Avatar - beautiful animation, but is it just another story about a white man saving the natives?

SPOILER ALERT -- dont read this if you plan to see the film - or dont care if some of the plot is given away...

Avatar was exquisitely crafted in every technical aspect.. and very creative in it's analogy of nature based spirituality on an alien planet... but i started to cringe when i realized the story line was quickly adding up to just another "white man saves the day" film... in my humble opinion, this is yet another retelling of the false fable of Pocohantas from the perspective of the oppressor.. the science fiction enthusiast in me would love to just enjoy this movie for the amazing merits it does have - the inspiring artistry, the technical brilliance, the creative depiction of natural splendor on another planet, the beautiful, realistic characterization of computer animations, plus, the best part : seeing the belligerent, greedy, destructive humans, get stomped and sent home in the end.. I also enjoyed all the subtle references to our own disgraceful present day wars in Iraq and Afghanistan including the satirical and intentionally subversive Bush-isms spoken by the earth army general like "make no mistake" , fight terror with terror, "shock and awe" and "lets roll" sprinkled throughout the dialogue of the film... I liked all of these aspects of the film.. not to mention that its just breathtakingly beautiful....
But.... i honestly cant fight off the feeling that its just another Dances with Wolves, "white man goes native" film - the white guy becomes "one of them" - supposedly shedding his outside oppressor role.. becomes accepted.. an insider.. but retains his sense of privilage by becoming their leader, marrying the king's daughter, showing the native men up at their own game, etc etc- and that is dangerous because it will be so appealing to children that we're just passing on that same old value to them. What am i talking about? What is all this "Lib'ral PC rubbish" i'm spewing? I think this blogger said it best-- but i warn you, this is a total spoiler review : When Will White People Stop Making Movies Like "Avatar"?

Dont get me wrong, I really enjoyed the film.. I would like to see it in 3-D, as I only saw the 2-D.. I just wish it hadnt been so close to all the other films and fables that twist the story of horrific genocide of native people, and simultaneous destruction of their environment and attempted erasure of culture into a fairy tale that makes the white man look like the hero. (That's so 1-D)

Jingle Bell -punjabi tadka - by Underdog Animation for Nick INDIA

this rocks.. all the way

If Music Could Talk - Dec 20, 2009

PODCAST LINK

Hijab Style - Jakarta Fashion Week 09 (November)

(designer: Ida Royani)


(designer: Dian Pelangi)

found this cool blog, Hijab Style, looking for music by classic Indonesian pop singer Ida Rojani -- she could be the same person who's designing some of these fabulous styles from this past year's Jakarta Fashion Week... but it's spelled Ida Royani there (see bottom of page)

here's more of her designs

Another noteworthy designer of this show was Dian Pelangi - read about her here..
here's an interesting interview with the young fashion design prodigy herself

Bollywood Night - Dec 19th!!!

Start the holiday season off right!!

Bollywood Night!!

If Music Could Talk - Dec 13, 2009

PODCAST LINK

new Sade song!! Soldier of Love - album out Feb 8, 2010

(looks like Sony is trying to keep this off of Youtube so we'll see how long it lasts.. the first version was nixed already... if this vid goes out, click below to watch it from her site)



info here

If Music Could Talk - Dec 6, 2009

PODCAST from Sunday December 6 .. "Singapore garage rock & psych pop, Funky Soul, new Indian dance tracks, and a holiday song or two"

Art Karma - This THURSDAY at Plant Zero!!!

Im participating in this benefit event...



from the ART 180 website :

"Art Karma 2009 has Arrived! Art Karma, our annual fundraiser and "good karma" party, takes place December 3 from 7-10 p.m. at Plant Zero. This year we’ll be featuring an extensive silent auction with artwork created or produced in Virginia, as well as services, gift certificates and talent offered by local folks — everything from theatre tickets to fly-casting lessons. Plus exotic food from local restaurants and global music by WRIR 97.3 DJ’s [Charles Williams aka DJ Greybeard, and Me, DJ Carlito!] , creative things to see and do, and a cash bar featuring Virginia wines, Richbrau beer, and Karmatinis made with Cirrus Vodka.

