Double ka meetha

Is it really that bad that I don't know about "double ka meetha" ? After reading sepia's post on sweets I realized how much indian desserts have to offer and how little I know...
Let's see:

petha
laddoo (besan and motichoor)
barfi (kaaju and badaam)
rashogulla
sondesh
mishti doi
gulaab jamun
jalebi
kheer
soanpapdi
.
.
. OMG !!! gotta get some indian sweets .. what are the more obscure kinds?

The worst holiday ever!

I am in Scotland now. I haven't been on a holiday in a year and a half and this was supposed to be great because it is my husband's birthday and we had a lot of great plans! 

After having worked non-stop for months I was really looking forward to this vacation. This morning when we were leaving for the airport our suitcase got locked by mistake. It was a code lock and we had forgotten the code. Luckily we had a hammer and we broke the lock. Then we bought another lock and locked it again and left for the airport. On the air port after security check my husband realised he had lost his boarding pass and it also had out luggage identification tag. However, the airport authorities found it and gave it to us. Now, the flight was tiring as we hadn't slept in days because of the work load. I was soooo glad to land in Scotland. We went to the baggage claim... and guess what? Our bags were no where to be found. We went to the airport staff and we found that our baggage was left back in Birmingham. Actually, that's what they said but they weren't sure as they said it could be lost as well. Anyway, they said if its there it will be with us in three hours and they would call us. They dint! When I rang them all they could say was there is still no sign of your bags!

Its my husband's birthday in 2 hours and I am so depressed. I do not want to upset him but I can help it I am so pissed off and sad! :( 

[ ACTOR P.O.V IX ] In the era of Slumdog

Bollywood today is known to be more than just a name derived from the dubious contortion of it's western counterpart. Now inspiring western directors to take up projects in India with local talent, bollywood has begun to more than just carve a niche... it is breaking into the mainstream. Although bollywood actors have appeared in western films for 2 or more decades (e.g., Amrish Puri, Irfan Khan, Om Puri, etc) current bollywoodmania is a result of bollywood moving forward relying on its own talents. Recent Oscar nominations snagged by bollywood films such as Lagaan and Water, and daring launch of movies centered on the indian experience (Namesake) has caused audiences to look east and forced them to shake it to the addictive rhythms, yea literally, click here .
(Foreign actors seeking bollywood opportunities ?? no joke!)

What I have been recently part of, has proved to me that infact bollywood has arrived. I am currently helping out with production tasks, such as gathering costumes, props, assisting with puppet making and publicity for a production called "The Great Puppet Bollywood Extravaganza!" yep!! that's right.... bollywood with puppets and even better as it is an improv show! Improv a 2 hour bollywood musical by a cast of actors who have had a lot of homework comprising of watching bollywood movies, dance numbers, songs, common bollywood names.

I have been impressed by the research, which involved understanding the basic plot line of a bollywood movie, what always has to happen? what never happens? It meant field trips to the Naz Cinema to watch Sharukh khan shake it along with 20 supermodelish backup dancers, rehearsals included rigorous dance warmups, scene work, understanding the emotional range depicted by bollywood where the concept of subtext is thrown out the window.
Not to mention the puppets show off the crafty and innovative talent.

So if you cannot get enough of bollywood or have yet to be bitten by the bug ... what better experience than a cozy little theatre in San Francisco, next door to the Union Square.

Opening Night : Nov 28th 8pm.
facebook event link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=34330403538

Obama: the town in japan

I discussed my election time jitters with my japanese coworker, who attempted to pacify my anxiety by stating "don wolly ... obama orso town in japaa, bhen obama win plimaly... obama peopre sing and dalce ... obama!! obama!!"

he ain't lyin >> http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUST8454820080305

Bikram Yoga

Like a friend mentioned... it's love-hate with Bikram. I was enthusiastic about the classes and then I learned all about its makers' desperation for building it up as McYoga... Then I was bothered.
Here's what I have liked and what makes me skeptical:

I do like the sweating, as a person who does not easily sweat, it's exhilirating to watch a puddle form around me.. gross I know. I let the heat seep in, here, more than once I have noticed the power of focus. I watch only my body in the mirror and I follow each movement closely, somehow doing that intently causes me to be in the asan. My mind does more work than my body. As though I have caused the mind to move the body.

Existing in that heat (110F) does not bother me but it does not keep me from constantly thinking about what is changing in my body physiologically? There is no freedom to change the routines, instructors must follow the book, each word.. "marriage of the heart and lungs", "opens up like a flower"... loses its effect very quickly. Now, some instructors can narrate well even while keeping the fast pace, while others are too rushed.

Currently, it's a drop-in state, would be super neat to see a research on how the body reacts to a workout like this. What happens inside? What happens long after?

Vice presidential debate mind paralysis

Or perhaps I should just say Presidential Elections 08' ... this time.. this whole process, campaigning and debating.. is all mind fuck for those of us who are searching for all the vital reasons to support a candidate.. rather than the redundant and useless qualities gathered by the majority of the media

I am eager about the vp debate tomorrow. Somewhere on the tubes (as Ted Stevens refers to the internet). I've come across many viewpoints about what is to be expected.... the common lot contains ,
Biden will make Palin cry like a baby and
then there was,
Palin had set herself with such low expectations that she will be phenomenal during the VP debates tomorrow....
and then
Biden is getting coaching on how not to be mean to Palin cuz that would upset women voters
Palin is weak cuz she actually supported one of Obama's viewpoints during Couric's interview about handling Pakistan

So I'm getting confused since what I'm gathering from all this is,
Biden is a mean guy who should focus on not being mean to Palin because she is a woman.
Palin should not support Obama's views because only he is entitled to have them.

The factors that have brought us this far in these campaigns and that will take these campaigns to the elections are entirely lost on me...It seems as though the American public manages to ride on a serious, practical thought process that does impact the country .. but only for a short while, and then as soon as we get closer to primaries or debates ... we resort to redundant comparisons and discussions about redundant qualities, tactics that these prospective leaders have or portray.

Isn't Palin and everyone else well versed with the notion that Biden can be quiet direct with his speech? Shouldn't she be prepared to handle it then? Why is it a topic of discussion? If this is a matter of concern for us then perhaps we should think of a debate between Palin and Hugo Chavez.

Why is it problematic that Palin seemed to have adopted a viewpoint that was originally laid out by Obama? Is it so that once Obama takes a position on a certain issue it is his alone? Wouldn't it be better to discuss HOW their reasons differ even though they take the same stance?

Please someone point me to the reasonable discussions that I hope are taking place somewhere on the tubes and not the useless chatter that hounds the media or perhaps is being promoted by some media outlets to cause this mega mind fuck

[ ACTOR P.O.V VIII ] My Rehearsal Rules

The rehearsal process can become frustrating and Over the course of rehearsals for stage, I have found the following set of rules to be extra helpful. I make sure I remind myself of these each time I step into a rehearsal.

