I just love mehndi! By the way, mehndi is also known as henna…but you already knew that because you are way ahead of the game! Lol…I am in a funny/sarcastic mood today but aside from that I want to share with you my love of mehndi since I was a young girl.
Applying mehndi when I was little was a really fun event. When I was growing up, mehndi cones were not readily available in Toronto, so every Eid our mom would mix the mehndi and apply to our awaiting hands with a toothpick. Read the rest of this entry »
This morning I was thinking about Amitabh Bachchan. I know that is a bit weird, but the thought was triggered because I was listening to the song “Cheeni Kum” and it reminded me of this icon of Bollywood. Quite frankly, I didn’t like Amitabh’s movies from the 80’s. Such stupid movies, bad acting, and overall crap! But his 70’s films are quite good as are the movies he is acting in now. I think I can appreciate the caliber of this actor from the films he has done in the last few years.
Amitabh at this stage is doing some really good films, experimental ones, and he really excels in these roles. He was excellent in Sarkar and Baghban which showcased a different range of emotions. He really deserves accolades for the films he has done recently. But super-stardom…….is it deserved? Read the rest of this entry »
It’s been a long time since I’ve blogged on the site. If anyone has any suggestions for desigupshup feel free to give us a shout! Since I tend to be the sports writer I’ll get everyone in on the latest scoop that’s taken the whole cricketing fraternity by shock. Recently there was a terrorist attack in Lahore, Pakistan where the 3rd day’s play of the 2nd test match in a series of 2 was about to begin. The terrorists targeted the Sir Lankan cricket team and the attack was carried out somewhat successfully. A lot of the grenades thrown did not actually blow up, but several players, personnel and officials were injured. Injuries varied from just pieces of shrapnel to bullet wounds in the leg and chest. The driver carrying the officials died and one umpire was shot.
It was Team Pakistan’s luck that on this particular day their bus left 5 minutes later rather than together like they usually do or it might have been worse. I would say that this could be this a mere coincidence as luck was on their side that day. However let’s just quickly look at the trend from the past summer onwards in terms of security rated by the words of the Sri Lankan team personnel. The Asia Cup was held in Pakistan in the summer of ‘08 - great. The Sri Lankan team came for 3 ODIs in January - great (and this a direct result of India cancelling their series with us for security reasons after the Mumbai blasts). The 1st test of this series in Karachi - great. However when they came to Lahore, the security was quite different. So different that our own Imran Khan said and I quote: “The security provided to the Sri Lankan team was ten times less than what is given to interior ministry adviser Rehman Malik” Read the rest of this entry »
I was at a dinner party last night, and engaged in some interesting topics that were being discussed. I think that our generation is still a bit scared to talk about desi issues that bother them pertaining to marriage, religion, culture…etc. The concept of ’shame’ still puts fear into people, despite the fact that they are moving towards doing things that they want to do, like marrying the person of their own choice rather then having a spouse chosen for them.
Not to slight arranged marriage at all for those people who are happy and enjoying their lives. Marriage is a gamble, be it ‘arranged’ or ‘love’ (as us brown people like to call it). But why hide a love marriage and pretend it’s arranged? I don’t see the point in that. Read the rest of this entry »
Do desi parents discipline their children with a few too many smacks? A slightly touchy subject, but one that needs to be talked about. Is it common to be physically disciplined for ‘bad’ behaviour? A slap here, a shoe there, that leather belt with the buckle…various degrees of what we can be classified as discipline as well as abuse.
I think every family and every person has a different definition of what classifies abuse. This is largely related to the degree of discipline or abuse they have experienced in their own lives. But this can be very dangerous because what if you come from a family in which violence is a regular/normal thing then you may think it is a part of life? Scary thought. The smack on the buttocks is not just ended there, but instead is a ongoing and violent beating…very scary. Read the rest of this entry »
What a waste of my time.During the entire film, I kept thinking…When is this going to get interesting?Chandni Chowk to China is a huge disappointment.Hopes were riding high on khiladi number one Akshay Kumar, but unfortunately he was not able to keep the ‘hit film’ momentum going with Chandni Chowk to China.
Wow! Can you believe it?! It is already December 24, 2008, and that means it’s time for ‘Jingle Bells’! :) Wishing everyone HAPPY HOLIDAYS and a PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!
Here in Toronto, we’ve been hit by a snow storm, and I think it’s the first time in a very long time that all of Canada will be covered with snow on December 25th. Read the rest of this entry »
I thought I would write a review for DesiGupShup on a very disturbing, yet reflective movie that was released a few months back. Heaven on Earth is a film by Deepa Mehta and it deals with arranged marriages and the experience of desi immigrants in Canada. Issues of control, gender roles, and violence are also highlighted in this amazing movie that uses the Sikh community in Brampton as a microcosm to illustrate what is happening to many desi immigrant families in the GTA.
The story is about Chand, played by Preity Zinta, who immigrates to Canada to marry Rocky in an arranged marriage. Although Rocky’s parents are the ones who selected Chand, Rocky’s mother is worried that she is losing control over her son, and uses guilt and provocation to retain perceived control over her son.
When I go to work in downtown Toronto, I often come across homeless people who are sleeping on the street. I wonder about what is happening to our society, indeed what is happening to us, when we can simply walk past a person who has no home and no place to go, without even thinking about it.
Sometimes, people will be sitting with their hat or a cup extended out, asking for change. People walk by and every now and then I hear the occasional “why don’t they just get a job” from people passing by. Well, if it were that easy to get a job, have a nice little place to live that was warm in the winter and cool in the summer, wouldn’t that be great?
One of the most entertaining and hilarious dance scenes that I’ve seen is the Cobra dance from the movie Bride and Prejudice starring Aishwarya Rai. The dance features her on screen sister entertaining the guests who are potential suitors for Lolita (Aishwarya) and Jaya (Namrata Shirodkar).
I always break into laughing fits when I see this, so I hope you’ll enjoy it just as much as I do. :) Behold…the Cobra Dance!