While the karma theme suggests exotic lands, this event champions homegrown talent and community generosity. Proceeds from the event will be used to fund ART 180’s after-school programs in creative expression for young people in challenging circumstances.

weekly rant article here

Admission is $25 at the door, or $40/couple. Children free. "

get tickets

Deepika Padukone's dimples

i honestly felt they deserved at least one dedicated blog post... i will try to control myself in the future.. sorry, i just watched Love Aaj Kal

If Music Could Talk - Nov 28, 2009

PODCAST LINK

Video footage and interviews from "Chinese Underground Invasion" show at the Triple in Richmond

I did these interviews for my radio show on WRIR , but i decided to post the video here also because they're such cool clips.. truth be told, i was a pretty bad interviewer because i knew very little about these groups before i showed up that night, i decided to do the interviews at the last minute on a whim, and hadnt done the research i wish i had done to ask them more interesting questions... but they were nice enough to humor me with answers to my incredibly superficial ones. oh, theres one more on the way from Shou Wang of Carsick Cars too.. maybe next week. Thanks again to all the artists here for taking the time out to talk to me.

PK 14


CarSick Cars


Xiao He

If Music Could Talk - Nov 22, 2009

PODCAST LINK

Magritte museum opens in Brussels

MAGRITTE MUSEUM OPENS

when i was 3 or 4 years old there was this book of paintings by magritte that i used to love to look at.. i flipped through the pages so excitedly that i almost ripped one of the pages once.. the one with the big green apple on it.. i liked the one with the train coming out of the fireplace too... and the naked lady on the beach with fins.. and the flying business men.. no wonder i grew up a little strange..

ice caps ... melting ...

scary...

Cool illustration blog

Lots of great pop art , illustration, design, and cartoon imagery here..

DRAWN!



above - artist/cartoonist Alberto Mieglo

If Music Could Talk - Nov 15, 2009 - old school Chinese POP (last week's show - PART 1)

If Music Could Talk - Nov 15 09 - Chinese Underground vs Chinese pop

- starting out with some old school chinese go-go surf rock, then some disco, then some 80s new wave sounds (PART 1)

PODCAST LINK

( continues w/ Part 2)

If Music Could Talk - Nov 15, 2009 - Chinese Punk (Last Week's show PART 2) Bands from Beijing in Richmond

If Music Could Talk - Nov 15 09 - Chinese Underground vs Chinese pop

an hour set featuring music and interviews with punk/indie bands from Beijing - PK 14, Carsick Cars, and Xiao He after their show here in Richmond (at the Triple) last Thursday (PART 2)

PODCAST LINK

Cool Blog about Classic Chinese Cinema

Soft Film: Vintage Chinese Cinema

Jesus Lizard in DC - 9:30 club -11/19/09- photos from last night

more photos from last night's show here

Bollywood Night -Saturday... Nov 14, 2009!!

Happy Birthday to legendary Bollywood Actress Mala Sinha

Mala Sinha (born November 11, 1936)







more info here

If Music Could Talk - Nov 8 , 2009

" Lets just go somewhere, anywhere!! "

PODCAST

Dick Dale's Miserlou adapted for Bollywood film soundtrack : Kaminey - song "Dhan te nan" - and other popular songs riffing off this famous riff

i recognized it pretty quickly, maybe the second time i heard this hit song
Dhan te nan
but according to this cool and informative blog post echoes can also be heard in the Bollywood title cut for last year's CASH - and also, note for note in the Black Eyed Peas' "Pump it"


UPDATE ---
thanks to Anirudh for his explanation of the origins of this song... READ HIS ARTICLE HERE

also see comments for discussion of my recently alleged adaptations of this song

If Music Could Talk - Nov 1 , 2009

PODCAST LINK

If Music Could Talk - Oct 25 2009 - Murky, Moody, Spooky Music for the week before Halloween

PODCAST

BOLLYWOOD NIGHT in DC: Oct 24th at the Rock & Roll Hotel

We've been throwing parties in Richmond here for more than a year and they've been really fun.. now here's some really good news... Im Djing a Bollywood/Bhangra night at the Rock and Roll Hotel in DC on Oct 24th.

I need help promoting this, and i want to bring together as many different groups of people as possible together to celebrate that Bollywood / Bhangra energy.

please spread the word

bring all the Bollywood love you got and be ready to dance! hope to see you there.

DJ Semih meets up with Baba Zula in Turkey!!

My friend Semih is in Turkey right now (he grew up there - so he's got some musical connections) - apparently he just met up with the legendarily cool experimental sufi surf rock group Baba Zula during his travels.. and has invited Baba Zula to the village he's staying in for a private recording session!!!!! more information on that coming soon! Baba Zula is Cool!!!

If Music Could Talk - Oct 18 2009 - WRIR Fall Fundraiser 2009

PODCAST LINK - If Music Could Talk - Oct 18 2009
( WRIR Fall Fundraiser edition - lightly edited for listenability)

Happy Diwali 2009!!!

If Music Could Talk - Oct 11 2009 - get ya cultcha on

PODCAST LINK

technical note: i edited out some clumsy psa's and underwriting from this particular podcast but they were dutifully read live on the air

The Blisters' "Shortnin' Bread" has been updated so it doesnt sound so bad anymore....