Respect people's time

Show up on time, that doesn't mean 30 mins after or 5 mins after, that means whatever time it takes you to get to the rehearsals and warm up and be ready to work at the time stated. I hate it when people stroll in while mouthing their excuses and waste more time justifying what happened.

Also, leave on time. Some people take advantage of people's time thinking "Oh I would go on all night with the rehearsal" too bad, you hopefully have a life. And when you succomb to such demands.. you are not following the schedule and you are giving out the message that it is ok to be unprepared till the last minute and by then we can just make up for everything we should have done by ridiculous rehearsal times. If you were suppose to leave by 10pm, you leave by 10pm. If things are really heating up, stuff's getting done, tell the stage manager or director at 9:30 or 9:45 that you are scheduled to leave at 10pm that way they will know how to coordinate. Bottom line, if you show up on time and leave on time you declare by that simple action that you mean business in terms of committment.

We've been given 2 ears and 1 mouth, use them in that ratio.

Listen more than talk. With a large ensemble it is important to follow this constantly. There is no way to emphasize this enough. Just do it.

Keep your suggestions and ideas to yourself during rehearsal.

Sometimes a director may have a lot on their plate, if they are performing as well, they might feel stalled in making observations quickly and providing sound creative input right at the moment. That doesn't mean actors and others start telling them what should be done and how something can be made better. Shut up people.. just let the person think for a second. If you feel something else should be considered try reaching them during a break or email them or call them.. but for God sakes don't interrupt them during rehearsal. Especially in dance, don't ever tell the choreographer how it is suppose to look.. trust me it's only gonna end up making you look like a jerk and not help the rehearsal at all. If you have to get the baby out then the least you can do is ask for permission to suggest or express your beliefs.

Do not tell another artist how to perform or initiate a conversation about what YOU think of their performance

When we rehearse, we are experimenting, we are artists are making ourselves vulnerable and trying out things that may make us look good or bad.. the last thing we want is another artist telling us why it didn't work or why it did. . unless you ask them.. their is no reason they should be vocalizing their opinions.. again, director is there for a reason.

Overall, rehearsal is suppose to be about more than just blocking and learning lines.. infact if you are gonna learn your lines during rehearsals might as well not bother... rehearsal is about discovery, about materializing your vision with bodies and actions. When I say vision, it is not the actor's vision.. no sorry... it is the director's vision.. I know that sounds kinda weird but seriously.. that's what the director is for.. if you as an actor have a vision discuss it with the director, ask for permission to show what you have in mind, if it involves changing other actors' blocking ask them for permission too. Now, in some skills rehearsal is just practice for example, stage combat if you don't know much about it, then you rehearse to perfect a routine. Sometimes in dance you rehearse to get something right together as a group. So rehearsals in different areas can mean different things. It's a good idea to discuss with the director what they want their rehearsals to be about. Do they want collaboration if yes, how? All this work prior to rehearsal will make it beneficial for all.

Geometrical analysis of Bollywood coupling

Face it you have drawn it all in your head. It's time we drew it out and revisit the common combinations and explore the possibilities from here on.

Your basic line segment

i) BOY --------------------> GIRL
ii) BOY <------------------- GIRL Nothing to see here, simplified into: iii) BOY <---------------------> GIRL

Now, the next step

iv) GIRL----------->BOY--------->GIRL
v) BOY------------>GIRL--------->BOY

most commonly misrepresented as a "love triangle". To those who casually use that term.. I would like to remind them that a triangle is indeed closed. In which case, we would find ourself with

vii). GIRL <----> GIRL from iv)
or
viii). BOY <-----> BOY from v)

Here we find that adhering to the geometric properties of a triangle.. brings forth the homogeneous nature of this state. In such a case.. a homogeneous relationship is suggested, so by the book we should be exploring vii). and viii). Yet, bollywood has steered itself clear from these premises ... while the novice viewer leisurely goes about declaring any trio as a "love triangle" once again I repeat GET YOUR GEOMETRY RIGHT!!!

ix).

A common case that makes for many comedic flicks out there ... the arrows depicting a chase. Diagonal additions to this will be pointing to a future with homogeneous states.

An unexplored pattern would be the circle. Where the arrow begins and ends with the same subject, suggesting self-love or flicks that conclude with the protagonist finding satisfaction within themselves rather than in another individual. A pattern hardly seen in Bollywood...to its credit, not fully embraced in Hollywood either... after all Carrie Bradshaw does end up with Big following i).

Feel free to add onto other visible and unexplored patterns/shapes.

UPDATE (12:49 pm Aug 18) OK I take back whatever I said about Bollywood's reluctance of homogeneous territory, check it out > http://www.musicindiaonline.com/n/i/hindi/9972/

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA!

[ ACTOR P.O.V VII ] Mataji and when I read 'Begone Godmen'

It was the time when I found myself standing in the temple in a long queue with my mom holding a flask of milk. I should've been in school instead I was there at the temple on my mother's command.. we were to go feed the milk to Lord Ganesha's idol as it was discovered earlier in the day that Lord Ganesh has miraculously began drinking milk .. and not just the idols but even the ones in the lockets hanging from people's neck. It was the time when I happened to see a lot of a guy named "Chandraswami" on TV claiming to posses immortality, he would appear in a religious outfit and a staff with a crystal ball on it ... he would claim fortelling the future, people would speak of his powers of healing... Chandraswami is now facing several trials for many of the scams that follow such characters.

It was this time, less than a decade ago that I helped myself to "Begone Godmen" a book from my father's reading collection. Curious to reaffirm the fact that we were simply being fooled by such figures I was happy to find my sanity restored as I indulged in Abraham T. Kovoor's encounters of Godmen and Godwomen around India and Sri Lanka.

He who does not allow his miracles to be investigated is a crook,
he who does not have the courage to investigate a miracle is gullible,
and he who is prepared to believe without verification is a fool.
- Dr Abraham T. Kovoor -

Like a detective he solved each case of a 'ghosts', 'magic', 'miracle',etc. chapter after chapter, with use of logic and scientific explanations. Kovoor had seen it all, ghosts, saints, shamans, godmen, etc. A Yale graduate Kovoor continually challenged any ghosts and Godmen to deal with him, he was ready to go through any ordeal to show how logic and reasoning prevails.

Kovoor did more than just solve the mystery, when possible he dug deeper to find out what in the person's life brought them to this stage. This caught my attention more than the tactics that unraveled the tricks. Kovoor often discovered common themes in the psychosis of these figures, the presence of all kinds of abuse, physical, psychological and sexual.

These figures whose disciples painted them as entities as untainted as the purest drop of elixir, strongest as the vigor of lightening, compassionate with overflowing forgiveness and powers of healing all calamities in the common man, were in fact broken, lost, defeated and most troubled among their own followers, only they had learned to hide it well and succumb to deceit.

