April 2016 by India Currents

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Get the Spelling of Gandhi Right, Please!

rowsing through the display at Berlin’s Black Box museum (depicting the impact of the Berlin Wall on the history of Germany), I happened upon a reference to T. N. Zutshi, an Indian, who traveled to East Berlin in 1960 wearing a placard proclaiming, “The first step toward freedom: Get rid of your fear and speak the truth!” The picture of Zutshi with the crude German signboard slung around his neck standing in front of barbed wire was particularly stark and greatly inspiring, for I’d heard about this man, who considered himself a “citizen of the world,” and had courted arrest and fought for those he had no real affiliation to, other than that they were, like him, humans. In the picture, Zutshi was standing along with Carl-Wolfgang Holzapfel, both of whom were arrested by the East Berlin police for five days, according to the little information bulletin alongside the pictures. Both men were described as followers of “Ghandi,” and, what’s more, as I skimmed through the texts of other languages, I noticed that our Mahatma’s name was spelt correctly in all but the English translation! This was not the first time I have come across this misspelling of Gandhi’s name and it has never failed to irk me. But, standing there in a dimly lit museum passageway in Berlin, peering at the English massacre of Gandhi’s name, it seemed more than a sloppy error. Surely, there were editors involved? Surely one of them knew the correct spelling of one of history’s greats? And then there was the curious behavior of the Germans, who did know what the correct spelling of Gandhi was, but yet had not elected to correct the English version. So what compels our English speaking brains to substitute a gh for a dh? In most English dialects, there is a digraph for gh, which is either silent as in “fright,” pronounced as an “f,” as in “cough,” or said with a slight exhalation for the “h” as in “ghost.” So yes, there is a phoneme for gh. And, too, there is a marked difference from the way that phoneme is used and the way Gandhi is pronounced. Though the common English word “bathing” is a close enough comparison

to the way Gandhi is uttered, there is no English phoneme for dh. For sure, spelling mistakes are easy to make and so are typos. Much depends on how we phonetically sound them out To me, learning the spelling of words is a product of reading—a process of capturing the spellings of words like images onto my brain. In fact, Catherine Snow, an expert on language and literacy development in children, says that “Spelling and reading build and rely on the same mental representation of a word.” When it comes to foreign names that we rarely come across, careful research and attention must be allocated to get the spelling right. Many proper nouns do not adhere to typical orthographic constructs, like Schwarzenegger or Dmitry Medvedev. Errors with names that we see or read frequently are rather revealing. I feel compelled to make assumptions like perhaps the person hasn’t read anything since Stuart Little; perhaps he lives buried under broken up bedrock; perhaps his tv remote

is embedded into his hand. When museums, articles, books and public forums misspell certain famous names it is a consequential error. It can result in reinforcing and perpetuating the mistake. And it’s pretty egregious that Wiktionary, UrbanDictionary, Wikiquote and RaceandHistory have entries for “Ghandi!” The argument to be made is that those who misspell Gandhi’s name rarely mean him any disrespect. So, perhaps, the Black Box museum wasn’t being disrespectful. It’s a matter of precision and attention to detail: touted German qualities. Gandhi is quoted as much as Martin Luther King is, but I have not encountered anyone spelling Luther as Lhuter, have you? When we make the effort to spell people’s names right, we show that we care. Take the time and get it right, folks!

Jaya Padmanabhan, Editor

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INDIA CURRENTS April 2016 • vol 30 • no 1

PERSPECTIVES

West Coast Edition

LIFESTYLE

3 | EDITORIAL Get the Spelling of Gandhi Right, Please! By Jaya Padmanabhan

www.indiacurrents.com

26 | BOOKS A Review of Before We Visit the Goddess By Jeanne Fredriksen

Find us on

8 | WORDS AND THINGS Anatomy of a Mugging By Ragini Tharoor Srinivasan

29 | RELATIONSHIP DIVA Five Tips for Flirting with Confidence By Jasbina Ahluwalia

14 | POLITICS What’s Driving Indian Americans for Trump? By Arpit Mehta 24 | PERSPECTIVE Where Are You From? By Veenu Puri-Vermani 34 | OPINION Love ya Arranged? By Shachi Patel

16 | Erasing the Accent The fast and racy Quantico, ABC’s hit show, has Priyanka Chopra captivating audiences in a riveting role.

