Last weekend I finally saw the new movie Precious.. The movie was amazing, and left quite an impression on me.. So much that I couldn’t get it out of my mind for hours after watching it, and had to distract myself by reading me some Twilight Eclipse.. At least those monsters were fictional and I could feel better about never running into them, but the monsters in “Precious” were so real that I dreamt of them 2 nights in a row.. I think it is kind of making me uncomfortable right now thinking about it but I really want to write this..
The monsters I talk about were the parents of this 16-year old girl named Precious. Her own father had been molesting/raping her since she was 3 years old, and now she was pregnant with her 2nd child by her own father. Her mother was the most selfish person I have ever come across because she allowed all that to happen only because she didn’t want “her man” to leave.. She lived on welfare which included her daughter Precious, and her down-syndrome granddaughter who didn’t even live with them. She hated Precious and abused her verbally and physically every single day because she was mad that “her man” didn’t love her anymore because of Precious. The most absurd and twisted reason ever. This woman suffered with such insecurity that she never left her house, and just sat home all day watching TV and eating. She forced Precious to eat more and more so that she would be fat and “her man” wouldn’t find her attractive anymore..
Have you guys had enough? I have.. I can’t write anymore but I do want to say that I have never known anyone even close to this woman. Comparing her to my own mother is quite ridiculous but I have been thinking about this since I watched the movie. The circumstances being quite similar, my mother never relied on charity, and made selfless and intelligent choices for both my brother and I. She moved to Delhi after my Dad’s death with not much to support us, started a new life, and gave us the best upbringing I could ask for. In a teacher’s income, she gave Brij and I everything we could have ever asked for. Maybe not all the super luxuries that some of my wealthy schoolmates enjoyed.. But, much more than you could imagine.. The best clothes, the best knowledge, the best etiquette, and the best discipline – to make us who we are today. She made another very selfless decision to come to the US at the age of 45 and get another Masters degree to support our dreams and goals. Today when I look at where I have come and what I have achieved, I know I could have never done this without her making those selfless choices. When I look at all she did for us compared to Precious’ mom, I do really think of myself as the most fortunate ever. I really am PRECIOUS.
The horror that took place in Mumbai last year was another Terrorist Attack that left me thinking why.. I grieved the loss of the unfortunate Mumbaites but I had been through this once, remember.. It was the same thing when 9/11 happened. I was trying to get out of DC, so in case they did hit the Capitol 2 blocks away, I could save myself.. I had called all my friends and family in DC/NYC to make sure they were okay, and I did the same last year on 26/11 in Mumbai.. But, this video I am sharing is different, and so strange, because to hear the terrorists and their controllers talk in a language I understand, makes me feel really weird.. To hear them talk in a casual tone directing the gunmen to kill people, sounds like someone giving driving directions..
I had always thought that Terrorists were fanatics, and that they really believed in what they were fighting for.. Yes their approach to kill people was the worst, but somehow I thought they were fighting for something.. But after watching this video, and listening to the people controlling the killing, it sounds like nothing but something they enjoy doing.. It was as if making people fear them, or “khauf” as they refer to it, is their only goal. But that’s a pointless goal. How does that get them anything they want? Or am I really missing something obvious? If they want land (Kashmir), or money, or something else, then that would still make sense to me, but to want others to fear you is a very strange thing to want.. Well maybe that’s why they are called “Terrorists”..
Listening to one of the captured gunmen, reminded of the reality. The reality of millions of poor, illiterate people that live in both India and Pakistan, and are manipulated to think that their only way out is to kill.. That dying for your religion is the only way to achieve heaven.. For such people who have undying faith in God, who believe that only God controls their fate, this must be an easy sell.. Just kill some “Non-Believers” and then die, and you will be a martyr in the eye of God, and that will get you to heaven..
This is a bone-chilling video documentary with never before seen material.. But its very sad.. Its very sad for the people who died including the gunmen because they were so vulnerable that they couldn’t see what they were doing, and that they will never make it heaven (if there is such thing)..
I was just shopping around online on Gilt and came across a Phulkari Jacket by Alexander McQueen.. Phulkari is an ancient embroidery technique from the land of Punjab in India.. Literally meaning “flower working”.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phulkari The jacket is beautiful but I think quite overpriced..
My mom bought me a Phulkari Bagh (a large scarf) last year which I am under strict instruction not to use until I get married.. LOL It is supposed to be traditional wedding gift from the bride’s mom..
I know its been a while since I posted anything up here.. Its simply because work has taken over my life for the last few months, and I have had absolutely no time for anything… But, I finally sneaked in some time to record this.. A beautiful composition by Vishal Bhardwaj, and an amazing play on the word “kaminey” by Gulzar.. I hope you all like it..
I recently stumbled upon a video on YouTube of a show to pay Tribute to Reshma, my all-time favorite folk singer from Pakistan.. The show was amazing since Reshma who is pretty old sang her version of the song, and Atif Aslam (among other singers) sang his version of it.. Here’s the video for “Lambi Judaai”, which you all know is my absolute favorite song.. I have performed this song sooo many times and some of my friends have me sing this one every time they see me.. Also “Ni Main Chori Chori”.. Enjoy..
Here’s another one of her songs that I quite like “Meri Hamjoliyan”.. And the funniest thing is that when I mentioned it to my brother, he actually sang the song.. I guess mom used to listen to this one quite a lot, thats why its engrained in our heads.. LOL
And another.. “Akhiyan nu rehen de..” Oh so beautiful.. Definitely recording this next..
When you combine the lyrics of Gulzar and the music of Vishal Bhardwaj, you always love the final outcome.. We saw Maachis, Maqbool, Omkara, and now Kaminey.. I am in love with all the songs in the Kaminey soundtrack, but these are my most favs..
I am no fashion expert, but I do keep my eyes open for new collections via a few Fashion Blogs.. And here’s something that caught my attention. In his 2009 Fall Collection which he launched yesterday, Elie Saab used all white, and when asked why that was the choice, he said..
“This collection sends a message out to women that their character is more important than colour”..
Yesterday on 07/07/09, I completed 10 long years of being the US, and 10 long years of having left India.. The reason I state both facts is because it was a day of mixed feelings.. Looking back at these 10 years in the US, I see how much I have grown, the ups and downs of life that I went through, and moments when I didn’t think I would make it, but still did.. The friendships, and relationships.. Some that still live on, and some that got left some where on the way.. The only things that stayed throughout these 10 years would be my spirit and my mom and brother.. But, at the same time I can’t help feel the pain of not being in India, and that attachment that is not really for the family or the friends there but simply to the country I grew up in, flourished in, and the culture that still lives very strongly in me..
