night, South Asian music is making an appearance on mainstream radio in the form of Komal's radio show "Bricklane Beats".

Although the Asian Underground is quite popular in London (duh), the dearth of Asian music Stateside inspired British-born Komal to start her own show. In her East London-Indian-Caribbean patois, Komal wakes up listeners with her infectious laugh and upbeat personality. Playing everything from Asha Bosle to Talvin Singh, to local rapper One Signata Nach, the DJ brings bhangra, Bollywood, and Asian electronica to the masses on Boston's radio station WZBC 90.3, airing Thursday mornings 7 am to 9 am.

Thankfully you don't have to live in Boston to enjoy "Bricklane Beats". Tune into the live stream on http://www.wzbc.org/listen.html and shake ya groove thang.

Hollllllaaaaaaaa!!!!

Komal Trivedi,
www.myspace.com/greenstreetgirl

For the Love of Art

Art-a-doodle-doo! Where would we be with out it?? Our lives would be gray, no beautifully carved temples in the south, no mogul paintings, David would still be encapsulated in stone, and tourists would have nothing to do on vacation.

So mark your calendars ladies and gents.

45 artists under one roof. For one week only. From August 29th to September 4th, the Henry Moore Gallery at the Royal College of Art in London, will present "Emerging India" a group show for up and coming artists. Focusing on new trends in the Indian art scene, the show will bring together artists from different parts of India, showcasing pieces in canvas, paper, photography, mixed media, and installations. For the fancier ones among us, you can even attend the private viewing and champagne reception on Friday August 31st, from 6-10pm.

Of course South Asian art has been around for thousands of years, but as India becomes more of a economic and political force, so does its art, music, and culture. And here's a chance to celebrate the best of the best new and fresh voices on the Indian contemporary art scene.

So work it out and get your butt over to the Royal College.

Henry Moore Gallery, The Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2EU, +44 (0)20 7590 4444

Hey Skinny!

Jeans feeling a little snug lately? Too many pakoras and not enough gym time? You’ve been caught red handed. But let’s face it. Working out can be a huge pain in the ass. Taking out time from a busy schedule to sweat your butt off on some boring stationary bike is hardly anyone’s idea of a good time.

So why not try working out desi-style? Of course, we all know about the benefits of yoga, but what about something a little more…upbeat?

In ”Dance of the Kama Sutra”, instructor Hemalayaa shows us how to connect to our feminine energies. Using the Kama Sutra as a basis for exercise (don’t worry it's all clean), the classically trained dancer and yogini takes viewers through slow sensual movements designed to unearth your inner temptress. In addition to creating workout DVDs, Hemalayaa crisscrosses the U.S. and Canada, teaching Bollywood dance and yoga classes to throngs of fans.

For those who want a "tamer" workout, Saira Jain, the “Indian Jane Fonda” and creator of the Masala Bhangra workout is still going strong after almost 10 years. A certified fitness instructor, combines the traditional Punjabi folk dance with a bad ass cardio workout. With classes at Crunch and NY Sports Club and a number of instructional DVDs available, fans of Masala Bhangra can get their fix anytime, anywhere.

Aspiring Sridevis, and Shah Rukhs take note, Bollywood Dance is taking the world by storm. In New York, Bollywood Axion offers classes in bhangra, garba, and filmi style dancing all under one roof. Out west, wannabe dancers can hone their hip shaking at Bollywood West in Colorado and at the NDM School of Dance in Artesia, CA. On the other side of the AtlanticEngland, that is), Bollywood Dreams, will get your get your heart beating “dhak dhak” in no time. (

Now there’s no excuse not to fit into those skinny jeans.

Laugh In

“When are you getting married, beta?”

"Uh, I dunno."

“When I was your age I had 3 kids and a medical degree!!!”

"That's nice mom."

You thought growing up desi was difficult enough. Try growing up as a queer desi. In…. India. Well sometimes you have to take the lemons and make lemonade. And that’s exactly what comedian Vidur Kapur does in his stand up routine.