40 | COMMENTARY Elderly Women Choose Their Own Future By Suraksha Giri 46 | PARENTING My Beautiful Siri By Swathi Chettipally 48 | FEATURE 12 Steps to Happily Ever After By Eva Mendes 70 | ANALYSIS Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics By P. Mahadevan

By Geetika Pathania Jain

28 | Excerpt Before We Visit the Goddess By Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

4 | INDIA CURRENTS | West Coast Edition | April 2016

66 | DEAR DOCTOR My Father Has Become Emotional By Alzak Amlani 68 | MUSIC Nourishing a Musical Legacy: Pt. Girish Chatterjee By Priya Das 90 | HEALTHY LIFE Got Water? An Ayurvedic Guide to Drinking Water By Ashok Jethanandani 95 | RECIPES Recipes with Spirits By Praba Iyer

52 | Travel Charmed by Budapest By Melanie P. Kumar

100 | ON INGLISH A Wholesome Congee By Kalpana Mohan 102 | THE LAST WORD Why I Want to Hang Up My Pen By Sarita Sarvate

36 | TAX TALK What Filing Status is Right For You? By Khorshed Alam

93 | Films Reviews of Ghayal and Jai Gangaajal By Aniruddh Chawda

DEPARTMENTS

6 | Letters to the Editor 32 | Popular Articles 30 | Ask a Lawyer 31 | Visa Dates

WHAT’S CURRENT 72 | Cultural Calendar 82 | Spiritual Calendar

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letters to the editor

In the Matter of Race

Regarding Jaya Padmanabhan’s editorial on “race” (“It’s the Race Card, People,” India Currents, March 2016), I am Indian on my mother’s side, so for better and worse it doesn’t show in my name in our one-surname-only society. Merle Oberon, the late movie star (Wuthering Heights, etc.), was also Indian on her mother’s side, but lived at a time when one had to hide our Indian heritage, else one would be subject to discrimination. (I love Mahatma Gandhi’s response when he arrived in England and was asked what he thought of British civilization and he said, “That would be an excellent idea.”) About “race” and the Oscars, it is a fact that blacks are well-represented statistically in movies, on TV, and in ads, whereas Hispanics, Indians, East Asians, etc., are very under-represented. It is WE who should speak up and insist on inclusion, and accurate inclusion. (When Jodie Foster was given an Indian husband in her film The Brave One, I believe he was made a Christian, which is not typical and gives movie-goers a false impression.) Keep up the good work but avoid cross fanatics and don’t give in to incorrect ideas and terms about nationality and race. I am just as Caucasian as the next average person here and am very proud to be Indian, all of our major western languages began in India, and much culture besides (for instance, the word “ignite” comes from the fire god Agni). Henry E. Collins, Los Angeles, CA

I am three-quarters Indian and read your editorial with interest. First, I might encourage Indians— people from India or of Indian origin—to correct those who call Native Americans “Indians.” Columbus thought he’d landed in India. Had he thought he’d landed in China, most Americans would still be calling Native Americans “Chinese.” Or, ironically, red Chinese (as in red Indians, who are not red, but this culture likes to assign colors for easy, if inaccurate, refer6 | INDIA CURRENTS | West Coast Edition | April 2016

ence). Second, Indians are Caucasians. Yes, typically darker than European Americans, but/and still Caucasian. Color or shade is one thing, race is another. Feel free to educate average Americans, be they “white” or “black,” about the word Caucasian, which most don’t understand. Nor have most heard of the Indo-European family of languages, although they speak one (usually only one). And using the word “Asian” to cover the by far biggest continent populationwise (also the biggest geographically) is lazy as well as inaccurate. It’s like always saying “European” and never saying French, German, Italian, etc. There are far more differences within Asia, culturally and racially, than there are in Europe. “Asian” reduces this complex continent which will, in time, be the world’s power center and ignores its fascinating and increasingly relevant differences and contributions. Wilhelm Sanborn, Santa Monica, CA

In 1992, I got a call from a Human Resources representative because I had marked myself as Asian in one of the forms. I didn’t know any better at that time. My logic was that India is in Asia, therefore I’m an Asian (the choices on the form were very limited then, Caucasian, Hispanic, African American, Asian) I remember the conversation vividly. He said that they were going to cross out Asian and mark me down as a Caucasian. I was bewildered. I had never thought of myself as a Caucasian. Basically, I was informed that when you look at facial features and body type, Indians are closest to the Caucasian race.