I am excited about an upcoming production by Naatak that has caused me to reminisce and revisit the revelations put forth by Kovoor.

'Mataji' is Naatak's telling of what lies behind the mask of one such demigod and what happens when the mask is removed in the most unexpected of circumstances. While one might laugh at the specific exaggerations the play presents as it dvelves into the capabilities and powers of it's heroine 'Mataji (mother)', many might find it ironical that often worse is believed and fabricated to create such charlatans in the real world. 'Mataji' examines where the demigod stand in dealings of their own human emotions and adversities. The play portrays desperation experienced by both, the forces that feed the so-called 'phenomenon' and masses that feel the need for the 'phenomenon'.

From the playwright Sujit Saraf:

Mataji, born on the banks of the Ganga, has a simple gift to offer to the
world: a loving hug. Over two decades, she has travelled to sixty-five
countries, hugging thousands of devotees in one sitting, sending them into
raptures through the transmission of pure bliss that accompanies her hugs.
Her followers on five continents regard her as Krishna incarnate. Then, on
her sixteenth visit to California, she confronts a devotee she cannot
satisfy. Through him, she discovers much about her powers, and the world
discovers much about her.

Related Stories :
Interview with playwright Sujit Saraf
When the hugging mother is confronted. Click here

For more information on the play:
====================================================================


MATAJI
A play in English
Written and directed by Sujit Saraf (http://www.sujitsaraf.com)
Produced by Sunil Ganu

SHOW TIMES AND LOCATIONS
Cubberley Theatre
4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto
July 26 - 3 pm
July 26 - 6:30 pm
July 27 - 5 pm
August 1 - 8 pm

NOHspace
2840 Mariposa Street, San Francisco
August 2 - 7 pm
August 3 - 3 pm
August 3 - 6 pm

Front Row Theatre
17011 Bollinger-Canyon Road, San Ramon
August 9, 2008 - 5 pm
August 9, 2008 - 8 pm

BUY TICKETS
Until July 11, $15 general, $25 VIP
>From July 12, $20 general, $35 VIP
VIP tickets include preferential seating and complimentary refreshments.

Buy online at www.naatak.com
Or email tickets@naatak.com
Or call Asheesh, 949 394 8776

PLEASE NOTE
Children under 8 will be admitted ONLY to the July 27 show.
Child-tickets ($5 off the general price) are required for children under
8, including infants.
There are no VIP tickets for children under 8.
People accompanied by children will be asked to sit in "exit-friendly"
assigned seats.
While this is not a children's play, it does not contain language or
content inappropriate for children.
Proceeds of Naatak benefit non-profit organizations such as Asha, India
Literacy program, America India foundation, etc.

Naatak is a registered 501c(3) or ganization. For more information, visit
www.naatak.com.

[ ACTOR P.O.V VI ] Musical Theatre Conservatory

Tomorrow is a new day. I can't sleep, I'm nervous yet eagerly waiting. For next few weeks I will be in class for something I love, something I am passionate about. Next few weeks are gonna kick my ass and I can't wait. It's the beginning of the Summer Music Theatre Conservatory http://musictheatreconservatory.org . Let's read from the site:

"The Music Theatre Conservatory is an intensive, professional program of classes, rehearsal, and performance experience, offering training in the three disciplines of Music Theater: Acting, Singing, and Dance. The program is an educational/professional development project of Notre Dame de Namur University, offering college credit through the Department of Music and Vocal Arts, and Broadway By the Bay, an all-producing Bay Area professional musical theatre company. The core faculty and visiting master teachers are all established professionals with extensive resumes as performers, directors, and educators."

I remember around March I believe it was I saw the ad in the theatre bay area magazine and I thought man it would be great to do this program, to train for musical theatre. At this point, I'm feeling quiet comfortable with acting in general. I want to branch out try out other aspects of theatre. At this point, stuff like stage combat, miming, physical theatre, kabuki , etc., are adventures I want to pursue. I want to see performance through different aspects. I also apply to the San Francisco Mime Troupe and I consider applying to the ACT summer conservatory.

So I saw the ad in March when we were full swing with nautanki , which by the way I'm very proud of because it was yet another form of theatre, different from a simple play. So I decided I would get vocal lessons to prepare for theaudition. I put an ad on craigslist went through at least 3 dozen replies and finally I picked a coach and I am not disappointed in fact I am very lucky for someone who has tasted the professional world and who know what they are talking about and most of all someone who I can trust. April began lessons and within 3 weeks was the audition, this involved picking two songs... get the sheet music, get the accompaniment, get your audition practice, get your audition outfit, shoes and what not.

Audition day came. We started with the dance audition I was ready in my outfit clearly there are people far more experienced than I am, I somehow get through the routine and then comes the singing part. Change into dress for singing, get your music, sing, perform your monologue and then comes the part that I did not expect to be hard but was infact quiet testing. The interview. The questions they throw at you while you stand their unarmed on stage. How old are you? Will you able to invest time? Why do you want to join this program? Have you studied performing arts? For every single one I have nothing extraordinary to offer. I sum up with saying , I want to learn and train the right way. I want to acquire skills to make myself a better performer. I can sing I know that but I have not had considerable amount of formal training. I need to refine my dance skills, I feel very comfortable with my acting skills, but it is parts that I'm struggling with is what I want to improve and that this the program that will guide me in the right direction. I had overheard the other hopefuls answer to questions with following endings "oh .. so you toured with that?", "...was that a professional production?" I knew I hadn't offered material in my resume that required questions of that caliber. But this was an audition for a training program, they knew that right?

Weeks go by, I am hanging out with a bunch of friends who I know through my computer science classes.... we are chilling with the game called rock band. I ask for the mic since I would like to be the singer. They have never heard me sing before. Friend number 1 is on bass Friend number 2 on drums and I am singing to Roxanne from The Police. To everyone's surprise I have never heard this song before, I butcher it, I don't sing .. I pretty much scream the song till my friends beg me to stop.. it was my attempt to get out any frustrations I had felt as I had not heard back from the conservatory. I heard back from the San Francisco Mime Troupe, I was selected for that one.. I couldn't confirm what if, music theatre conservatory got back to me ? I couldn't say no to that. I would love to be involved with the Mime Troupe and I will some day but for some reason waiting for the music conservatory seemed like an intuitive decision. I answer my friends' request by setting the mic down. My sister calls..she speaks of a certain envelope that has arrived, I ask of its size.. it's big.. means good right? She opens and tells me the good news... I jump in joy I tell my friends that I am in I got accepted... they repeatedly ask me. .. "wait you are going to be training for musical theatre?" After listening to me howl.. they refuse to believe any of this ... they pass it as a joke.. I for one I'm ecstatic beyond belief.

And then this is today 40 mins before midnight, the day before the program begins, I am too excited to sleep. I have arranged everything, leotards and dance shoes and tights and sheet music and I'm ready. I am nervous but I can't wait.. coming this far has meant a lot. I want to make the most of the days ahead. It would be ideal to record each day here.

