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Working away on my Netflix queue, I realized that I want more Bollywood, but don't know what to get. Any suggestions? Beyond Lagaan and Bride and Prejudice (not sure if either is truly Bollywood). I went last year to a local dance competition that seemed strongly influenced by Bollywood style--lots of colleges sent teams and the energy was incredible. I want to see more of that.
But also, is it possible to see Indian classical dance on film anywhere? I don't care what style.
But also, is it possible to see Indian classical dance on film anywhere? I don't care what style.
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Some Hindi movies that are a little less Bollywood song-and-dance but still very good: Omkara, which is an adaptation of Othello, Black, which is kind of a remake of The Miracle Worker, and Banaras, a Mystic Love Story, which is filmed in my favorite ancient city, and which I plan to reference in my next Dharma talk.
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I'd love to visit Lahore someday!
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Netflix doesn't have my two favorite Buddhist movies: A Little Monk, (though it does have Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring, which stars the same old monk) and Chasing Buddha, the documentary about Ven. Robina Courtin. You might call I Heart Huckabees a Buddhist-sorta film, and I like that one.
Let me know how you like the movies!
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Some others we enjoyed: Veer-Zaara (someone else mentioned it), Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Hum Aapke Hain Koun, and Swades.
One of my students has just offered to lend me some of her DVDs, so if I get any more recs, I'll pass them on,
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If there are any full-length feature films that include more than brief somewhat stylised versions of classical dance forms, I'm yet to discover it.
I can point you to some interesting short performances and documentary footage on Kathak, Odissi and Bharatanatyam on YouTube or various professional dancers' websites if you'd be interested.
Have you seen a lot of Kathak dance? Where did you get to see it?
As for Bollywood films, I'm only just beginning to explore them myself.I tend to gravitate towards Mughal era epics where I know, even if I won't be seeing much traditional Kathak (sometimes the rhythm is there but the actress isn't even really moving her feet), there will be plenty of classically-inspired dance and mostly raaga-based or semi-classical songs not to mention drop-dead gorgeous costumes (my great weakness;).
Ones I've enjoyed so far include Pakeezah , Umrao Jaan (the 80's version with Rekha, not the recent remake) and Mughal-E-Azaam.
The latest version of Devdas (a story filmed many times), campy,overblown glitz-epic though it may be, is quite entertaining and Madhuri Dixit is quite an accomplished dancer and at least one of her numbers is choreographed by , Kathak master Birju Maharaj , doyen of the Lucknow gharana, who has worked with a fair number of film artists.
I'd second the suggestion of Paheli, which is a fun film with an enchanting story and Rajasthani folk-based dance and music.
There must be a fair number or films with good Bhangra (Punjabi folk) dancing too. my experience is still pretty limited.
Let me know what films you see and enjoy. I'd love some recommendations too.
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My exposure to Kathak was wonderful serendipity. I'm a community college teacher of world literature and went to some seminars on South Asian culture, and there was a woman there who is a Kathak dancer. At the time, she was on the faculty at Duke, teaching religion and dance (great combination!) It was a glorious thing for a westerner because she explained a little about the history and symbolism as well as giving some beautiful performances. I've seen a little more since then at local cultural festivals but haven't been to India (though I hope to go next year). I don't really know very much about other forms of Indian classical dance, but would love to see it.
If it's OK, I will friend you and will tell you what I've seen.
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My teacher's teacher, Pandit Chitresh Das' website:
http://www.kathak.org/site/kathak/section.php?id=9100
and, my teacher, Joanna de Souza's Facebook video page:
http://www.facebook.com/video/?id=665155467
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For some reason Facebook's not letting me see your teacher right now, but I'm sure I'll figure it out. And I friended you, but will remove myself if you like.
Thanks so very much for this!
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And thanks for the befriending, I'll return the favour
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Thanks so very much!
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If you like, you can find me on Facebook as Katja Jacknowitz. Just message me there and I can add you and easily send you video clips and links.
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