SquawkRadio Comments

Wouldn’t you know it, Liz, other than Kindermusik tapes in our car CD player, we also have a “Best Of” bhaghra music by a whole host of different singer, including many of hte names you mention. 

On some days, we just want to rock it. We blast it in the car and shake our booties all the way home, well, as much as a car seat belt allows it.

I have a plagiarized cassette with Sangeeta’s music. Her songs may not be precisely bump-n-grind, but they’re the nudge-nudge-wink-wink kind.

Me being tech-challenged, I don’t have an iPod. So, I was wondering if it is possible for you to name specific CDs that you particularly like. I would like to get a couple more CDs. Thanks!

Liz,

If you want Bhangra Music Recommendations, I would be glad to provide some! You’ve got a great start already, but I would have to highly recommend the following: the soundtrack to Bluffmaster - it’s got a fusion of dance, bhangra, and arab music mixed in with Hindi. There’s another CD called “Dance All Night” that came out just last year and it has a mix of dance and bhangra songs from Bollywood movies. There are tons more that I’ve managed to download here and there, but I’m not a 100% on who they are by. Hope this helps some.

Amal

Hi again,

I’m not a 100% sure what the deal on trading music is in the US, but in Canada, it’s still not illegal. Having said that, I would be happy to send you a copy of what I have. Let me know.

Amal

Liz..hmm, a country that has over 1 billion people, it’s worth paying a little attention to! I love the food, curse you, now I want some tika-masala!  I understand the whole other culture thing, I’ve been through Mexico and China phases myself.! Nice post, Liz!

Try RDB, JuggyD and Jazzy B.

-Sam

One of my good friends from high school is Indian, so she introducted me to Indian music and movies a while ago. I love the Mohabattein soundtrack and I listen to and sing along with it all the time. I’m definitely going to check out your recommendations! Thanks, Liz!

My husband and I are fans of Indian movies as well. My favorites are Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kal Ho Naa Ho. Thank you for the music suggestions!

On yes, Yes, YES, LIZ!!!  Love this.  I’m in exactly the same frame of mind on the all things Indian front.

And if you were here, I’d take you to the best Indian restaurant in town...and then we’d go get our hands henna’d and stop in on the ISP (Indian Sari Palace), for some great finds.

Don’t know much about the music but I’m game.

I think Indian has entered the American consciousness in a big way.  I’ve been planning a big trek to India for a couple of years now. 

I’m on a Mira Nair kick. Watched Monsoon Wedding last night --fantastically delicious(and was thinking I wanted to blog about, now I know I should). Is that Bhangra?  One of my students said she’s been doing workouts to The Bollywood Dance Workout, with Hemalyahaa, which totally sounds like a blast.

Great music post as always.  I really enjoy these....keep them upl

Barbara

Ooo, Ooo, Ooo Liz.  I love, LOVE, LUV Indian food, music and I adore Bollywood movies.  The movies are funny, touching, colorful (Oh how I knew where to get the clothing!), and the people are beautiful.

The music is joyous and makes you want to get up and dance along.  I do this everytime I see a movie.  My DH and I snatch up any movies we find, which is not that easy.

This is a great blog.  I will definitely hunt down more music.

Deb

ahh Liz its so cool to see a blog like this

i’m punjabi, where this music is from :D

check out RDB...they are a UK group and they mix english and punjabi...it’s pretty sweet!

ahh, i still can’t get over your blog...way cool!!

I was about to say the same thing Sid! As Ms. Mary said “a country that has over 1 billion people, it’s worth paying a little attention to!”

It’s really amazing to see Non-Indians willing to diversify and embrace this culture. Thanks for today’s blog, you made my day!

No joke - my word verification is value48 - I for one value my cultural heritage

Liz--

Thanks so much for today’s post!  I pestered you for some bhangra recommendations over the summer (which you kindly offered up), but you also promised me a bhangra blog.  I was wondering just yesterday if it would be too gauche to harass you about that again. So, sure enough, I logged on today and to my delight I found you delivering.  (One of these days you’ll have to blog on your secret telepathic powers.)

And what’s even funnier is that it was Barbara Samuel discussing her Mira Nair kick in our class yesterday that got me to thinking about you and your trove of bhangra knowledge.  I see she’s already been here to tell you about that.  ("Hello Barbara!” says Melissa, waving across the blogosphere.) I also happen to be the student loving the Bollywood workout.  I can’t tell you how much fun it is.  Very hard, but I’m so busy shimmying my bottom I don’t mind too much.

Beth Rang - I love those two movies as well, I especially love Kal Ho Naa Ho, Shah Ruhk is the greatest! 

I love their version of the Pretty Woman song. 

You should check out Devdas and Paheli, these two movies are so beautiful.  You might want to have lots of tissues if you’re going to watch Devdas.

Hi Liz

I am not Indian neither is my husband one but he simply loves watching Hindi action movies.  I just like oggling their leading men and envy their gorgeous women.

A also love their songs. Bhangra is waaayyy fun and Hindi songs are cool too. One of my all time fave songtracks comes from the movie Veer-Zara.  Go check it out. Rent the movie too...its romantic, poignant and such beautiful cinematography.

Yay! How cool to see so many India enthusiasts in the group. (And, Barbara, I’m going on that trek with you. Make room in your suitcase for me. *G*)

That’s my problem, Keira--I can’t recommend specific CDs just yet because I just don’t have them. But you can go to the iTunes web site and sample stuff without downloading. Then make a list of everything you like and look for the CDs on Amazon or another music site. I’m just having fun picking and choosing right now, so I’m not downloading full CDs yet. (I’m sure that will come soon. Especially after reading all these posts.)

Amal, thanks for the recs. To be honest, I’m not sure what the music sharing laws are here myself, but the way I’m always carping on copyright infringement to my family, I always try to buy music, or, if someone sends me music, then go buy something else by the artist. I’ll look into everyone you mentioned.