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If that is the case then Nikki Haley has a reason for identifying herself that way on the form (even though her motive might have been different). The forms have more options now and many times I have seen South Asian as an option. Suchitra Bhandarkar, email

I am not sure that I agree with Jaya Padmanabhan entirely about it being confusing and hence OK to identify yourself as white (“It’s the Race Card, People,” India Currents, March 2016). Can you imagine the row it would have caused if she had said that she was Black, instead? If you parse it carefully, the categories are supposed to represent ethnicity/race, but I do agree that the labels are very misleading when you say Black and White. Maybe it should be more like African descent or Caucasian etc. Of course it is also interesting that many states do not require you to fill in that race category but South Carolina does! Maybe you should write an article along the lines of how archaic/misleading the choices are and use that to frame the larger racial argument. Shyam Pillalamarri, email

Chuckles and Giggles

I loved the article by Usha Akella (“Pomegranates and Potatoes,” India Currents, February 2016). She perfectly describes the “pom” and “pot” (such apt abbreviations!). The writer has a great imagination. The paragraph where the pom and pot are asking the mirror as to who stands taller is funny. I chuckled when the mirror said to the pot to take a good look at itself and lose some of its weight. It still brings a smile to my face as I write this. And the way the author refers to God’s creations and how the potato was an afterthought was simply inspired! She perfectly describes the pom: the peeling of which is a torture. And the pot, the poor pot, existing merely to gratify the belly. It isn’t torturous to eat, peel, cut, fry, or even microwave. It pleasurably satisfies the hunger of human beings. An hour after reading, I was still thinking of the words and sentences Usha used so eloquently. Meenakshi KP, San Diego, CA

April 2016 | West Coast Edition | www.indiacurrents.com | 7

words and things

Anatomy of a Mugging By Ragini Tharoor Srinivasan

tranquil scene happening meanwhile. In n March 1st, when my real life, however, this is the moment that daughter, Mrinalini, and I I take umbrage when people plays over and over in your mind. were coming home from ask me if my neighborhood is I thought somebody had fallen on school on a bright, late-winter aftersafe, because what they really me, a neighbor coming in from the street. noon, we were mugged. Then, a split second later, I thought it I use the word advisedly. Mugging are suggesting is that it’s too was a friend sneaking up for a surprise. is a term with a fraught and well-reConfusion. The scene speeds up: I am searched history. It occasioned one of black. I won’t countenance the turning; I am face to face with someone the most well-known studies coming question. Especially now. grabbing me, grabbing what feels like out of the Centre for Contemporary my head, reaching, grasping, pulling; my Cultural Studies at the University of child is still strapped to my chest, and all Birmingham in the late 1970s: Policthe straps of the bags are mixed up. I am inside the front door ing the Crisis: Mugging, the State, and Law and Order. In that work, which means I am too far away from the buzzer to ring for my the authors trace how “mugging” took hold in 1970s Britain as a neighbors. I am not yet inside the second door, which means I racialized label for particular forms of street crime. Although street cannot get away. crime was not at any point limited to black youth, “mugging” Because I resist, and because the teen has to fight me and became an alibi for the policing of black communities, in ways eventually break the purse off my neck by snapping the leather that elided relevant structural conditions including unemployment, strap in two (I sustain minor whiplash and sprained fingers; poverty, education inequities, and complex migration histories. Mrinalini, a cut lip), this is “strong-arm robbery” and not “larI grew up in a fairly homogenous South Bay Area suburb: hoceny-theft.” It is over in minutes, and then the long tedium of mogenous because my neighborhood was relatively affluent, and credit-card-cancellation and new-phone-acquisition begins. because the Bay is a deeply segregated metropolitan area. Since It is no surprise, this mugging, despite the fact that my leaving home, I have lived in four cities that are less segregated, neighborhood is heavily policed. Here, we have the Chicago more urban, and less affluent. I lived for four years on the BerkePolice Department (CPD) and the University of Chicago Police ley-Oakland border, before the most recent wave of tech-spillover Department (UCPD), which is one of the largest private security gentrification, in a mixed area of high and low-income housing. forces in the United States. Just three blocks from our apartment, Now I am living in Hyde Park, the neighborhood of South ChiSecret Service agents sit guard in black Chevrolet Suburbans at cago that also includes the illustrious University of Chicago, but the intersections surrounding the private residence of Barack and which is notoriously surrounded by areas of high crime. Michelle Obama. There are emergency call towers on every block I like where I live, as I liked south Berkeley. I want Mrinalini, and guards at each corner. too, to grow up in a genuinely diverse environment—not just ethLater, I will meet no less than ten different police officers nically, but racially and economically. I take umbrage when people from CPD and UCPD, who arrive on the scene in a split second. ask me if my neighborhood is safe, because what they really are I am given a police report and a case number, but no promise suggesting is that it’s too black. I won’t countenance the question. that they will recover any of my stuff. “This is my beat,” one Especially now. UCPD officer tells me, a little shamefaced. We were walking our usual route home from school: past a They want to know if I can identify the muggers. In this popular commercial complex and then down four blocks to our highly segregated neighborhood, in this highly stratified city, in apartment. Mrinalini—who, at almost three, insists she is a “big which some are policed and some are given a pass, they have no girl”—was nevertheless in an Ergo baby carrier strapped to my dearth of suspects. “They probably live in your neighborhood,” chest like a little joey. Around my neck were her schoolbag filled one officer says. “Will you recognize them? Can you try?” with stale snacks and my leather purse. I won’t, I say. And honestly, I can’t. And I don’t even want to Clearly, the purse attracted the attention of the boys who then try. Worse than being mugged would be internalizing suspicion followed us home. I could call them young men; they were teenand setting the example for my child that there are some bodies agers, somewhere between 15 and 18. They saw the purse and on the street to be wary of. I’ve already been my distracted head inclined toward my daughter’s as the two us mugged. I won’t be complicit in the policing chatted on our walk home. And as soon as I turned the keys in the that ensues. n front door of our six-unit building, they were upon us. In the movies, the moment of encounter when an assailant Ragini Tharoor Srinivasan is a doctoral candidate sneaks up on a victim (jumps from behind a door, or appears, in Rhetoric at UC Berkeley. masked, in a window) passes quickly, and then we are on to a 8 | INDIA CURRENTS | West Coast Edition | April 2016