You are pregnant, You are on the BART, why won't you sit when someone offers you a seat!!

Yes, it's a long title. However, this is exactly what was going through my head 2 weeks ago during the tiring BART commute which used to be nap time for me before the BART started experiencing issues and Richmond trains were dropped from Fremont route. There was a mob of passengers standing in every coach, with dying hope of finding a seat. In the midst of this was a lady who was very visibly pregnant, she hops onto our coach and obviously a seated passenger begins to get up and offer her a seat, she refuses to sit.. huh? Another older lady does the same.. she refuses again with a smile.. I am baffled by this as we are being jerked around by the bumpy ride. I want to ask her.. what is the matter with you? It bothers me .. what is going on in her head? You may want to be strong and tough but you do realize there is baby in you.. a living being who is fragile , who is not going to benefit from the bumpy BART ride.

After learning of my confusion as to why the lady would happily refuse to take a seat, one of my good friend responds "but may be she was not pregnant" .. . I think about this ... but there was a visible baby bump on her.. we argue about this .. after a set of back-and-forths my friend sends me a picture of her acquaintance who she thought was pregnant and even called her so... only to hear not so pleasant words in a reply... the acquaintance was not pregnant .. she clearly looked pregnant... I refused to believe this .. until I saw the picture.. my friend suggested I blog about this .. get an opinion or something ... according to her I can use the picture freely on the internets as the girl in it will never learn to use a computer....regardless I have blurred the face .... and the shoes ....and the handbag.. sometimes you can tell with the handbag and all..

Most perfect song in the world??

Kabhi Kabhi mere dil mein... oops.. typo jee.. I mean, the song Kabhi Kabhi Aditi from Jaane to ya Jaane na can be deemed by me as the current most perfect song.

Everything about this song is great... When the singer goes 'haste haste haste...', oooh, sooo smooth.

I have a weird feeling that this was originally a Tamil song and the song was redone in Hindi (ex. Alaipayuthey --> Saathiya). True?

You listen to the song, and you just want to sway back and forth and back and forth. It's only 3:41 in length but is such bliss.. The last 41 seconds of the song are pretty much the same words being repeated in different variations and you just want to float. Every time I listen to the song, I feel like I'm sitting on a cloud and being lifted in the blueeee sky. cheesy eh? heckz yea!

One of my many favorite parts in the song is when the singer, Rashid Ali, goes 'everythinggg's gonna be ok'. The everythinggg's part has a Jamaican feel to it.. Download that song peeps. There's also some parts that has a ding-dong kind of a music. It's the cutest sounding thing.

Go Brown Go

Wow. Check out this wonderful beta who must've made his parents proud...

Akshay Rajagopal from Nebraska, 11-year old, won the National Geographic Geography Championship. "As he blitzed the competition, his family looked on from the front of the auditorium at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington. He boned up for several months by studying geography DVDs and textbooks." More details here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080521/ap_on_re_us/geography_bee

My daddy, on the other hand, always told me to focus more on 'Maths'. Anyway, before I teeter into my self stories, congrats Akshay!.





Well, my eyes would not have drawn as much attention to the article if the boy in the picture wasn't brown, carrying that big beautiful check, looking ever so cute in the direction of perhaps his parents, and siblings...



In other news, b-check b-out b-this b-video: http://www.hulu.com/watch/1792/saturday-night-live-bush-twins

Would you Walk Away?

Following incident happened over the weekend...

Couple of my friends and I went to a club/bar where a certain ethnic group were the majority in the crowd. My group of friends and I were probably the only ones that were not part of the majority ethnic group that was present at the club. Two of my friends stepped out for a bit, and while standing outside, they were called a very racial, derogatory term by a few people.

One of the friend's instant reaction was to punch that person in the face, but the other friend held back, calmed the friend down and both decided to leave the place immediately.

My question to you blogtopia is, would you also want to leave such a place immediately and walk away?

Or would you prove your point in another way, perhaps by sticking around to show that being labeled does not effect you. You paid for the service to enter the club, so don't you deserve to have a good time just like everyone else in there?

Would making a stand, not being phased out, and continuing to stay at the club make a stronger point? Or is walking away and avoiding other situations the answer?

Thanks.

Reason for a Lawsuit?

I never usually drink soda but was very excited to see the Transformers being advertised on Pepsi bottles again. So I decided to buy one at the cafeteria at work. Looky at the bottle..

After drinking about a 1/3 of it, I noticed the expiration date. Looky now:

The image is fuzzy thanks to my cheap ass cell phone camera. But if you can decipher the above picture, you will notice that the Pepsi actually expired on October 10, 2007. ewww. It expired 7 months ago but the cafeteria still had it in the refrigerator along with other beverages and other Pepsi bottles with Transformer pics on them. ewww. Blasphemous! Should I sue the company for not changing its the bottles regularly?

Oh, and the pepsi tasted normal. At least to me it did. It was still carbonated and all, but ewww.

And the government was trying to get rid of them....

click on image to read the full article

Related post : http://stopbywhenever.blogspot.com/2007/09/let-it-not-be-unnoticed.html

Multi-tasking a little too much

Ah the stories I hear at work...

Co-worker came up to my desk and narrated the following:
She was on her way to the bathroom and came across another co-worker who was apparently having an intense convo on the phone. Little did he realize that while he continued walking, and talking on the phone, he started to unzip his pants before even entering the bathroom. He was apparently 'still 10 feet away from the bathroom door!' claims astonished co-worker.

She didn't want to disclose the name of this guy. Damn corporate ethics!

KHUDA KAY LIYE--- A MUST WATCH MOVIE

khuda kay liye...meaning...4 d sake f god...
saw it yesterday...awsm movie...4 those who hvnt seen it, well ur missing smthng...

"wen ur in love wid a girl...its all heart, bt wen it cums 2 god....u reason"...........w/o a doubt d best line frm d movie....irrespectiv f dat dat a jackass fundamentalist, wid zilch knwlegde n who abhorrs music cos he wrongly perceives it 2 b anti-islamic, is sayin dat...

"kinne kinne jaana billo( allah ) de ghar..
asi bhi jaana billo(allah ) de ghar..."----its amazing dat a crude song metamorphs into divinity by replacing just a single linguistic thread...

reminds me f socrates...i think der4 i m...this movie defntly mks u think...
it questns ur ignorance...ur blind adherance...

furthrmr, cultures differ...interaction tks place.....assimilation happens...but stops short of integration....food for thot for NRIs n d like...

in case ur wondering as 2 y m i being so abstract n hv nt yet delved in2 d story, well dats cos i want u c it and decide 4 urself and personally, i dnt wanna b didactic here...

being an indian, der is smthng abt a scene dat i found offensive...
being a secular human being, d above becums even worse...
however, such historical inaccuracies notwithstandng....its commendabl dat such a movie came frm pakistan which is still battling on many corners...
hats off to mr mansoor....gr8 job sir..

finally.......i feel dat d partition was unjust to indians......v hv bn systematically robbed....god damn it.....women frm pakistan are just too beautiful......i dnt knw...im speechless...period!!!!!!!