Poking fun at experiences as diverse being mistaken as a terrorist to being a fashion victim in the gay mecca known as West Hollywood, and working as a corporate executive (he’s still desi, after all!), Vidur has been on a roll.

After being voted one of the top four comedians at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal, starring with Margaret Cho, Vidur became the subject of fellow desi Shalini Kantayya's three minute short film during week 3's project on the Steven Spielberg reality show, "On the Lot", bringing his humor to an even larger audience.

Up next? Laughing Out Loud at the Gotham Comedy Club August 23rd in New York with a special guest appearance by Shalini Kantayya.

You'll laugh so hard you'll pee. And that's a promise.

Vidur Kapur, "www.vidurkapur.com"

Coming to a Theater Near You

How many desis does it take to light up the silver screen?

This weekend 2 Bollywood stars are ready to rock your world in 2 very different movies.

In Marigold, director Willard Carroll brings his love for India and a foreigner’s viewpoint to the big screen. The story follows Marigold (Ali Larter), an American actress who becomes stranded in Goa shortly after arriving, when the low budget Hollywood movie she was working on got scrapped. Luckily for miss Marigold, she happens to land a role in a Bollywood movie where she catches the eye of the dreamy choreographer Prem (Salman Khan).

However this is Bollywood we’re talking about and the movie wouldn’t be true Bollywood without love triangles, musical interludes, and flashy multiple outfit dance numbers. To that end, it appears that the star crossed lovers are doomed from the get go as Prem is engaged and Marigold has a boyfriend who just happens to pay her a visit in Goa. Or…..are they? Let the nail biting begin!!

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Bollywood’s reigning princess Aishwarya stars in The Last Legion, an action adventure starring Sir Ben Kingsley and Colin Firth. No references to India, Bollywood, or dancing in this movie. What?! That’s right desis are finally starting to branch out into other non-Indian centric roles. Woo hoo!! In fact, the movie is set in the very non desi ancient Rome taking us through the beginnings of the King Arthur legend.

In the film, Romulus, the last emperor of the Roman Empire, escapes imprisonment by rebels aided by his teacher Ambrosinus (Sir Ben Kingsley) and the general Aurelius (Colin Firth). Accompanying the group is Byzantine warrior Mira, played by Aishwarya. Together they continue their mission to restore the empire.

Desis falling in love and saving the world. Sounds like all is right with the universe.

Marigold,
www.marigoldthefilm.com

Last Legion, www.lastlegion-movie.com

Happy Anniversary!

Israel and India together forever. How sweet.

To celebrate 15 years of India and Israel’s hot diplomatic love for each other the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, Israel, will play host to the “From India with Love” Festival.

Among the many highlights, Kavita Dwibedi, world renowned Odissi dancer, will perform several shows at the museum, from August 17^th- August 20^th. The dancing queen has toured all over the U.S. and Europe, performed at almost every major dance festival in India, and appeared on CNN and the Discovery Channel.

Purbayan Chaterjee, sitar player virtuoso, will also be on the bill performing during the festival. The talented Purbayan has been stringing away at the sitar since he was 4, winning the prestigious President of India award for best instrumentalist at age 14, and bringing his sweet sounds to various corners of the globe ever since.

Besides the requisite music and dance there will be art exhibitions, puppet shows and storytelling (for the kiddies) as well as guided tours.

Of course, no festival South Asian festival would be complete without a nod to Bollywood. To make sure that Bollywood is represented, several movie theaters in both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv will be showcasing a variety of crowd pleasers.

Here’s to fifteen more years of diplomacy and goodwill. In the words of the Beatles “All You Need is Love”.

The Israel Museum, www.imj.org.il

Jai Hind!

Woo hoo!! 60 years of independence from the Brits. Go team! Here’s a list of events around the globe commemorating the day.

