This morning I was thinking about Amitabh Bachchan. I know that is a bit weird, but the thought was triggered because I was listening... »
Social Issues
Why do people gossip?
Why do people gossip? I never really came up with an answer to that but I’ve been thinking about this lately. I think gossiping is a way to make people feel better about themselves. This generally occurs when as an individual, you yourself are feeling inadequate about something. Transfer this feeling into a cultural... »
Cricket Fiasco in Lahore… Opinions… and Musical Rebellion
Article by Hassaan – Staff Writer for Desigupshup 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... »
Free Will & Shame in Desi Marriage: The Contradictory Roller Coaster
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... »
Discipline or Child Abuse?
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... »
Movie Review: Heaven on Earth
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... »
Poverty & Homelessness in Toronto
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... »
The Sexualization of the “Dark Skinned Woman”
Continuing the discussion of the politics of skin colour, I wanted to share with DesiGupShup readers a further analysis of the sexualization of the dark skinned woman. I will be using Bollywood films as an example to illustrate the what I am talking about. We have established in earlier posts that the white/black dichotomy traces... »
Taking kids to desi movies
It seriously astounds me when desi parents take their children to see Bollywood movies that are completely inappropriate for young eyes. If the film is not designated ‘General viewing audience’ or it’s not specifically a children’s movie, then you should not be taking your kids to see it! Films can have a lot of frightening... »
Monster-in-Laws
Here’s that topic that married people love to discuss: Monster-in-laws. Well some of you might be blessed with in-laws that are loving, non-interfering, and positive, but the general desi experience or stereotype is that of in-laws from hell. The most dreaded relationship is that of saas bahu (mother-in-law and daughter-in-law). It’s one relation that is... »
The Media and Crime: Remembering Reena Virk
The media and the decontextualization of crime is a major issue. Why? The media plays a major role in influencing society and reinforcing beliefs – positive or negative. Sometimes we need to talk about difficult things in order to get to a point where we are able to start asking tough questions. As we start... »