Bollywood Tax Song

Cuz I was bored and a friend on IM mentioned, he won't be able to par-tay cuz hez gotta do his taxes y0... I created this bollywood tax song to motivate people to do their taxes (would love to shoot a video of this ... bollywood ishtyle)

tax kar ... tax karke . reLAX kar
apne papers fAX kar
phir tera statue banega ... museum WAX par
ho ho ho TAX Karrrrrrrrrr
chahe jitne evite ayein ... sab ko AXE kar
sirfffffff TAX kar ho ho hoooooooooooooooooooooooo TAX kar
sun yeh gana .. karke volume MAX par
ho ho hoooooooo TAX kar hooooooo
ho ho ho hooo TAAAX karrrrrRRRRrrrRRRRRRRR

what-EVVVVVVVAAAAAAAAH

[ ACTOR P.O.V V ] The raw and the rehearsed

Kinda late to post this and I wish I had written this before the actual performance. Anyhow. So last Friday I performed a piece in SF for a theatre group that auditions people by having them perform infront of a live audience. Yes that's right! I was given a script a few weeks back and told to memorize the lines and interpret it anyway I wish and come to the show and simply perform in front of live audience. I did exactly that, with a few blocking notes so I know where my reader is and I remain in the light.

What surprised me most was my reaction during the phone conversation with a company member on the phone... question posed... "are you up for it"? I said .. why the hell not? From that very moment I was excited about this.. the idea of all the things that could be done, that could be invented, that could go wrong... I was ready for the raw stage experience ... to be vulnerable.. to really tap into your craft.

I walk in the theatre, turns out there are many performances lined up for the night
More actors start to trickle in ... confident people, who upon learning of my purpose at the theatre that night respond "Oh you are the audtioneer... good luck!! you're gonna be great".
I am curious about how they have costumes on and more confident about what they are doing ... I find out that they have been rehearsing for weeks, it's just the first act , my act, that is not rehearsed, because I am auditioning ... of courseeeeeeeee!!! Why else would they be advertising all around town about their $15 show.. if all other acts were not rehearsed. and oh .. I'm up first!! ... Feels great to know that I'm opening with no rehearsal, only my lines and instinct and oh yea.. it's a comedic piece... not my forte but oh well... I cannot refuse that I am more excited than nervous... it's great to feel that I can do this.. how will it turn out to walk in on a stage and not know your every move.

People are getting ready, folding programs, going over their lines, everyone is helping out with getting the place ready, sound checks, tech stuff ......I didn't have my headshot like some other people so we all draw our faces (caricature) on a piece of paper and post it next to the professional headshots that other more responsible actors had produced. What better way to recognize me than by a cartoon version of moi... apparently there was a show happening next door, another theatre company. I have to write about their warm up... all performers are on stage before the show and are warming up with peculiar theatre warm ups that involve walking around the space, yelling and screaming and what not .. you know the good old .. theatre warm ups... but the one that really works for me is ... marching around screaming this

"DAMN SHIT MOTHERFUCKER, DAMN SHIT DAMN (2)...
SOME DAMN BITCH JUST STOLE MY MAN!!!
GOTTA FIND ANOTHER FUCKER
TO MAKE UP FOR THE OTHER FUCKER
DAMN SHIT MOTHERFUCKER DAMN SHIT DAMN"

continuously repeating that while walking in circles with increasing intensity really gets me ready for what's ahead... loved it!!! (piano fight.. don't sue me for revealing your warmup chant.. i love you guys)

Audience start walking in someone directs them to the correct door, I help with handing them a pencil and voting card... oh there is voting too..... The left door leads to the space where I'll be performing.

Show opens, I am relaxed, not nervous, I play with my gutt, it's exhilarating. It's comedy, so keep the pace, keep the flow, take chances, take risks... it lasted not more than 10 minutes but I'm happy I did it. My performance is followed by the rehearsed scenes written by local playwrights. Ranging from dramatically intense to hilarious.. each is very well written and performed. Each scene will be voted by the live audience and they shall pick two best ones to move on to the next round... performed next month perhaps, till they choose a winner, and that will be a play performed in full length.

All in all, this unique audition experience was a chance to reflect on my stage abilities. I have been told they are looking for actors for their upcoming round and will get back in touch with me if they have an opening for "rehearsed" pieces.

Company > http://www.pianofight.com/PianoFight.html
Production > http://www.pianofight.com/Theater/Entries/2008/3/30_ShortLived.html

?

AP reports that the new born baby has two noses, two lips and now the child is being considered as a hindu goddess ... What do you guys think?

[ ACTOR P.O.V IV ] Believing in your craft

This came up on the second night of our performance (Sultana Daku) we were praying and expressing our thoughts right before run, when an interesting point was made, people will have have different reactions based on their perceptions to what we offer on stage. We must not make hasty decisions, we must have faith in what we have worked on and believe in our craft. I think this is an important message for a show like ours where there is a certain way of doing things and it should be adhered to if we want to perform the art form the way it is meant to be. There are audiences that we have had and will have (March 29th show) , who are not familiar with true form of nautanki, who will be challenged and will react, but we must stay honest to what we have learned and portray it with artistic audacity. We cannot compromise the art for those who do not know about it. Who knows what they didn't necessarily agree with might cause them to learn more.

Pictures from the first two shows : Click Here
My previous post on Sultana Daku : Click Here

[ ACTOR P.O.V III ] Taking risks and exploring

It's on yahoo today, in case you didn't notice (click here). Needless to say that this is a production full of lavish sets, costumes and amazing talent.

But why is this really exciting? Because it screams exploration, it shows artistic risks and melding and mixes brought together by an artist from bollywood which we wouldn't expect. This brings me back to my previous post about our upcoming production of Sultana Daku (only 1 day left... woo hoo) I had mentioned that us Indians do not focus on preservation, we are busy bragging about our culture. I would say that Padmavati proves that there are individuals who can change that, who have the resources, artistic ability and power to change that.
(tried finding a better image, but oh well.. and yes I know! the elephant image is all over the web)

Padmavati is heavily influenced by the music of India, more so than any of Roussel’s works. Where he doesn’t use actual Hindu melodies, he uses Hindu scales extensively; these scales use different melodic intervals than in the West. Notice the “oriental” effect of these scales in the enchantingly ethereal song of the brahmin, describing Padmavati’s beauty

Padmavati marked an abrupt change of Roussel’s style, away from typically French manners and civility and toward classical forms, rhythmic power, powerful emotions, and even occasionally, a very un-Gallic ferocity.
(click to listen). (source: click here)

We have substance in our art forms that must not be lost, Roussel saw it, he captured it and I'm glad to say that an Indian, Sanjay Leela Bhansali brought it to stage. This will show and hopefully cause our talent to take risks and explore, in this manner. Here we see an indian artist showing indian art on a western stage, challenging western audiences to another dimension of art.