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politics

What’s Driving “Indian Americans for Trump?” By Arpit Mehta

ith November just a short while away, Americans are excited and nervous about figuring out the next executive of these United States. But united is not what one could call the population. In fact, both parties seem to be having their own civil wars. For the Democrats, Hillary Clinton has the support of many of her peers and the party itself, but progressives and generally-unclassifiable millennials have thrown their support behind Bernie Sanders. In a loosely similar fashion, the Republicans have been split into those supporting Donald Trump and those who do not. What is surprising on the right, however, is that there seems to be a growing faction of Indian Americans unexpectedly supporting the Trump candidacy. Indian Americans for Trump Professor A.D. Amar (Amar Dev Amar), a resident of Warren Township in New Jersey, filed with the Federal Elections Commission earlier this year to launch “Indian-Americans for Trump 2016,” a political action committee aimed to raise awareness and support for Donald Trump. An accomplished and tenured professor at Seton Hall University, Amar previously ran for Congress in 2008, and had supported New Jersey governor Chris Christie’s presidential bid until recently. Upon asking him about his reasons for supporting Donald Trump, Amar expressed that Indian Americans have been increasingly involved in the GOP for quite some time now, and that many are unifying behind Trump for many reasons, but the biggest one seems to be his trade policies.

China’s Currency Manipulation

In 2015, the U.S. trade deficit crossed half a trillion dollars, surpassed only by the all-time record set in 2006. Donald Trump considers China’s currency devaluing as one of the main reasons for this stat. His 14 | INDIA CURRENTS | West Coast Edition | April 2016

platform states that he would label China as a currency manipulator, and reciprocate with an equal tariff as high as 45% by keeping track of any and all devaluing. While that would appear to be a widely accepted position by Americans on both sides of the aisle, this is a policy that has been instituted before. One such example is the 1963 tariff imposed by Lyndon B. Johnson’s executive order, a byproduct of the “Chicken War.”

Chicken Tax

The post-World War II United States had seen a great increase in chicken farming, and so began exporting it worldwide. European countries upset by this placed a tariff on imports, hoping to encourage their local economies to grow. In retaliation, the United States put in place the Chicken Tax, a 25% tariff on imports of potato starch, dextrin, brandy, and light trucks. If that last item seems different than the others, it was. Light trucks were placed on the list as a bargaining tool to boost support for Johnson’s run in 1964 from United Auto Workers (UAW). UAW, worried about increased Volkswagen imports was more than willing to strike a protectionary deal that would ward off competition. While the others have since been removed, the arbitrary high tariff on light trucks continues to remain. The result has been an American oligopoly in the pick-up truck market that’s curtailed innovation and fueled a gray market where auto importers modify trucks after they’ve been brought into the country under a different classification.