BOLLYWOOD NIGHT: Oct 10, 2009 at Cous Cous in Richmond

If Music Could Talk - Oct 4 2009 - sound travellin'

PODCAST LINK

Dj Carlito- taking you on a musical trip to Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, India, Vietnam, Brasil and other places and spaces in between...

Some new(-ish) Bollywood Songs -and im now finally seeing the videos

Of all of these clips, ive only seen the complete film of "Dev D" - and that was a great film... looking forward to seeing the rest of them... also, i dont know if the Lehmber / Pooja Duet is from an actual movie -probably not... i think its just a cool video

and hey, .has anyone noticed how rough and raw some of these new films are? i swear, kids these days.... lol

( PS: please leave me a comment if any of these clips disappear from youtube and the link goes dead.. happens alot unfortunately.. )

Hadippa The Remix" - DIL BOLE HADIPPA


Kaminey - Dhan Te Nan .. the song with those lyrics that everyone is arguing about.. ; )


Love Mera Hit Actual Song in High Definition (Shah Rukh Khan & Deepika Padukone)


Lehmber Hussainpuri ft Miss Pooja- Mera Mahi Tu Pateya


Dev D - O Pardesi


Oye Lucky Lucky Oye (2008)

If Music Could Talk - Sep 27, 2009 - Birthday Tribute to Lata Mangeshkar

PODCAST LINK

Happy 80th Birthday Lata Mangeshkar ! (Sep 28)

Tune in this evening to "If Music Could Talk" on 97.3FM www.wrir.org for a special set of beautiful songs sung by Lata-ji from various film soundtracks.. (and thanks to Richard from Dances on the Footpath for reminding me!!)



" Bollywood wishes melody queen on 80th birthday (Sep 28 is Lata Mangeshkar's birthday)"

(Article source: IANS (Indian Asian News Service - also found here )

"Eight decades and 30,000 songs later her voice continues to inspire a nation. As Lata Mangeshkar turns 80 on Monday, Sep 28, everyone in Bollywood queued up to wish her.

The Bharat Ratna awardee, who has lent her voice to songs in over 20 Indian languages, is known for her quest for perfection and undying spirit.


From light classical music to film songs and from ghazals to bhajans and pop, she has sung a variety of numbers. Having worked with almost all top music composers and singers in the industry, Lata has also featured in the Guinness Book of Records from 1974 to 1991 for having made the most recordings in the world.


IANS spoke to members of Bollywood, who wished the queen of melody and prayed for her long and healthy life.


Yash Chopra: On the occasion of her 80th birthday, I would like to wish Lataji, who has had a long-lasting relationship with Yash Raj Films, happiness, happiness and more happiness with a sincere prayer that she remain forever young.


Karisma Kapoor: I would like to wish Lataji a very happy birthday. The songs that she has sung for my grandfather don't need any explanations. I just want to ask her: how does she still sing so melodiously even at this age?


Prasoon Joshi: My best wishes to Lataji on her birthday. I feel so fortunate that my entry in Bollywood was marked by a song sung by her. I wrote my first song for her, which was the title track of 'Lajja'. It was totally a dream come true. Then my luck again favoured me when I wrote 'Luka chhupi' for her in the film 'Rang De Basanti'. I feel extremely humbled to write songs for someone as great as her.


Kunal Kohli: What can one say about a living legend like Lataji and who am I to say something? I don't think a word has been created to describe her and her contribution to Hindi film music. My best wishes to her for a long and healthy life.


Mohit Chauhan: I give my heartiest congratulations to the melody queen. I wish more and more years added to her life. Since childhood I have been listening to her songs and she is still my favourite singer.


Sunidhi Chauhan: Words can't express what I feel about her. I only wish that she lives for ever and ever.


Kailash Kher: She is a goddess in human form. Whatever she has achieved till now and the way she sings even till today is just miraculous. A normal person can't do that. I won't call her just a singer; she is music to me. She is a blessing to the nation and all Indians should hope and pray for her long life and good health for many years to come. I wish her a long and healthy life.


Manoj Bajpayee: May she live and sing for another 1,000 years. I doubt we will ever have another Lataji. Her voice is a miracle of god. A very happy birthday to her.


Sukhwinder Singh: Lataji's is the voice of the millennium. She is truly an international artist and one of her own kind. For her birthday I just want to say that I hope she lives for 1,000 years.


Anand Raj Anand: A very happy birthday to a living legend - Lataji."



