There is great deal of marriage talk going about at my place. Here is my stand on the issue. Marriage should be an act of passion and not one out of convention. If I take the latter route, in a few months or years we would get tire of disagreeing with each other on what was more or less the same thing, would be inured to each other’s odd and perhaps disgusting ways, the way she bites her nails etc., and then we would sink into a placid and comfortable unhappiness, each still in a cocoon, but perhaps it would be unwise to be otherwise. And my once secret life would be entombed in a mind half-dead to an incarcerating world, and I would remember, with a sense of bemused embarrassment, and in epiphanic flashes, brought on by uncontrollable jolts to my memory. The restlessness of my mind seems to be the all important thing in the universe.

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

In New Y000rk

Currently, in New York for a couple of months.   Click here for latest about New York blog.

Super Funny Indian Dance Video....

This is the funniest wedding dance video I've seen in ages!! :-) Enjoy!!

The Phase

is when I do everything well, when I follow time lines, accomplish tasks, I do everything to run away from the one thing that probably needs most of my attention, time and devotion. This just dawned on me as I continued to surprise myself with all the things that were getting done. To escape the ultimate, I am excelling with the trivialities. Note to self, run the other way, we live on a globe.

Nagins in Bollywood 101

You know you are faced with a Nagin from bollywood if:

1. AMORPHOUS: It can assume any shape and form possible, (even a skeleton bride, 6:46)
   major giveaway: if you catch it converting from human to snake or snake to human.. that pretty much seals the deal example
2. LIGHT COLORED EYES UPON OCCASION: When mad or excited or angry .. its eyes turn blue.. or gray.
   
3. BIN/PUNGI: If you play the bin anywhere around it, it will try to resist but will eventually give in by dancing, like so .. clickity , or this , more, you get the idea. Note the cobra like hand gesture... VERY important for a nagin dance.
   
4. RELIGIOUS: It hangs around Lord Shiva's idol.
5. AGILE: It can do anything! dodge bullets, withstand lightening, appear, disappear ... anything
6. MONOGAMOUS:It practices monogamy and loves to dance with it's companion, rolling around and slithering like movements, references : clickity clack
   
7. AVENGEFUL: If you kill its loved one ... particularly the naag it will avenge you. How does it know who killed the naag you ask? Simple! it sees the picture of the murdered in the dead naag's eyes, as explained here (1:37)
   
8. MANI: It knows where the mani is at.. now mani is the jewel that can supposedly make a snake charmer or sage or saint or saadhoo or just about anyone rich.. how you ask ? Well, since none of the idiots in any of the movies have found it .. it remains to be answered... all we know is that its really shiny and bright enough to make the night seem like day.
   
9. SNAKE BABIES: If you fall in love with one, your spawn are likely to become one. That's if you don't eat them.
   
10. AMRISH PURI: Nagin in bollywood movies usually has a contender who will play the bin and intice it and try to get the nagin to reveal the mani's location and that guy will most likely be Amrish Puri. Unfortunately, we don't have that luxury anymore, Jaani dushman (new one) is the last such movie that saw him in this character.
    

Not long ago, I sat down to revise my Nagin IQ by watching the great classic Nagina which is the single most popular Nagin movie. As a friend noticed my undivided attention toward the screen, he interjected with great curiosity as "Mai teri dushman (I'm your enemy)" played , amrish puri blowed and sri devi gyrated..

Friend: Whoa why is she dancing like that?
Moi: That's a popular dance buddy ...
Friend: Is she mad she doesn't have one?
Moi: doesn't have what?
Friend: No GINA
Moi speechless....

...

Mom, I'm on my Period...

Oh no! Ok, don't touch my madi sari (a sari she wears to pray in). Do NOT touch or use these utensils in the kitchen. When you're in the pooja (prayer) room, don't go near any of the idols or the praying items. MOST important thing, make sure that you take a head bath on your 4th AND the 5th day of your period before you pray in front of god. You're not allowed to pray on the 1-4th days. Only started to allow to pray on the 5th day.