Interestingly, Professor Amar brought up UAW as a victim of the current American trade deficit. While Donald Trump hasn’t clarified his stance on unions, the repercussions of the Chicken Tax may shed light on why many blue collar workers support his campaign so readily. Manufacturing has steadily decreased in America, while China has become the world’s manufacturer. While this has been generally beneficial for Americans in terms of lower cost goods, as well as more freedom for present and future generations to pursue innovative avenues, there’s the matter of the old guard who wish to see a return of American manufacturing dominance. It certainly explains the draw to a tagline about making America great again. However, this protectionary mindset will not resonate with the average rightwing voter. Twenty-six mostly-conservative leaning states have right-to-work laws, which prohibit union agreements. Additionally, conservatives echo lower taxes for everyone, perhaps not realizing that a tariff is simply a tax that gets absorbed into the final price. While criticizing Bernie Sanders’ payroll tax increase of 9-64% based on income brackets, Trump supporters seem to be unconcerned about the 15-45%

increase on everyday necessities that would adversely affect middle-class workers. There aren’t enough American manufacturers that could adequately supply enough products at a lower price in such a scenario, which would mean either shortages or price hikes. And that doesn’t even consider how China might retaliate. But while that should concern many conservative voters, it is a valued stance for “Indian Americans for Trump.”

Pulling Strings

Talking about some of the other issues that drive “Indian Americans for Trump,” Dr. Amar said that he appreciated the fact that Donald Trump was running a financially independent campaign. Without anyone pulling strings behind the scenes, he felt certain that this was a legitimate candidacy, as opposed to every other one on both the left and the right. He also talked about Trump’s religious declaration, mentioning that unlike his apparently overzealous counterparts, Trump didn’t prioritize his religion in his platform. For many Indian-Americans who do not fall under the Christian religion this was wellreceived. “He will listen to all sides,” said Dr. Amar.

Chris Christie’s Role

As a New Jersey resident and a previous Chris Christie supporter, he strongly believed that Christie would have a role to play in Trump’s cabinet. It is clearly evident now, but Dr. Amar made this bold claim a couple weeks before Super Tuesday, when most would not have anticipated it. That is certainly a credit to someone shaking up the Indian American community, especially considering that the few conservatives in that realm have sided against Trump. Since Trump isn’t accepting financial contributions, for now, the “Indian Americans for Trump” PAC is focusing solely on proselytizing through media advertising campaigns, volunteer memberships, and grassroots organizing. n Arpit Mehta is a portrait and wedding photographer, as well as a media specialist and consultant to creatives. His passion for writing stems from his desire to better understand the world from a philosophical and logical perspective, which leads him to focus on topics in the fields of politics, economics, spirituality, and technology. He lives in Orange County, CA.

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cover

Erasing the Accent By Geetika Pathania Jain

While it has broken several barriers in introducing us to people of color in an action-packed ABC prime time show, Quantico compromises by having Bollywoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading lady Priyanka Chopra pack a Glock 17, a white name, and a muddled accent. Whereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the Indian in Alex Parrish?

Photo Courtesy: ABC 16 | INDIA CURRENTS | West Coast Edition | April 2016

n the late seventies, Mumbai-born Persis Khambatta cried after she had to lose her lovely, beauty-queen locks so she could play the role of Lieutenant Ilia, the bald Deltan alien in Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Last year, Priyanka Chopra had to lose her Indian accent for her role as Alex Parrish, FBI recruit, in ABC’s Quantico. As Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins could tell us, losing the accent is no easy task. Priyanka, acknowledged in a USA Today interview: “The one thing that I did have to work on for Alex was definitely my American accent, which was a task, man. That was one big thing.” Priyanka Chopra’s hybrid accent has drawn attention in the Indian media. “Her accent is that of a shuddh desi Splitsvilla aspirant—you know, the one that sounds like a cross between Sonia Gandhi and Salman Khan,” wrote Piyasree Dasgupta of First Post. “What’s with that accent Priyanka Chopra?” queried a Hindustan Times headline after the Quantico trailer came out in May of 2015. It seems that despite all that work with a dialect coach, when she says “My name is Alex Parrish. Protecting my country has always been my dream” you could be forgiven for asking: which country exactly? But that’s just like teasing the new kid in school. And as a daughter of physicians in the Indian Army, used to frequent moves as part of Army ‘postings’ in farflung bases such as Ambala and Ladakh, she’s been that new kid a lot. She also spent her teenage years in Boston, here in the United States. Priyanka recalls this time as a difficult one in a 2012 International Business Times article, “I Was Bullied in High School for Being Browny: Priyanka Chopra.” Possibly, she was teased for her Indian accent. And her Indian name.

