Even though this is now my second school year in India, there will still be a lot of "firsts." Today I went to the movie theatre with three Indian women from school. Tickets (between $1.30 and $3.14, depending on location) were purchased ahead of time, as most shows would be sell-outs, particularly during the weekend. After stepping through the metal detector, a lady asked to see my purse and then asked if I had any cameras. The air-conditioned theatre room was quite large, with the screen filling the entire front. We climbed the carpeted stairs up to our seats which were quite roomy. No sticky floors or left-over popcorn here; the rooms are cleaned thoroughly after every show.
After several commercials (no movie previews though), the movie began. As soon as the main male actor came on, some audience members began cheering and hooting. Same with the female actress, also light skinned. The love story took place in England, India, and San Francisco. No bed scenes here; only brief kissing. Profanity typically isn't present either, with only one instance in this movie - and it was bleeped. Dialogue was mostly in Hindi, with the occasional English word or phrase. I did pretty good at following what was going on and asked my friend for the occasional clarification. As any Indian performance should be, this movie didn't disappoint in terms of colorful, ornate costumes from Northern India. It's impossible to be in India without marveling at the exquisite textiles.
Most of the India scenes took place in Delhi. From my trip this spring, I recognized most of the sites, including the Qutb Minar, India Gate, and Red Fort. The movie also featured an extravagant wedding scene as only wealthy people in North India could do it.
As most Indian movies are long (2 1/2 -3 hours), a brief intermission was provided. We were already set with popcorn and soda so we stayed seated. The jingle of an Indian cell phone company played over and over (as it did before the movie), its annoying repetition only slightly lessened through variations on the tune. By the time the commercials finished once again, the seats were all filled.
I was told to expect three to four dance numbers. True to form, this movie had four full dance scenes, with more dancing interspersed in small doses. Suddenly people erupted in dance, swinging their hips and performing complicated synchronous moves. Most seemed rather incongruous with the scenes before it, but that didn't seem to matter. Audience members expected to see the dances and they were excited when it happened. While the final dance was in progress, the credits appeared and the exit door opened. I had now watched my first (full) Bollywood movie.
In honor of Ganesh's birthday, Hindus lined up at this temple in my neighborhood, looking on as the priests performed pujas. Outside the temple, special floral garlands, ghee lamps, and bundles of leaves/grasses/petals were for sale.
Fishermen brave the strong currents go out on their humble catamaran log boats for their daily catch. No doubt these men have to be quite strong to battle the powerful currents and waves. I wonder what happens when they get caught between incoming and outgoing waves...
Parents in the neighborhood love to have their kids photographed. Often times the kids stiffen up and give the frozen look; others begin to cry; still others play the shy act, as this girl did. What a cutey though.
as well. Those families with babies use real footprints, placing the baby's feet in the rice flour mixture and encouraging them to walk towards the door. South Indian women carry out this decoration with joy, knowing that Lord Krishna has blessed the family by entering the house.
These slightly older boys thought it important to give the "cool" look for their photo. I've seen makeshift cricket bats before, but I sure hope the nail-riddled board the boy here has won't be used for that!
There was something about this boy's eyes that compelled me to take such a close picture of him. Piercing, yet curious. Just after that he posed with other kids in a much more relaxed manner.
These two grannies were enjoying the slightly cooler (or less hot) temperatures in the late afternoon. I've taken photos of the toothless one sitting on the floor before, but this is the first time I've seen her more stoic sister. A great grinning duo.
These boys don't need store bought toys to have fun. One boy rolled the bicycle tire down the lane with a stick, while the older boy carried a hand carved cricket bat. Have fun, boys!
Early every morning this spot in my neighborhood is transformed into a milk distribution center. Delivery people load up their bikes or baskets (often balanced on the head) and distribute the small plastic bags to the doors of customers. Fresh milk is used in large quantities both for coffee and chai.
I recently finished this color pencil drawing of a man from Jaipur playing a pungi instrument. He deftly practiced circular breathing, manipulating the double reed instrument made from a gourd. His pungi had a brass-colored tube attached to it, extending quite a ways out. Was this to provide a buffer between himself and the snake?
Well, after three long flights I am back in Chennai. Ripe sour cherry trees and temps in the 60's (16° C) were replaced with coconut palms and sultry temperatures. Rolling quiet country roads were superseded by flat concrete roads filled with chaotic traffic. Instead of cherry soup, I'm once again eating rice-based dishes. Now begins more adventures in India, starting with school tomorrow.
This cricket field on an early Monday morning was a stark difference to the scene yesterday, when the area was the scene of at least 8 different teams all crammed on the area. I guess even die-hard cricket players have to sleep and work!