Uhhm, ok mom.

Why are you giving me that look? You're having it much easier that me. When I was growing, no one was even supposed to touch us at home. If someone touched me when I was on my period, even accidentally, they would have to take a bath IMMEDIATELY! We would be in a corner in the house, NO ONE outside the house was allowed to touch us also ok? The whole gully (street) would know when a girl was on her period.

Sigh.

Don't sigh! Where are your traditions? You have to respect god. You can't go in front of him when you're not pure.

Being on my period doesn't mean I'm impure mom. God knows when I'm on my period, so why these rules that don't make sense?

You don't know anything! It is not respectful to go in front of god when you're not pure.

Why the taboo around a woman's period? It's as natural as breathing, sleeping, eating. It's something every girl/woman goes through. In this day and age, why should a woman be feared if she is on her period? Why should poojas be stopped? In many current cases, why can she not be touched in the house she is currently residing in? Why can't I pray if I choose to in a temple?

My grandparents happen to be very orthodox. My first experience of having a period in India was.., a learning experience... We had plans to go to Tirupathi (a holy mecca sort of a place for Hindus). But since I got my period, I wasn't allowed to go. On top of that, it meant that my parents were still going and I had to stay back with my grandparents. Grandma made me sit in a corner in the house and at times, I was asked to leave the house for a bit while grandpa was praying. Having a presence of a girl on her period was impure. No one was allowed to touch me.

Scenario mentioned above with my mom is one of the many arguments that run in the house that I currently live in. Every month I get my gift from "God", mom freaks out. Makes SURE I take a head bath on the 4th 5th whatever day. And mom's right. She had it a lot harder when she was growing up. I tell myself that I'll try not to be the same way like my mom if I have kids. Maybe I'll be all the more liberal.

But again, why the taboo? A part of me is god-fearing as well. Is it bad karma to disrespect my parents and ancestors' rules? Would god punish me for going to the temple on my 'off' days? Breaking the barrier of having the freedom to go to the temple when I'm on my period seems to be just as hard of an ordeal like many of the other racial, economic, environmental problems that are going on in the world lately. It's hard to urge my mom and dad to change. It's hard to explain the formula of "women on her period = just women, not impure women".

Time shall tell on whether I'll have the courage to break this barrier if and when it comes to my daughter's first period.

Period.

Burning Man... this year )"( ???

Ok, so I've heard a lot about Burning Man. Some people say it's artistic, spiritual, bonding, soul-searching sort of event... others describe it to be drugged out, naked people, too hot, sandstorms, crazy times... (don't know if this batch has ever been). So after a motivating speech from a co-worker, I have decided to give this thought and now I really want to go.. so much so that I have even started to think about what exactly will I be doing there and potential art work that I can create there... But before it's set in stone .. I need some accounts, experiences, suggestions, warnings all of that from people.. so if you got something that might impact my decision, comment! If I know you, mention if you'd be interested in going.. cuz one thing is for sure.. I am NOT going alone.. and I need a group ... BIG group.

WHAT A GIRL WANTS- THE POTENTIAL BRIDEGROOM CHRONICLES

wise men hv said, "shaadi barbaadi hoti hai". nothing truer was ever said, especially wen it cums 2 d girl im abt to describe below...
she is a common frend of bra n i...obviously, shez a product f salwan...
SHE EARNS ONE LAKH RUPEES EVERY MONTH...D MOST IMP POINT...

nw to sm trivial details...
currently she weighs close to 150 kgs n has an ass d likes f a marshy swamp dat even shrek{ d ogre} wud b proud to reside in....though i may add dat she is fair n has a well carved face...add a few inches in height n subtract a few miles f d waistline, she surely wud b d heidi klum f rajinder nagar...