Erasing the Old Country

While her Muslim on-screen colleague Raina is literally draped with identifiers of her faith, Alex does not wear a bindi and instead sports an all-American persona. Raina Amin, played with a brittle anger by Yasmine Al Massri, speaks English with a strong accent and rolls out her prayer mat in a convincingly devout fashion. Alex Parrish, by contrast, appears to have assimilated completely into America. So enthusiastically has she erased the old country that rather than being a second

generation half-Indian, she could easily have arrived, Star Trek style, from outer space. It is only when she is accused of a terrorist plot to bomb Grand Central Station that ethnic origins of Alex Parrish come under closer scrutiny, as the media interview her “Indian mother,” and speculate about her time in Mumbai. Parrish begins to wonder if her mother was part of ISI, the Pakistani intelligence wing, but the file that might help her find out disappears from her bag. While nothing at Quantico is as it appears, it is still somewhat disheartening that the main context so far within which cultural identifiers exist is that of terror, with religiosity serving as a convenient proxy for terrorism. “Whether or not Indian characters are a way of safely avoiding the specter of other, more ‘dangerous’ brown people, the fact that South Asian actors can easily pass for Middle Easterners may very well be contributing to their professional development.” Says Nina Rastogi in a Slate article “Beyond Apu:Why are there suddenly so many Indians on television?” Given that American audiences seem to have an insatiable appetite for watching terror-themed TV shows, this could mean that the search for browner skins could spread the casting net wider. Enter “safe” Alex Parrish from Oakland, California, unthreatening brown FBI cadet, scrubbed clean of all cultural identifiers. The series also provides Raina’s sister, Nimah, with a more assimilated persona. She does not wear a head-covering garment, is seen drinking alcohol, and making snarky statements about not wanting to spend her holidays stuck in the kitchen cooking for the men. Unlike Raina, who appears inscrutable and somewhat more sinister, Nimah is the safe, assimilated Muslim girl who is in the inner circle of friends for Alex Parrish, another safe, as-

Priyanka Chopra in Quantico

similated immigrant.

Issues of Representation

That geopolitical anxieties inform popular culture has been in solid evidence since the genres of “stop that terrorist” like 24, or Homeland. To do so with a multicultural cast that is a nod to the audience takes additional skill. Quantico’s cast is diverse in a way that the Oscar nominations

April 2016 | West Coast Edition | www.indiacurrents.com | 17

tico, where the four cadets who haven’t gone home for the holidays bond over alcohol. Assimilated Nimah joins Shelby, the Southern belle, Natalie Vasquez, the Hispanic cadet, and our very own halfdesi Alex Parrish, for a foursome of dormroom drinking. Merry Christmas! Cue the beer ad.

this year weren’t. A small challenge to the premise of the #OscarsSoWhite movement is a Pixar short film called Sanjay’s Super Team, directed by Sanjay Patel, which was nominated for the Best Animated Short, but did not win. In the short, a shape-shifting demon is pitted against Hanuman, Durga and Vishnu. “Now I can talk about how awkward and ashamed I felt about my identity and my skin color and my parents’ culture,” says Patel in an interview with Charles Solomon for the New York Times. Patel adds, “A father wanting his son to appreciate things that are old and a child enamored with things that are new is a universal experience.” Another, even smaller challenge to the #OscarsSoWhite: following in the footsteps of beauty queen Persis Khambatta, the first Indian to present at the Oscars in 1980, comes beauty queen Priyanka Chopra who presented at the 2016 Academy Awards. Sanjay Patel’s reference to universal themes with cultural specificity appear to be the emerging trend in other recent films. Mahesh Pailoor, director of Brahmin Bulls makes a similar point. Says Pailoor, “The goal was to tell an American story that had a multi-cultural cast. Although the lead characters are Indian American, their Indian heritage adds a specificity to their respective characters, but it doesn’t define their central conflict.” This formula seems to reflect the programming philosophy of at least one network, ABC, which has been praised for comedies focusing on people of color, such as Black-ish and Fresh Off the Boat and the Shonda Rhimes shows. As the first South Asian woman to headline an American network series, Priyanka Chopra seems unconcerned about the weight of collective South Asian expectations that fall upon her. While praising ABC for its push for diversity, she stated in an article penned by Reid Na18 | INDIA CURRENTS | West Coast Edition | April 2016

