Class Issues

"I really hate how I HAVE to go the débutante ball because I'm a slutty hotel heiress. I mean I'd rather see Biff's band play".

"Yeah that blows".

Class boundaries really suck don't they? At least most of us don't have to deal with the such hardships. But you can learn a lot from those who have.

In the upcoming film Vanaja, director Rajnesh Domalpalli takes moviegoers on a thought provoking voyage through social barriers, sex, and the second-class status of women in rural India. Vanaja centers around story of the feisty 14-year-old Vanaja, played by Mamatha Bhukya. Vanaja has her heart set on dancing Kuchipudi professionally, but as the lower class daughter of a drunk fisherman Vanaja has a hurdle of obstacles to overcome. However the plucky girl soon takes a job with the local landlady, Rama Devi, in the hopes of learning dance from her mentor. Along the way she meets Shekar, Rama's beefcake politician son several years her senior, who may just be her downfall.

Written as part of director Rajnesh's student film project at Columbia University soon became a labor of love as the director took to Andhra Pradesh to make a feature film. Deciding to forgo theatrics for a more natural feel, Rajnesh decided to cast locals in the film. Yes you heard right. In fact prior to filming, lead actress Mamatha, had never acted or danced in her life. Which makes the film's success that much more amazing. The film has bagged scores of awards at various festivals including, Best Feature, Best Actress, Best Narrative, and Best Debut and garnered rave reviews from the New York Times and Variety.

Pretty impressive for a student film, huh?

Vanaja, now playing in selected theaters. www.vanajathefilm.com

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.

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

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.

Summer Nights

Two heads are better than one. Or in this case 4 really awesome performers in one night are better than one. Yeah something like that.

Tonight at the Levitt Pavillion in Pasadena, CA, the Taal Dance Company will be performing alongside some of the biggest names in the biz, including DJ Cheb I Sabbah, Riffat Sultana, and Gingger. It’s enough to make our little hearts burst with excitement! Here’s a little rundown in case you’ve been, um living in a cave.

Cheb I Sabbah, DJ virtuoso, has been mixing it up for over 20 years, blending African, Asian, and Arabic music to create his own eclectic sound. Over the span of his career, he has released 9 albums including “Krishna Lila” and “Maha Maya”. Up next is an Kirtan album due later this year featuring the various religions of India.

The Pakistani folk artist Riffat Sultana, the first female singer in her illustrious family (she is the daughter of Ustad Salamat Ali), braved family and societal restrictions to prove herself as a talented performer. In between pushing the boundaries for women and giving kick-ass concerts, she records and collaborates with the likes of Quincy Jones and of course Cheb I Sabbah.

Violinist, singer, model, and all-around fab girl, Gingger, has collaborated with all sorts of artists including Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins to name a few. And oh yeah, she just happened to be one of the artists featured in the score to “The Passion of the Christ”.

Last but certainly, not least, is the Taal Dance Company. The fusion (yes there’s that word again), dance troupe combines traditional Indian elements with modern Western styles, often set to electronic South Asian beats. The company has performed everywhere from the Getty Museum to a Pepsi commercial with Christina Aguilera.

Phew! If that isn’t enough to get your cultural appetite going, you might need to have your pulse checked.

Did we mention it’s free? You can thank us later.

Levitt Pavilion, 87 N. Raymond Street, Pasadena, CA. www.levittpavilionpasadena.org