Fashion weeks I suppose can motivate the most complacent us to resurrect our inner style divas. The weekend whizzed past at record speed, and yup I did go on that tedious shopping expedition. Apparently, they do make vaguely stylish clothes in not-so-miniscule sizes, these days.
Other than that, it’s refreshing to see a celebrity hollering for a cause in such a non-political sort of way. I’m talking about Aamir Khan. Sure, he’s directed and starred in Coke ads, but then all of us are mere mortals who get caught in a tug-of-war between commerce and conscience. Let’s give this dude a break. He’s always been a bit of a recluse when it comes to talking to the media, and now when he finally does it, it’s by gunning for a cause. I wish more celebs would come forward and speak up, without mincing words.
Other than that saw Munich. I thought it was a wee bit ‘filmy’. All the characters are dressed a la 007 and spew witty lines. As for Eric Bana, it’s really quite difficult to take one’s eye off the man. He’s lissome, tall and moves like a dancer. Besides, the whole tortured soul act is rather endearing in a man.
Also saw this Oddissi recital where traditional Oddissi was choreographed to Bollywood music, both new and old. The interpretation did involve adding ‘free movement’ to make the twain meet. Many of the dancers were amatuers and did a pretty good job. The leader of the dance troupe Jhelum is very agile and expressive, off-stage too. And her pupil Ankur this chap who is slightly deaf, dances like a dream. He’s got such perfect body language and presence on stage. Energy, expression and all the elements that turn a dance recital into a moving performance by a true artist.
In fits and starts it seemed like a school production, a wee bit repetitive at times. But overall, a success in terms of making Oddissi more accessible to us who are not initiated into this dance form. I wish they’d doo the same for a capella here in Mumbai, but often people who embrace any sort of classical art form are so snooty about it, they refuse to make to even a wee bit more accessible. I think they simply bask in the fact that they patronise something so niche.
Saw Madonna on Parkinson’s and the woman’s intelligence simple shone. My roommate started jumping around like a kangaroo when Madonna said something to the effect of ’ I liked moving to New York because it has a place for oddballs like me who don’t think conventionally’.
Mumbai is alot like New York in terms of its spirit. Just more congested, polluted and crowded. But there are quite a few oddballs and so one can co-exist beautifully amongst fellow-oddballs.
Everyone is an oddball to someone!
Very profound…