kamura for The Wrap: “I wanted to do a show which gave me the respect of being an actor, instead of casting me for the color of my skin or what I look like.” She would prefer that people look at her in a colorblind way. In this context, NY Times TV critic James Poniewozik argues for “the decline of the idea of “colorblindness”—art exists to help us see, after all—in favor of color awareness.” He goes on to state that “sometimes that means diversity across TV rather than within every show.” To his credit, Aziz Ansari’s Master of None does not try to carefully erase his Indian-American identity “Sometimes race comes to the fore—as in the episode “Indians on TV,” which, according to Poniewozik, critiques the idea that “there can only be one” character of a given minority background on a show.” In another instance, Ansari mentions how little money his father had when he arrived in the United States and compares the sum to the cost of cold-pressed juice. There is awe in his voice. He is proud of his immigrant dad. Likewise, Mindy Kaling’s frequent forays into the world of ABCD (American born confused desi) alienation acknowledges this hybrid culture while providing fodder for her comedy. Mindy Kaling’s character Kelly Kapoor invites her Office coworkers to a Diwali party, where people wear kurtas, take off their shoes and listen to Dwight Schrute explain the religious significance of Diwali. No Diwali in Quan-

Industry Structures and Strategies in a Global Landscape

Clearly, issues of immigrant identity are not a central concern for Josh Safran, the writer and executive director of Quantico. The New York Times reports that “In 2014-2015, according to the Directors Guild of America, 69 percent of TV episodes were directed by white men. And few drama creators at cable’s prestige networks—HBO, Showtime, FX, AMC, et al—are minorities.” These statistics remain troubling insofar as the push for diversity, both on-screen and off-screen, was an attempt to include a greater variety of stories of people of color. “If we don’t tell our stories, no one else will,” Mira Nair said emphatically in an interview with me, (published in this magazine) back in April 2013. As for Quantico, it appears that looking hot is one of the main expectations from Priyanka Chopra. So, while Karthik Ramkrishnan, professor of public policy and political science at the University of California at Irvine and founder of AAPI Data, a resource for statistical information on Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders,

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sheim, a Jewish gangster in Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby. Then there’s Venkat Kapoor. Ring a bell? A STEM star in The Martian. Played by Nigerian-British actor Chiwetal Ejiofore. Not what we pictured a product of a “Two States” type North-South India romance. In Peter Brook’s Mahabharata, the diversity of actors caused consternation. Used to seeing Ramanand Sagar’s comfortingly familiar Ramayana characters, the sight of the global cast that included the Senegalese Mamadou Dioume playing Bhima, the African-German Miriam Goldschmidt playing Kunti and other Greek, Italian, Polish and English actors was received with some trepidaCongratulatory tweets on winning the People’s Choice Award tion. Art transcends boundaries. wants the world to know that Indians are And in a global media landscape, global not exotic, not in the monkey-brain eat- talent roams the world, seeking the best ing way of Indiana Jones and the Temple of opportunities. “I want to go wherever my Doom (1984), Priyanka Chopra is cast as work takes me,” says Priyanka Chopra to exotic in a super-sexy sort of way, much Lorena Blas in a USA Today article. “I want like in her music video, Exotic. This is a to be able to tell stories globally, entertain pity. For an actor of Priyanka Chopra’s cal- globally. Hopefully, this is a step in that iber, whose roles as an autistic girl in Barfi direction.” Perhaps a closer look at changing deor the femme fatale in Saat Khoon Maaf or as an aspiring fashion model in the film mographics would be fruitful. There were Fashion show a versatility and spark, the less than half a million Indian-Americans role of a hot female Jason Bourne seems in 1980, the year that Persis Khambatta became the first Indian citizen to present rather underwhelming. Many factors contribute to interna- an Academy award. By 2010, that number tional casting. Commenting on the influx had grown to 3.2 million, according to of actors from outside the United States, Karthick Ramakrishnan and the US CenRichard Hicks, the New York-based presi- sus Bureau. dent of the Casting Society of America and a member of the British Academy of Film Reception of Quantico I asked several forty-something female and Television Arts, told the New York friends who watched the Oscars what they Times that “a lot of actors from overseas thought of Quantico and Priyanka Choare scoring in America” because of trainpra. Reactions to Priyanka Chopra were ing ... Hollywood is also focused on the mostly positive, but to the show itself, world audience in a way that it wasn’t just less so. Shaila Menezes of Santa Clara dea few years ago.” Finally, he says: “I’d also scribed Quantico’s structural characteristics add technology as a reason. Casting people of multiple, non-chronological timelines have been able to cast a much wider net, if as ‘dizzying.’ “The show Quantico was all you will, as video has advanced.” too confusing for me. Not a big fan of this Unusual casting choices abound in genre. I found it hard to keep up with the popular culture. Aishwarya Rai, who, like lightning fast twists and pace and the mind Priyanka, is a recipient of India’s highest civilian award, the Padma Shri, was cast games, but that’s exactly what the younger as Sonia Solandres, a mysterious diamond generation craves for, I am guessing.” And expert in the film Pink Panther 2. Amitabh Priyanka? “Priyanka Chopra is gutsy and Bachchan had a cameo as Meyer Wolf- gorgeous.”