nehw...nw dis girl proposed 2 my frend...
he is handsm...not fat...earns well...
my frend n dis girl had bn frends for quite sm time nw n they had a "my best frends marriage" kinda super gay pact f gettin married if they didnt find ne1 else n all dat{ oops...sorry.. i gotta go vomit..}
whoooooa....m bk..

nw...here 4 ur kind perusal plz ladies n gentlemen....is d proposal....
nah...dats lame too...
wats super interesting n sublimely insightful r d conditionalities or prerequisites dat she put forward...
heres a sample-----
1...d guy Must Not hv more dan one sibling...
2...if he hs a sister, she shud b married...
3...if he hs a brothr, he shud b married too but nt stayin wid d guy...
4...post marriage, he shud leave his parents...
5...he shud nt hv a flat higher dan d second floor...

my frend hs since committed suicide...
please...TWO MINUTE KA MAUN...AATMA KI SHAANTI KE LIYE...

[ ACTOR P.O.V X ] Come watch MADHAVI naatak's next hindi play

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

*** Discount period ends THURSDAY NIGHT ( Jan 29th) !!! ***

*** Both VIP and General seats will be assigned in the order tickets are purchased, so buy early to get the best seats. ***

*** Read the MADHAVI preview on Water, No Ice***

NAATAK
presents its 29th production

Bhisham Sahni's
MADHAVI
(Hindi)

Directed by Abhishek Das
Produced by Shubhra Prakash

SHOW TIMES
13th February, Friday 8 pm
14th February, Saturday 6 pm
15th February, Sunday 3 pm

Cubberley Theater
4000 Middlefield Rd , Palo Alto , CA 94303

TICKETS
Until Jan 29, General $15, VIP $25
After Jan 29, General $20, VIP $35
VIP tickets include preferential assigned seating and complimentary snacks.
Both VIP and General seats will be assigned in the order tickets are purchased, so buy early to get the best seats.
Children under 8 will not be admitted.
Buy online at www.naatak.com
Or email tickets@naatak. com
Or call Soumya, 408 425 2647

ABOUT THE PLAY
Madhavi recounts a tale from the Mahabharat. Munikumar Galav must
fulfill a promise made to his guru, while the sage Yayati must live up
to his reputation for generosity. Both achieve their ends through
Madhavi, who lives in these two worlds of male pride, blessed with the
ability to regain her youth at will, and the promise that she will
give birth to great kings.

ABOUT NAATAK
Naatak is a San Francisco Bay Area-based theater group dedicated to
producing creative and thought-provoking plays. Since its founding in
1995 by students at UC Berkeley and Stanford, Naatak has staged 28
productions in English, Hindi and Tamil. For more information, visit www.naatak.com.

Are we blind? Or just sick in our heads

3 things I have heard in the news this week that have instilled frustration, angst, helplessness and confusion in my conscience.

1). Madoff gets temporary bail?
Seriously? The guy who single-handedly flushed a huge part of our financial stability down the toilet is getting bail? Why? We are bold enough to arrest people we have no proof of violating the law and we take them to a godforsaken place to torture them and turn their lives upside down and break them in a way they cannot be put back again... all to find out .. the person had nothing to do with the crime and Madoff get's bail?

2). Blagojevich is going to work everyday?
I guess they are waiting for when he will show up at the airport with a head scarf and a long beard and islamic outfit ... or when he will change his skin color to black and act shady with his homies at a train station .. before they arrest or accidently shoot him... till then those tapes about how he is about to sell Obama's senate seat ... to the highest bidder .....sorry not good enough.

3). Stop the rockets and Israel will stop.
Bush throughout Israel's occupation of Gaza has said .. it is upto Hamas to stop the conflict, they need to stop firing rockets. I am not one to figure out whose fault it really is... but by simple math and logic. Latest stats say

13 Israelis dead . 3 civillians 10 soldiers
919 Gazans dead... and counting.. there are children in these casualties...

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!