We have conformed to adapt our art to the west, we continously struggle to fit in that group, which is also a risk but I think there needs to be a well-formed approach to that. Here with Padmavati we are bringing forth our story, I'm hoping we will see many other stories, that otherwise seem to fade away, from India come to the center stage in the west.

I hope I get to see it, it's gonna take some hoping because looks like it will only be traveling to Italy, Brazil and India after the run in Paris. How can they miss San Francisco... come on people!!!!!

Oh.. the phonetics..

Is apple adopting monopolistic practices?

Ever since Apple made the SDK announcement for the iPhone app development, I've been pretty excited, for it presents enormous opportunities for the developers to develop some ground breaking apps; mainly because of the embedded accelerometer. I was so excited that I downloaded the SDK the first day it was made available, alas I can install it on a mac only. I am now waiting to learn Objective C 2.0 (suffice to say, a language that I did not like from early days of my programming career), so that gives an idea of how much I had been looking forward to the SDK.

But what I have not been happy about was revenue sharing with apple. The way the whole structure is setup, first off you need to sign up for apple's developer program for which you've to pay $99 (for standard) to $299 (for enterprise). $99 could be or could not be a big deal, depending on your financial situations. But that's just the first step. If you don't want to sign up for the developer program, you can only test your applications on the iPhone simulator and not the actual handset. So once you develop your application, it goes through a certification process and gets put on itunes store. Fine enough! But then is the most interesting part: Apple wants to take away 30% of the revenues you generate from selling your application on itunes. And my question is WHY?

1. By developing new applications that are in demand, developers are increasing iPhone sales in the market (Much more profitable for Apple since each iPhone is sold twice it's production cost). iPhone is a platform and platform doesn't make a device popular with consumer but only developers. Applications make the device popular with the consumer.
2. All applications developed at a production cost. Developers have a certain profit goal in mind as well. But since they now have to give 30% to Apple, some of that revenue sharing is going to get transferred to the consumer, making the applications marginally more expensive than they should be.
3. A developer has an option to develop a "free" app. In which case, obviously, apple doesn't get 30% share. But then what does the developer (mostly independent, high school, college kids) who develop iPhone application for fun? Why should they pay $99 to apple? Why should they face the loss of $99 when they are just giving away their hard work, creativity for free?
4. On the contrary, distributing applications for mac's is free. Why? Perhaps because Apple wants to gain more market share in that area. After several decades, they have just been able to capture a miniscule sixteen percent of the market share. But only in eight months iPhone already has around 25% market share. Apple is definitely taking advantage of their position in the market. Think of a world where you would have to share revenues with Microsoft for distributing applications for windows.
5. Let's say I just want to write an app for MYSELF ONLY!! Okay, I finished the app but I can't install it on my iPhone unless I pay 99$ to apple because I can only test it in simulator without paying 99$.


I see the fees for the developer program and the fact that every application has to go through the certification process and then through the iTunes store on 30% revenue sharing basis as a barrier to entry and hence I think Apple is adopting monopolistic behavior with the iPhone. What say you?

*UPDATE* : A friend sent me this news earlier this morning:

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200803132020DOWJONESDJONLINE001129_FORTUNE5.htm


I'm glad :)

FilmyFare.. Is it sad I enjoyed this awards show better than the Oscars?

Worst Dressed
Deepika Padukone - yea we understand, you used to model so hence the stoic expressions, but lady learn to put on more faces and better dresses!

Bipasha Basu - uhm.. dont' like the hair and the dress is too 80s junior high school prom.

Gauri Khan - your husband wears better makeup and clothes than you do.

Vidya Balan - I had no idea you were from kerala.. Anyway, outfit was waay too orange.

Hrithik and Akshay - Do NOT like the low cut undershirts. Too cleaveagey...

Best Saris
Tabu, Kareena and Karishma Kapoor wore the prettiest sarees of the night. Gorgeous!

The bois
Kunal Kapoor looked HOT.
Rajpal Yadav should be considered host the next time around.

Speeches
Darsheel Zafary - awwwwwwww!
Kareena - Thank god you kept it short.
Rishi Kapoor - way too loud... Microphones are supposed to make you sound loud already.. No yelling required.

Highlights
Bout between SRK, Saif and Akshay Kumar - classic!
Darsheel Zafary's speech... awwwwwwww! he's such a cutie pie!
The na-real awards... nice..
Karan the queen Johar being pushed off the stage by the other hosts.. LOVED the harassment... heehee

WTF
What was up with showing Twinkle Khanna, Neetu Singh and Neetu Singh's daughter over and over and over and over again? Anytime these people smiled, the cameras would be ON them.

And to the two hosts - we get it.. your intentions were to be crude and rude while hosting, which you pulled off.. brava.. But did you have to mention again and again about your beloved intentions? Annoying!

Umm.. excuse me, but Deepika getting nominated for the Best Actress award was bullshit! Did the Filmfare judging/jury people NOT get the idea that this chick cannot act!

Shah Rukh winning the best actor award - NOOO! Darsheel, you so deserve it more... sniff

Ok, Aamir, we get it... You dont' accept awards and yes Indian Awards show do have questionable credibility... (hello.. deepika being nominated proves the false credibility)... BUT, come on.. Darsheel showed up and YOU SHOULD HAVE TOO. WTF Aamir? You show up for the Oscars in 2000 when Lagaan was nominated and ditch the Filmfare awards? Oscars are just as lame foo..

Hrithik - Why the angry face? You did not have a smile on throughout.. Come on, some of the jodha akbar jokes that the hosts made were funny! Laugh!

Wayyyy Too cheesy.. Yea we know it's Bollywood.. But come on!
Saif giving the best actress award to Kareena.

The towel scene - the hosts were pushing it..

Rishi Kapoor's achievement award - uhm.. I personally feel he's a bit too young for this award.. but whatev.. And your Thank You speech Rishi, - could've probably trimmed out about 1000 pounds of cheesiness. We know you love your wifey, and your kids, and your nieces, and your grandpa, dad, uncles, aunts...

Performances
Vivek Oberoi - Awesome! You were totally into it.. unlike Deepika..

Kareena - didn't like the showgirl outfit, but your mauja performance was pretty kick ass... Just gain some weight...

Himesh - oh Himesh... What was up with you having the pre-recorded singing playing in the background? It was good seeing you without your cap though for those few seconds.

Akshay Kumar - eh.. I've seen better performances by you..

Comments made by mother and father through the show
"Where is the indianness in any of these performances, speeches and movies?"

"She has all that money... Why is she so skinny?" - On Kareena's performance.

