2 cool Pictures

Indian Festival in Richmond VA



Flyer for OBAMA 2008 on a telephone pole downtown, after the Indian Festival (is this a local artist? it's awesome!!)

Update: According to Sean, the poster above is by David Choe! (see comments) wowsers.. he's amazing!

Happy Diwali 2008!!!

(Above: the legendary Bollywood actress, Rekha!) UPDATE: here's a beautiful website dedicated to Rekha-ji! - www.Rekhathediva.com

Diwali Ke Bahut Bahut Shubkamnayen!!

read about Diwali here and here

Amitabh is still recuperating from illness this holiday, as well as the loss of his dear mother this year.. which he spoke about during the concert in NY. - So , best wishes to Big B, Amit-ji, this Diwali!!!

Also, much love and many blessings to all my friends who have shown support for my musical events this past year - you have all made me realize how important making people happy is and i couldn't have made it through my own little struggles without your generosity and encouragement!! i wish you all the best this new year..

Bollywood movies released during Diwali

TV Star Shama SIkander demonstrates how Diwali is celebrated here

Diwali message from Barack Obama

This was sent to me by a good friend, originally in PDF format with Obama's signature, but Ive just copied the text below...

"October 24, 2008

Dear Friends,
Thank you for the opportunity to share a few thoughts with you as we near the night of Diwali. In the coming days, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and their friends of all faiths will gather across America and around the world to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Much has happened in the world since the last Diwali, and this is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the year past and rededicate ourselves to spreading peace and tolerance in the coming year.
Last year, I wrote that Diwali’s celebration of the triumph of illumination over ignorance had a special meaning for me. At that time, traveling across America and meeting people of every spiritual and ethnic background showed me that there’s much more that unites us than divides us. Now, one year later, I believe this even more strongly.
Americans, despite our varied backgrounds, believe that all people are created equal, and that each person should be free to practice or not practice religion as they choose. These beliefs have faced challenges at home and abroad throughout history, but they are the beliefs our nation was founded on, and we always return to them.
If I’m elected President of the United States, I will work to renew America’s moral leadership in the world. This is our time to create change, and I believe that we can and must continue the fight against ignorance and intolerance. I hope you enjoy your celebration and renew your commitment to overcoming ignorance. I wish you all the best for a joyous Diwali.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama"

Thomas Mapfumo - legendary Zimbabwean musician - performs at UR Modlin Center

Thomas Mapfumo (center) and band gave a special invite only talk at UR's Booker Music Hall today before the big show this evening....

They'll be performing Friday and Saturday night at the UR Modlin Center in Richmond VA

INFORMATION and TICKETS HERE

Thomas Mapfumo (video from the 90's) - Moyo Wangu



Official Thomas Mapfumo myspace page

Rainbow Arabia - Playing THIS SUNDAY at the TRIPLE

PODCAST LINK


They'll be playing at the Triple on Sunday and also, stopping by to make a guest appearance on. .

"If Music Could Talk" - 7-9pm EST Sundays on www.wrir.org 97.3FM Richmond Independent Radio

check it out

Bollywood Night featured in Richmond Magazine !!

The new issue of Richmond Magazine is out now -It's called "The GLOBAL issue" this month.. it's filled with some very engaging stories about refugees, immigration, and other modern international issues.. as well as reviews on local "international" restaurants, artists, writers, community leaders etc.. they also happened to write a short article about Bollywood Night - a dj event that I've been doing every month for about 8 months now (which has become a huge and unexpected success thanks to all the cool folks who show up to dance all night).

the bonus is...the author blogged part of the email I sent him- -I wanted to give him a little informal "Youtube" introduction to Bollywood films.. some of my favorites.. and he kindly posted the whole email on their blog..

check that out HERE

Oh, and it's official, Bollywood Night at Cous Cous is the second Saturday of every month-- starting in December.

Thanks to everyone at Richmond magazine for writing this little article-- Its really gratifying that this event has been so well recieved.

If Music Could Talk Oct 19 2008

PODCAST LINK

two Awesome Bollywood Blogs

Here's one that'll fill up your drive really fast... "Music From the Third Floor" (the links are inside the post comments )

and here's an AWESOME site i found on the site mentioned above.... "Memsaab Story"

these bloggers have obviously worked very hard to bring you these priceless samples of bollywood brilliance.. and they've covered SO much territory.. still.. there is always so much more to uncover... the thrill of bollywood is endless

check these sites often!!!

If Music Could Talk Oct 12 2008

PODCAST LINK

If Music Could Talk Oct 5 2008

PODCAST LINK

BOLLYWOOD NIGHT October 11th at Cous Cous!

Happy Birthday to Amitabh Bachchan - Oct 11, 2008

Happy Birthday to Amitabh Bachchan - Oct 11, 2008

Sara Zamana - Yarana


Suhaag


Mahaan Trailer


Mahaan


Sholay Part 1 (59 minute Youtube clip!!)


Namak Halaal


Bombay to Goa (one of Amitabh's first hits!)


Amitabh jumps from an EGG in Amak Akbar and Anthony

http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=uYEM7rgVpP8

2008- Jhoom Barabar Jhoom

some "new" clips of classic OLD SCHOOL DANCEHALL sessions

1986 Stereo Mars, PNP Rally - Tenor Saw



Tenor Saw, Burro Banton, Cutty Ranks, Supercat live 1985


1986 Stereo Mars, PNP Rally - Yami Bolo, Ricky Tuffy


Stereomars - Skateland 86


Josey Wales Charlie Chaplin Brigadier Jerry Roots Radics pt1



Josey Wales Charlie Chaplin Brigadier Jerry Roots Radics pt2

Bollywood Strike ends favorably for workers

read more here

Bollywood on Strike!!!!!!!

From Hindustan Times: "Bollywood is on strike after thousands of workers stayed away on Tuesday, demanding better wages. Leaders of two main producers’ bodies — with 10,000 members — met workers’ leaders on Thursday, with no progress"

Article in TIME

video from BBC

Even Big B and Shahrukh Khan are backing the strike..

If Music Could Talk , September 28, 2008 - jammin the airwaves with ecclectica

PODCAST LINK

lots of cool music, bizarre/hilarious samples from a Rock History LP, some newer Hip Hop, and etc

If Music Could Talk, September 21 2008, a short interview with Ray Manzarek, and lots of music by the Doors

PODCAST LINK

a short interview with Ray Manzarek, and lots of music by the Doors, plus new tracks by Aterciopelados from the forthcoming album Rio

( file recorded at 112kbs mono, and as usual.. sounds fine! )