Mumbai Festivals Return Vibrancy to the City
Friday January 16, 2009
Flamenco dancer from Spain.
www.flickr.com user aline salazar
After an extended period of mourning, Mumbai is finally returning to life after the tragic events of late last year.
The annual Mumbai Festival kicked off yesterday with a free evening concert at the Bandra Fort Amphitheater, featuring a striking combination of Kathak and Flamenco dancing from Spain. The festival is a two week cultural extravaganza, with performers from India and around the world showcasing everything from A to Z -- literally, everything from architecture to visual art. The best thing is that all events are free!
In order to help the Mumbai get its vibrant spirit back, the state government is also planning a week long festival dedicated to the city and its courage. The Mumbai Saptarang (seven colors) is due to get underway on January 23, 2009, with cultural programs across the city. These will include poetry recitals, dance performances, music shows, and workshops.
It looks like the remainder of January is shaping up to be very busy, and if you're visiting Mumbai, it will be impossible to be bored!
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Pongal Festival: Thanksgiving in India
Thursday January 15, 2009
Sweet Sakkarai Pongal dish.
www.flickr.com user Kuttibalu
While other parts of India are celebrating Makar Sankranti and Lohri, down south in Tamil Nadu, they're rejoicing over Pongal. The festivals are all celebrated for the same reason -- the retreat of winter and the forthcoming harvest season.
Pongal is a four day festival, with the highlight being the cooking of the Pongal dish -- a sweet preparation made from rice and boiled milk. The festival also marks the start of the Tamil new year.
One of the best places to catch the Pongal celebrations is in Chennai, although they widely happen across regional Tamil Nadu. Last night, a huge street festival was held in Chennai to usher in Pongal. A popular bull taming sport called Jallikattu is also played in Madurai, on the eve of the third day.
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Makar Sankranti: India's Kite Festival
Wednesday January 14, 2009
A boy collects kites on Makar Sankranti.
www.flickr.com user Meanest Indian
I was out doing some shopping in Mumbai the other day and was reminded, by all the shops filled with colorful kites, that Makar Sankranti was coming up. This festival, which marks the start of the sun moving into the northern hemisphere and the retreat of winter, is being celebrated across India today. It's a particularly joyful time and is one of the most auspicious days on the Hindu calender.
Also known as Uttarayan in the state of Gujurat, the celebrations feature the flying of millions of kites. Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujurat, is renowned for the International Kite Festival that's held there. A similar festival is also held in Jaipur as part of Makar Sankranti festivities.
The manufacturing of kites for the festival is a huge business, with most of them made by hand by generations of kite makers. Every year they strive to come up with new and innovative designs.
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Slumdog Millionaire Wins 4 Golden Globe Awards
Tuesday January 13, 2009
Slumdog Millionaire composer A.R. Rahman.
Getty Images
The fascinating story of an orphan from a Mumbai slum, who went from rags to riches, has proven that it's more than just a good novel. The story was made into a movie called Slumdog Millionaire, which scooped four Golden Globe awards on Sunday night. The awards were received for Best Motion Picture Drama, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Original Score.
The win was a particularly special one for the movie's composer, A.R. Rahman, who was the first Indian in the 66 year history of the Golden Globe awards to receive a prize.
Slumdog Millionaire was adapted from the book Q&A; by Indian author Vikas Swarup, and shot in the slums of Juhu and Versova in Mumbai. It contains a mix of British and Indian actors, including real slum children from Mumbai.
As an indication of the movie's appeal, it's won a total of 64 awards since its release in the United States in November 2008. Unfortunately, Indian audiences will have to wait a little longer to see the movie, as it won't be shown in India until January 23, 2009.