"Where's Amitabh? And the family?!"

"Oh so THAT'S how Himesh looks without his cap"

"Look, no Aamir and no film clips of Taare Zameen Par." "Look, no Aamir and no film clips of Taare Zameen Par." "Look, no Aamir and no film clips of Taare Zameen Par." "Look, no Aamir and no film clips of Taare Zameen Par." - God I get it!

Sigh! I LOVE BOLLYWOOD!

Ultimate Sadness

So I read this story on engadget, one of my fav. blogs. Without further delay, here's the story:

<quote>

There's certainly been no shortage of sad stories involving Xboxes, but when it comes to attempts to get the console repaired, this latest tale from a gamer known only as Nathaniel might have to take the cake. As you can see above, his console (one of the first to hit the market) boasted a good deal of personalization, including signatures from folks at Bungie and the Xbox 360 team, and a spiffy illustration by Rooster Teeth Comics artist Luke McKay. As with many other Xbox users, however, Nathaniel's console eventually packed it in, and he was forced to send it to Microsoft for repairs. Needless to say, that's when things took a turn for the worse. Despite calling ahead of time and getting assurances that his prized console would be sent back intact, and including a letter reiterating how much the console meant to him, Microsoft apparently took it upon themselves to clean it as best they could before returning it, leaving only a few faint smudges of permanent marker to ensure that it was, in fact, the same Xbox. There's no word as to what Nathaniel plans to do next (other than weep), but given that Microsoft gave the royal treatment to someone that did nothing more than get a Zune tattoo, you'd think they could at least give the guy a few free points or something.

</quote>

Now how awfully sad it is that after all the efforts made by Nathan, Microsoft employees still did not see any sentimental value to this, erasing it all. I'd like you to think not in terms of XboX but perhaps consider your favorite sport or tv show or something. Now consider how important a shirt, piece of paper etc. etc. will be to you to have it signed by you idol in NFL or NBA and how would YOU feel to see it all destroyed by an outsider?

Lastly, I'd just add that if this was my console and got ruined like that by evil, cold, emotionless hands, I'd cry more than I cried for the one whose name shouldn't be said. Those who know her name, good, those who don't ... idk!! Yeah, i'd cry that much and hate microsoft more than I hate Sony and Yahoo combined.

Ok.. this is WTF Random!

I go to work yesterday and see this e-mail from bossjee:

Guys,

I got the jury duty notification... I called in and they're asking me to show up to court. Will have to leave work around 12.

Thanks,
Boss

Whee.. Bossjee was not around yesterday.. yippee.. After work,.. I went home and heard this..

Daddy: Can you believe it!? I had to show up to court today for Jury Duty AND I have to show up TOMORROW too. And it has only been less than a year since we turned citizens. How come mummy and you didn't get called in yet???

I go to work today and talk to boss..

Me: How was jury duty boss?
Boss: (frustrated groan).. I have to show up today also.
Me: hmm.. Weird so does my dad... Did you go to the court in so and so city?
Boss: Yes. Such a pain in the ass jury duty is..

I go home after work and what do I hear:

Daddy: Deepa, I ran into your boss today at the court. We had a nice little conversation about you. He's a very tall man isn't he...

WTF Randomness! Boss and Daddy had to get called on the same day for the same case and for the same court... I have used a lot of "hanging out with coworkers and boss (even though I'm really hanging out with others)" excuses to my parents.. Hopefully the nice little conversations during jury duty won't expose my tiny harmless fibs.. :o)

Kutiya won the oscar

Why would I say that? Cuz it sounded like it.. no I wouldn't have noticed that until my mom interjected right after the announcement

Announcer: "And the oscar goes to (Frenchis accent) Marion Coutillard/Kutiya"

Mom: "KYA!!! KUTIYA!!! WHAT!!"

At this point I realized I should have never asked her to switch to ABC even for the oscars.. she was doing fine with Zee TV :P

Congratulations to kutiya !!
She is an awesome actress no matter what.

*NOTE: Kutiya in hindi means female dog ... bitch

For other accounts of family members uttering obscenities .. click here

I LOVE Cashmere Mafia... ABC.. Do NOT cancel the show fools..

People,

There is a fear out there amongst Cashmere Mafia fans that the show is going to be canceled. They have had 7 episodes so far and each one of them is OMG Effing amazing!

So I urge you readers... to go see the show online.. Just click righhhhhtttt here, yes this link..: http://dynamic.abc.go.com/streaming/landing?lid=ABCCOMGlobalMenu&lpos=FEP

Now isn't the show just wonderfull?

For the boys, no it is NOT a girly show... absolutely noT... So get your manhood together, and attempt to save this show... Lookie, pretty girlies in the show.. whee

And aah.. More pretty girlies... Well, actually, they're the same girlies, except in more sexy wear... Oh oh oh ... AND guys, icing on cake.. theres lesbians in the show....

Heartfelt argument (in case I have not yet convinced you to watch the show): Not only is this show witty, it is amongst the few good shows out there that people can relate too.. well, not too much, but the characters do a lot of drinking, wear excellent clothes, and work really really hard in real time work environments on the show... And no, Lipstick Jungle is not that great.. I've not seen that show yet, and I dont' care to... I watch Cashmere Mafia, and I will NOT deal with the change of not having new episodes of that show in my life...

So people, Watch the goddamn show online and SPAM ABC with hate mail indicating that you WILL WILL detest them if they cancel this precious precious show...

Thanks,

Me

Don't go to the park ... in india .. if you are married

You might have to live through the misery again and this time not with your family and relatives but with your very own, happy marriage assurers... your very own Bajrang Dal... read it all here

"If they were married for four months, why did they meet in a park, under a tree on Valentine's Day?" - Bajrang Dal

So.. once again if you are married you can't be found in a park under a tree on Valentine's day... now go tell the married people .... before Bajrang Dal finds them

Random Convo.. Haven't had one of these in a while... This is how I pass time at work...

me: you're going to hollywood?
S: there is an audition for a bollywood thing
S: it's like a cattle call
me: excellent
me: i saw it on ur facebook that you're attending it
S: yea
me: obama seems to be doing well
S: yea ...
S: i just hope he can give specifics
S: in his speech
S: there is a lot of talk ... but then again they are politicians
me: exactly
me: well.. he's the lesser of two evils
me: i dont' want another bush-like person as a president
me: if that happens... CANADA
S: yep
S: I don't think McCain is a good choice
S: I actually think Huckabee might be better on War issues
S: but not ProLife stuff
me: mike peek-a-booo
S: yep
S: peekaboo
S: that's what I would call him
me: i like huckabee
S: if we ever debated
me: what,... you and peekaboo?
S: yea
S: debate about issues
S: i would be like... according to mike peekaboo
S: lol
S: and I'll get voted ..cuz it'll be cool
S: which one?
me: i umm... took a how creative are you test on facebook... and apparently, i'm a bucket of paint
S: you are a bucket of paint
me: thts' it
me: show's my creativity
S: well that
S: is creative
S: in a way .. cuz you've got paint
S: it's just in a bucket
me: it needs to be used
me: and since i'm not creative... it'll just stay there
S: lol
S: but it says you are .. lol
me: i dont' get it
S: is there a scale for that test
me: no idea
S: i see
me: maybe... my creativity is waiting to get out..
me: tht's what the bucket represents
me: couldn't see the details cuz facebook failed on me
S: yea
me: the send error report message popped up as soon as i saw the result..
me: and then IE closed..
S: it's a faulty app then
me: i love facebook quizzes

Seriously, I mean WTF Microsoft!!!