New York: To commemorate the big day, the ubiquitous Aishwarya Rai will be immortalized at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum on August 15^th, making her the first Indian to be showcased in the New York location. Although Aishwarya will not be there in person, the unveiling will feature a Bollywood dance performance to celebrate the event. On Sunday August 19^th, Bollywood babe Priyanka Chopra will lead the parade as Grand Marshall with Johnny Lever as chief guest. The parade starts at noon heading north on Madison Avenue at 23^rd Street making its way up to 41^st.

Dallas: On Saturday the 18^th, Texans can celebrate independence at Anand Bazaar. With over 140 booths, the Anand Bazaar at Lone Star park, will feature arts and crafts, dance performances, a parade and fireworks (sparkles!) and of course deeeeeeelicious desi food.

Chicago: The India Day Parade will start on Devon Avenue on Sunday August 18 at 12 noon. Guests include Indian astronaut Sunita Williams, actress Mausmi Chaterjee. After the parade, revelers can look forward to a super festive mela at Warren Park.

Edinburgh: A day long festival of Indian dance, music, and food will take place at Ross Bandstand on August 18th. Revelers will see get to see a Kathakali dance extravaganza, watching as dancers perform traditional Hindu epics. In addition, Orkestra del Sol and the Drumaoban Highland Dancers will give a performance, while the Scottish-Indian Arts Forum will hold a Bhangra and ceilidh dance in front of the bandstand.

London: In addition to the numerous festivities as part of the India Now festival, the city also offers activities for the more intellectually minded. Until October 7^th, check out “The Countdown to Freedom” exhibit at the British Library. The exhibition includes newspapers, leaflets, posters, and other material, (much of it banned by the British at the time) relating to the Indian freedom movement.

Berlin: Until August 15th, celebrate all things Bollywood with the Bollywood at the Babylon Theater film fest. The movie theater will be featuring classics such as Umrao Jaan, as well as Hum Tum,Bunty aur Babli, and the debut of Guru, starring Abishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai or as we like to call them Abiwarya. And if all else fails, you can always crack open a Kingfisher, rent Gandhi and have your own little independence day celebration.

“You must be the change you want to see in the world”. – Mohandas “Mahatma” Gandhi

Cross Pollination

As most desis already know, India is not all monkeys and elephants, Bollywood and dancing girls. Here’s your chance to show all your non-desi friends everything India has to offer.

Starting today August 10^th, ICM (one of the top talent agencies in L.A.), MGLOBAL Trust, UCLA, and Artwallah, L.A.’s premier South Asian arts organization will present India Splendor, a distinctly unique festival focusing on the subcontinent’s contributions to arts, spirituality, technology, and business.

Some of the highlights include a screening of Shah Rukh’s new movie Chak De, a tribute to Raj Kapoor, a screening of Gandhi, followed by a Q & A with Sir Ben Kingsley, a Suneet Varma fashion show, and an interactive all day art workshop with various Indian artists where viewers will be able to watch the painters as they create. The resulting works will be sold by silent auction.

The 6-day festival, themed “Heritage, Holistic, and Hi-tech”, aims to show audiences a “vibrant new India” as well create collaborations between the L.A. and Mumbai film industries.

Hmmmm, does this mean Abishek might become the new Brad Pitt??

To buy tickets, visit www.indiasplendor.com

Bollywood Beats

“So what do you want to do this weekend?”

“I don’t know. I was thinking getting really dressed up, blow $200 on dinner and drinks at an overpriced restaurant/bar/club, while I have drunk guys hit on me.”

Wow, sounds super fun.

Here’s a better idea. DJ Rekha, innovator of all things desi and DJ related, is spinning for one night at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, NY, as part of Celebrate Brooklyn’s summer long festivities. DJ Rekha brings the ever popular Bollywood Disco to the park with Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin. For a mere $3 donation, revelers can enjoy Bollywood grooves in a gorgeous park under the stars. (Can we say date night?)