There's also a wonderful new book about Lata Mangeshkar which is in essence, an Autobiography, that is set to be released this week which i discovered on this site Lata Mangeshkar...In Her Own Voice "Conversations with Nasreen Munni Kabir"...

And here's the website of Niyogi Books where you can order it!

here's a great bio page with some great info about Lata's early years..

click here for last year's birthday blog post-- featuring some great youtube clips!

here's one of my favorites from Satyam Shivam Sundaram, sung by Lata


Bahon Mein Chale Aao - film: Anamika


CLICK HERE TO WATCH A BEAUTIFUL SONG COMPOSED BY MADAN MOHAN - Lag Ja Gale - Lata Mangeshkar

...and here's a charming and good humored classic from Chori Chori - Sawan Lakh Ki Lottery



(watch the complete film - Chori Chori - with subtitles - starring Raj Kapoor and Nargis - here )

FESTIVAL OF INDIA! - OCT 10, 2009 - RICHMOND CONVENTION CENTER!

CLICK PHOTO TO GO TO Festival of India WEBSITE

Smita Patil honored in special tribute, Rekha releases book about the legendary actress - written by Ms. Lalita Tamhane

From an article in Mid Day magazine- 09-24-09 ..


"Prateik Babbar (the late actress' son) will attend the documentary screening on his mom Smita Patil at the Dinanath Mangeshkar hall today. The event will pay a tribute to the late actress, and feature prominent filmmakers expressing their views on her work".



Prateik Babbar (Smita Patil's son - who bears a striking resemblance to his mother)


"Prateik will also be speaking at the event. Prateik is immensely proud of his mom's body of work and was involved behind the scenes in the creating of the show. Says a source close to the actor, "He is an introvert and hates talking in public events. He gets stage jitters, but this will be different. He is planning to talk about the influence of his mom on him."

Overwhelmed
The event will begin with a commentary and a slide show of images and stills from the actress' movies. Sachin Khedekar and Sonali Kulkarni will participate in the commentary. Then there will also be a section on her regional Marathi movies and songs. Prateik, who watched the rehearsals of the show, got extremely emotional while watching images of his mom on screen.

Prateik says, "I feel very overwhelmed. I just want to know as much as I can about her, as I really never knew her. It's an extremely emotional moment for me."

Big scale
The event will be interspersed with comments and discussion of Smita's movies with the audience. This is the first time a tribute has been organised on such a big scale. Talking about it, Smita's sister Manya says, "It's a multi media event which has rare clips and images from her movies. There will also be a group of singers who will cover some of her popular Marathi songs." Earlier in the week, a book on Smita's films was launched by actress Rekha."

see video clip of the event HERE

Rekha and Smita Patel were close friends, and Rekha actually presented the Filmfare Award for Best Actress to Smita Patil in 1981 for the film Chakra.




Below - a very young Smita Patil...





After I posted this article from Mid-Day, I read here that a new book has indeed been published about Smita Patil written by journalist Ms. Lalita Tamhane .. and released by the legendary actress, Rekha, at this event (thanks to MPS for the correction: "The book on Smita Patil is not written by Rekha, but by the film Journalist Ms. Lalita Tamhae. This is the 2nd and more detailed edition of the book. It was released by Rekha. There is NO documentary on Smita Patil, but a multimedia presentation broadly tracing her life, esp her professional life via film clips, songs and a live narration by Ms. Sonali Kulkarni and Sachin Khedekar." )





Now, of course, I must find a copy of this book for myself! Im so glad that Smita Patil is being remembered and that her important legacy is being carried on.

* I also truly hope that the party who owns the footage of the interview with Smita Patil from Indian television from 1985 will someday make it available legitimately.. And really.. why dont they make a movie about her? She deserves a full length documentary!


MORE PHOTOS OF THE EVENT HERE!!!

More info soon

Read a tribute to her written in 2005 just after her 50th birthday

Vintage Indian Advertisements featuring Bollywood stars

as mentioned yesterday when i blogged about SRK and other modern bollywood stars endorsing random products, this is nothing new.. Bollywood stars have been appearing in advertisements for ages... i found an awesome blog site that some great VINTAGE ads from India... and lots more.. check it out!!!!

HERE

Shahrukh Khan's many commercial endorsements...

I love seeing bollywood stars in advertisements ... it's a tradition that goes back as far as the "bollywood" film industry itself.... i'll probably upload some classic 70s endorsements later on (Zeenat, Rekha, Amitabh, etc) and there are lots from the 60s that i'm still collecting in a folder... it's just an interesting sideline from the films themselves... the stars faces pop up everywhere - (much as our stars do here, busses, billboards, soft drinks, etc) its just sort of curious to see how many different companies want Shahrukh Khan to be the face of their product... He's doing endorsements for watches, cell phones, soap, pens, printer cartridges, pepsi (campaign called Pepsi Youngistaan) , pomade, hair tonic, you name it...