[ ACTOR P.O.V II ] Sultana Daku

I am currently taking part in a nautanki called Sultana Daku... now hold on a sec... for all Indians reading this... this nautanki is very different from the nautanki portrayed in Bollywood. I have to admit that I went into the auditions with a preconceived notion, thinking ...oh nautanki... funny stuff.. over dramatic / over comedic funny stuff....nope not at all... first off, you need to be able to sing.. and sing like.. up there sing ... like waaaay up there...and there are about 18 ways of singing ...at least in this production..behertabeel, sher, vaarta, qawwali , etc.. each time we have sat down for rehearsal, it has turned out to be more than just learning our parts and knowing what to do on stage.. it has been cultural enlightment. There are nuances and details and stories that are shared by the director who is well versed in nautanki... I was not aware that in my own family people had actually watched nautanki in villages and they had experiences that they reminisced when I talked about how I was in a nautanki... (generic reaction of some relatives in India : "Ok so you are in U.S. and you are performing nautanki, an indian folk art, there??") Being in this production has given me a chance to talk to my family about something new, something that I had no idea was a big part of their growing up, they have been telling me about stuff like.. how no one in the audience would know what nautanki was to be performed till the very last minute.. it was a suspense..and a nautanki would run all night so from 10pm all the way to 6am.. so how does that work? The script is only about 60 pages max.. so what happens is that sometimes the audience really like the way something is sung ... there are many encores.. a song is sung in many ways to please the crowd.. I picture it in my head and it's like..those scenes from Shakespeare in Love where the audience is as involved in the play on stage as the actors .. our nautanki in India was perhaps the same way... We may not have a globe theatre.. but it seems as though we did have the spirit and the enthusiam... there are many events and historical significances of nautanki that we discuss in rehearsal, and I am amazed to know that I didn't learn any of that in my indian history classes in india (1st std - 8th std). I am from a place where nautanki was and probably still is performed in its original form and my credibility of being from there was questioned when I was speechless during discussions... I felt deprived that I didn't know anything about all that ... but I'm glad that I am learning... I ended up asking my aunt in India and she talked about how my grandma had a whole nautanki memorized, somehow it occurs to me that all this should be preserved and kept alive... I hope I can do something about that...

Perspectives
I
So I'm also taking lessons for musical theatre singing and I told the teacher, that I'm in this Indian musical .. it's a nautanki..I told him to come check it out and then quickly I said.. um .. but it's in Hindi..you might not get the thing... we are passing out a synopsis or scene-by-scene summary... but you know it's in Hindi ... so you know... at this point my teacher tells me ... OH so it's like Opera...and I had an epiphany.....he carries on about how not even native italian speakers might understand the opera and what is specifically being said .. but it's about the performance and the singing and the soul of the whole performance... I have to say I was amazed at this interpretation ... it made me think of how... us Indians a lot of times brag about how ... we have so much culture and the west is deprived of a rich heritage like ours... and we brag and brag and brag ... but to no effect or any value ... because I have learned that the west has an enthusiasm and yearning to learn and adapt .. something I think we don't have... our nautanki director shared with us that a student from Berkeley, actually spent years with their family perfecting and learning this art... a foreigner, a westerner.. felt drawn to what we don't even recognize... we brag but in the end.. it's them who preserve and truly cherish...

II
For our rehearsals we were looking for musicians dholak and harmonium players... let me tell you.. for a nautanki you need to be somebody who is versatile as a musician who can read the movements and improvise and hit the beats at the right spot... a good foundation is required.. no questions asked... but there is more than that... you need to be present..so I emailed a few indian music institutions about how we are looking and perhaps you can join us... I received one particular reply that made me ... well let's just say .. think about many things.. It read something like this ... "We are very rigorous and serious in our classical training, please do not send us messages about such things.." Now... my first reaction was to invite them to our rehearsal so they could learn what rigorous and serious really means...my second reaction was... were they confused by "nautanki" did they think we were doing a cheap dance number (as Bollywood has made nautanki out to be) If they really are indian musicians there is no excuse for them to not know what real nautanki is ... I mean these people are claiming to know the music of India .. how can they not know nautanki... I have decided to invite them to rehearsal and then to the show and have them experience the rigorous and serious art that they obviously don't know anything about ...

Spin off!!!!
Ok, so our nautanki production poster had a footer showing the designers of the poster .. so I go to their page and started browsing and under portraitures..(I need a headshot soon :P).. I see none other than my co-blogger's pic !!! what the... life is so weirdly connected.

If you are around in the SF Bay Area, watch us!! tickets and info Pix from rehearsal

[ ACTOR P.O.V I ] Writing from an actor's P.O.V

This blog shall take a turn ... not that we have had a perspective on our ramblings... but as of now.. I am going to be rambling about my experiences as an actor. Whenever I am involved in a theatre project I wish I could capture what I have learned in a written form.. this blog will be used for that very purpose..

Underdog v. Stewie... No wait... Here comes Charlie Brown!

Yea yea... The game was exciting and everything, but the highlight for me during the superbowl was the following: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiMf5cCDy1I

Almost had a tear in my eye... sniff...

New Car Smell

Coworker bought this new car, and what's more exciting about a new car than the new car smell?

What's sad is that you know that the new car smell will slowly and surely fade away. Nothing that you do will replicate that exact smell. Sure Wal-mart and other car stores claim to have the new car smell fragrance for sale, but it's just NOT the same smell... :o(

One has to ask, do the car dealers and the 'actual' new car smell fragrance company have a deal amongst only themselves, or perhaps built up this conspiracy where no other folks can purchase the new car smell fragrance except for the car dealers?

January : The holiday hangover month

Hello tout le monde!!

Well here it is .. the 2nd day of the new year already...hope you had a blast. So after all the craziness of November and December, all the holiday cheer and all the jingle bells and two months of being high on sugar and shopping here we are with January staring at us.. telling us.. you ain't getting none of that from me.. cuz I am the month that slaps you in the face and tells you to get your shit together. I shall watch you return those gifts, remove the decorations, dump the tree, I shall watch you make resolutions and fail at them before you even cross me. I shall drag your ass to work and watch the holiday cheer drain from your face...I'm tough, I'm January... now get your ass to work!!