In fact, thanks, EVERYBODY, for the recs, both music and movies. My iPod and DVD player runneth over. 

Ran out of room, so here’s part two of my reply…

Ooo, J, I’m going out to warm up the car now. 

Yep, Barb, that would be bhangra. Interestingly, I read an article not long ago about a local--male caucasian--teenager who was totally into Indian dance, and it mentioned what a great workout it is. I’m just gonna have to look into that.

Hey, Sid and Amal, I am happy to oblige. I find your country of heritage fascinating in all ways.

Melissa, I apologize for taking so long to come through on my promise. But I’m glad to see everyone so enthusiastic.

Man, now I want Tandoori chicken for breakfast…

Angelica - OOH, KKHH? Have you Seen Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gam?

Aaina is one of my mom’s favorites. It came out in the early 90s.

And then if you like Shahrukh Khan, you’d like Dil To Pagal Hai. =D

-Samira

I fell in love with India and all things Indian when I became friends with a guy from Bombay (Mumbai now) nearly 20 years ago. He would make “sweet” curry that was hotter than a jalapeno! His roommate was from Calcutta (now Kolkata), and it was always fun to hear their stories about home. Later in Newark NJ one of my friends was from Madras (now Chennai); I snagged some of her recipes. Love Indian food!

My brother has gone to India three times in the past two years, and I’m soooo envious. He’s gone to Hydrabad, Chennai, even Guwahati and Shillong. Now I know what to ask him to get for me next time he goes - bhangra CDs!

Wow… my confirmation code was “then46”, which is so true… I turn 46 this year. (I previewed it that time… when it came time to save the code was “average46”. I hope not!)

Okay...so we’re going here!  Growing up as a little Indian girl with the funny name in school was always kinda embarassing for me, so of course, I did it to MY kids.  My second daughter’s name is Anjali (after a character from the film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai).
While I love a good lighthearted film (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Taal, and Dil To Pagal Hai are my favorites),I really enjoy the not so happy ones like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, and Asoka.  I enjoy the music from these movies.  I also LOVE Amir Khan movies:  Lagaan (Oscar nomated for best foreign film by the way), Dil Chata Hai, and Mangal Panday.
Oh...and for Bhangra music..Daler Mehndi!  Love him.

Dilwale Dulhania Le jaynege is my absolute fav movie of all time. I totally recommend it to all you Shah Rukh Khan fans.

Same with Dil Chate Hai, a really great flick that I think appealed more to the younger generation than the older one.

Someone mentioned Aina - I think that was the first adult themed movie I was ever allowed to watch. Considering how tame Bollywood was with sexuality (or at least compared to Hollywood) Aina oozes sensuality.

- Amal

Oh, man, you guys are driving me nuts with all the movie recommendations. (And Barbara Samuel, too, I bet, huh, Barb? *G*) Can I find these in the US with English subtitles???

Hey, Susanna, I’ll be 46 this year, too. A Very Good Year, I’m thinkin’.

Wow, this is so much fun, to read all these responses.  Liz, we have to go. Yes, yes, yes.

And really, the only big surprise is that it took so long for the influence of 1 billion people who often write and create in English, to be HOT in the US. 

(Waving at Michelle--how funny that we were talking about this in class.  I didn’t know you hung out here!)

Re, the movies: That’s what I was wondering: can we find these movies in English or in English subtitles?  I’m very eager to explore Bollywood, but am not sure how to choose titles.

I got a little surprise check in the mail today so I’m going out to see what music I can find in this realm.

Thanks again, Liz, and to everybody who is contributing to this conversation. 

Barbara

Errr… I’m not sure if the older ones have subtitles.. =\

-Sam

Fabulous Post!! Thanks much for all the recommendations, Elizabeth and others here. My music list suddenly grew.

Liz, thanks also for the tip to do previews of songs on iTunes.

Liz, yes yes yes to the subtitles.  Go to erosentertainment.com and click on the movie that interests you.  It will tell you if the movie has subtitles (most do).  They also have a pretty decent music selection too!

I forgot last night that I wanted to post an heads up for the fans of All Things Indian: Monica Pradhan, an Indian_American writer has written a delightful story of mothers and daughters, old India and new, and modern girls.  HINDI BINDI will be out in May. 

Oh, and it’s packed with recipes, for those who like to cook. 

I loved this book and it has a terrific cover, too. 

Barbara

Brownone, a billion thank yous for the url! And, Barb, thanks for the heads up on Monica’s book. I’ve really been looking forward to that.

Sorry to hit and run so much--I’m doing a writers’ workshop at a local university this week and I’m not home much. But I’m loving this thread!

I love Indian movies - and it’s partly what got me into historical romances!  In fact, I see alot of similarities in terms of the restricted, formal rules of society, the stolen kisses, family disapproval etc.

Netflix carries Indian/Hindi movies.  Just be sure to read the description to make sure they have subtitles.  I am a non-Hindi speaking Indian (from south india) so subtitles are key for me!  A great place to buy movies is: http://www.indiaplaza.com.  I have had luck there.  A site that I have found useful for non-Indians is:  http://www.bollywhat.com/ Also, a site for reviews is:  http://www.planetbollywood.com/

Good Luck!

S

I love world music.  World Cafe on 91.9 turned me into a convert.  I can’t get enough Indian food, and whenever Steve and I talk about it, I remind him that I have the same blood type as 1/2 the sub-continent.  India is in my *blood*.

I’m going to see if I can find a Bhangra podcast!!  podsafemusicnetwork.com usually has all genres, and it’s free to listen before you buy.

Liz, it was great meeting you this last week.  I will never forget how much you taught me!!!!

Thank you!!!