I could probably do another whole posting for Aishwarya... And then there's Priyanka (also endorsing Tag Heuer watches above) , Bipasha, John Abraham, and Actress Deepika Padukone (also part of the Pepsi Youngistaan campaign)

here's a lovely wallpaper of the stunningly gorgeous Deepika Padukone (who co-starred with SRK in O.S.O.):

If Music Could Talk - Sep 20, 2009

If Music Could Talk - Sep 20 2009 - groovy sounds from Indonesia, and a cool dance mix with some chilled out intervals

PODCAST LINK

oh, and check out this Buraka Som Sistema video i you havent already...

If Music Could Talk - Sep 13, 2009

PODCAST LINK


Back from an inspiring, culturally charged trip to New York with lots of vibes and positive energy to channel through your speakers... boogie down y'all...

Bollywood Night - SEPTEMBER 12 2009!!!

this month's flyer courtesy of Chris Flynn

If Music Could Talk - Special Guest host: Mr. Felty

A Musical Trip with Mr. Felty on If Music Could Talk
PODCAST LINK

thanks again to Mr felty for an excellent show while I was in NY.

Dance Party with DJ Carlito at Baliceaux

If you havent checked out Balliceaux yet, this is a good reason to! Im Djing there on the 17th, and my aim is to get people dancing after they sample the delightful menu at this gorgeous new restaurant.

{{ flyer courtesy of C. Bopst }}

If Music Could Talk - Podcast Link- August 30 2009

PODCAST LINK

last night's musical journey was an irresistible mix of funky, swingin', soulful sounds from all around the world - let your ears be seduced... download, listen, enjoy!

If Music Could Talk - Podcast Link- August 23rd 2009- rockin on a Sunday at WRIR

PODCAST LINK

podcast from last night's show : some rockin funk, punk, dub, and other musical miscellania --

perfect to get you energized on a monday and rockin all week long!

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi - Ganapati Bappa Moriya!

Ganesha is the Deity of “Light”- ~*~*~*~ - He is Himself “Light”.

Sep 23rd 2009 marked the beginning of a ten day festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha

the festival is called Ganapati - or Ganesh Chaturthi




click the animated photo below!! Ganapati Bappa Moriya!



here is a cool website dedicated to Lord Ganesha

If Music Could Talk - Podcast Link- August 16th 2009 -music for Indian Independence Day, and more..

Indian Independence Day was celebrated this past weekend (Aug 15th.. since 1947)

PODCAST LINK

Shahrukh Khan gets detained at NY airport

this weekend SRK flew into New York to promote his new film, and take part in various Indian Independence Day celebrations...

apparently, they must have singled him out for his Muslim name.. they held him for questioning, searched his bags, wouldnt let him use his cell phone.. among several other "internationals" being held that day in security , one Pakistani individual even said something like "he's Shahrukh Khan!! I can vouch for him!" - the authorities (idiots!!!) wouldnt budge until the Indian Consulate finally intervened...

while some sources claimed "he's angry.. outraged!!".. another source (IBNlive) quoted him in a surprisingly down to earth and humble manner, dignantly downplaying the debacle :

When later asked during an interview whether he was angry, Khan responded that, "I did feel bad for a lot of people in that room, I know because I had an escort and someone would recognise me, I will get out. Others may face more trouble [...] I have extra security because of my name. I can handle this but when you have someone as respectable as an ex-president getting frisked, I am nobody" (in reference to the frisking of President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam earlier in the summer). Khan later stated that, "I think it is a procedure that needs to be followed. But it is an unfortunate procedure." When asked if he would demand an apology, Khan replied that he would not.

It just so happens, that Sharukh Khan, SRK, is also working on a new film dealing with this very issue. ( Its such a coincidence, that if somehow this whole thing is just a publicity stunt.. well that would be just wrong.)



"My Name Is Khan"

additional info on wikipedia


oh, here's a silly little video by a US based artist named FLASH called "Shahrukh Khan"


is it just my imagination or are they feeding him Nachos and Lays to make a play on the Hindi word for "dance" Nachle? (3:03)

Podcast - 8/9/09 - If Music Could Talk

PODCAST LINK

Bollywood Night - Aug 15th 2009 -- Indian Independence Day!!

Celebrating Indian Music and Film... and this month, 62 years of Indian Independence!!

note: this month Bollywood Night falls on the 3rd Saturday.. as opposed to the usual 2nd Saturday. Please pass it on to your friends!!