The woman, who was named best DJ in NY by New York Magazine and “one of the most influential South Asians” by Newsweek, still draws the crowds after 10 years as a DJ, with both Bollywood Disco and Basement Bhangra. And when she’s not too busy spinning, she might be lecturing at your local university or playing alongside Outkast and The Roots. Not too shabby for a Punjabi girl from Queens.

Of course if you’re not in NY, you can always buy DJ Rekha’s upcoming Basement Bhangra CD coming out this fall. An ipod, a little wine, a few samosas, and you can have your own little picnic in your local park.

Sure beats getting hit on by drunk guys.

DJ Rekha, www.myspace.com/djrekha Celebrate Brooklyn, www.celebratebrooklyn.org

Falu La La La

Pause. Rewind.

If you think you know fusion music think again. Or better yet don’t think, listen. With a voice to rival Lata’s, Falu seamlessly weaves classical Indian vocals with alt-pop/rock melodies to crowded venues all over New York.

The lady from Mumbai was trained as a classical singer studying with the likes of Ustad Sultan Khan, before moving to New York to start her self-titled band. Citing everyone from the Beatles to Kishori Amonkar as influences, Falu is an unexpected surprise in a sea of blah. In addition to performing with Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Project, she has also collaborated with Wyclef Jean for Angelina Jolie’s directorial debut A Place in Time and Karsh Kale among others.

To see her live is truly a gift, as Falu gives a fantastically electric performance every time. If you're in New York, you can catch her at the upcoming CD release party at the Canal Room on August 8th. And if you can’t see her live, (boo!) watch for her new self titled CD dropping August 7^th For a little preview, check out songs on her myspace page, www.myspace.com/falu.

If only all music sounded so sweet.

Falu, www.falumusic.com

The Desis are Coming!

Have you ever noticed how after someone becomes rich and famous suddenly everyone wants a piece of the action? Well India is no different.

As part of the mayor of London Ken Livingstone’s India Now celebration Trafalgar Square in London will host a festival of all things Indian. From now until the 19^th of August, you can catch specially commissioned performances by some of the leading dance South Asian artists, including dance, “Dreaming Now” by Akademi, theatre, “JUGGERNAUT Tara in the Sky” by Tara, and music by DJ Ritu.

And that’s not all, the India Now celebration which continues into September, also showcases native Indian wildlife at the London zoo, readings of Ramayana at the Wellcome library, tastings at Café Spice Namaste, and a Manish Arora exhibit at the Victoria and Albert museum.

The reason for the mayor’s interest in India? To strengthen India (can we say burgeoning superpower??) and London’s growing economic and cultural relationship while welcoming Indian companies and trade to the city. To help revelers out, Time Out has even produced a special 28 page special on India Now. How times have changed!

All this without the cost of flying to India. What more can you ask for?

For more details on the Trafalgar Square festival visit www.london.gov.uk. Performances are every Thursday and Friday night at 6 and 8pm respectively as well as Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 3pm.

Hit the Spot

When’s the last time you heard an American pop song fully sung in Hindi? We’re going to guess probably never.

Times sure are a’ changin’. L.A. based rock band, Goldspot (named after the Indian soda) will release their latest single “Friday” (from debut album Tally of the Yes Men) in both English and Hindi today August 6^th. To boot, “Friday” features the musical arrangements of none other than music composer extraordinaire AR Rahman. Nicely done.

The five piece band consists of lead singer Siddhartha Khosla, Ramy Antoun, Derek Horst, Seth McLan, and Sergio Andrade. Siddhartha, the first generation son of Punjabi parents, grew up in the desi mecca of New Jersey.

Fortunately, for us he left NJ for LA and joined a band. And ever since the band has been receiving rave reviews from critics and fans alike with their sweet melodies, the hypnotic vocals, and old school Bollywood influences. If you like Keane, Bright Eyes, The Smiths, or Modest Mouse, Goldspot is right up your alley.

Now that’s an alley we want to get lost in.

For more info and samples, visit their website, www.goldspot.net or their myspace site, www.myspace.com/goldspot