Shaila’s friend Radhika Sarang of Cupertino echoed this sentiment: “In a show where there are more twists, turns, dips and dives than I care to remember, Priyanka Chopra brought much needed clarity with her glamor, acting—yes acting and Bollywood pizzaz.” But Radhika thought that the other actors on Quantico were so bad that they needed to “move to Bombay to learn how to emote without facial paralysis.” Radhikha said she would watch Quantico again in the upcoming season, “not to figure out who the bomber is but to check out stylish, credible FBI agent Parrish.” Another friend, Leena Sujan, was excited at the possibilities opened up by Priyanka Chopra’s “tough and sexy” character. “Priyanka Chopra has broken the stereotypes of Indians in Hollywood. Priyanka’s character is of a powerful, tough, well educated, smart, sexy woman who is not scared to have sex with a stranger in a car just because she feels like it. Typically, Indians have been cast as nerds or doctors. Indian women have been depicted as victims of abuse or quiet wallflowers in the background.”

Thanks, Mr. Safran

So Mr. Safran, thanks for the diverse cast of Quantico. Thanks for an AfricanAmerican FBI director played by Aunjanue Ellis, an only slightly more maternal version of Viola Davis in How to Get Away With Murder. Thanks for Muslim twins who keep the good-cop, bad-cop dynamic within the family, a Mormon, a Jewish guy, a gay guy, a Hispanic couple and a female Vice-Presidential candidate. Thanks for giving us the fierce and resourceful second-generation half-Indian Alex Parrish. Thanks for casting Priyanka Chopra, Army brat, product of modern India, who grew up with a working mother and an incredible work ethic. Quantico challenges low levels of representation and stereotypes for women of color. But here’s the thing. I can deal with a self-hating Alex Parrish who makes fun of her mom and refuses to wear a bindi. Just don’t erase her Indianness like it doesn’t exist. n Geetika Pathania Jain, Ph.D. is a frequent contributor to India Currents magazine. Thanks to frequent moves as a child, she now feels at home pretty much anywhere.

April 2016 | West Coast Edition | www.indiacurrents.com | 21

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perspective

Where Are You From? By Veenu Puri-Vermani

here are you from? I am often asked. I smile at the familiar question and reply instantaneously, “from San Diego.” I love the reactions I get to my answer. Some hesitate and nod while others gear up the courage to ask “I meant originally, like where you were born?” Ah, I sigh, like I didn’t imagine they were asking that and then respond “New Delhi in India.” Having lived in Southern California for 12 years, this is an all too familiar interaction. I admit that do enjoy it each time. There are many others. “So do you work in IT?” or “Are you a software engineer?” I once responded with “So you asked that because I am of Indian origin?” That instantaneously made the person defensive. However, the questions do leave me wondering. Am I from San Diego or from New Delhi? I have spent half of my adult life in San Diego, California and it feels familiar, secure and home like. After a vacation, I like coming back here. On the other hand, even after 12 years, when the plane touches the runway at New Delhi and they announce the arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, my eyes get moist and a whirlwind of emotions rush through me. As I ride through the over-crowded streets of New Delhi and our car zig zags through crazy traffic, I smile at the familiar scenes. No one follows the rules and drivers accomplish the unimaginable task of maneuvering through narrow gaps between overwhelming, over-swelled traffic. As horns honk in the background, I take it all in, the smells, the air, which in reality is probably very hazardous, but I feel at peace for I have reached home. In all the chaos, there is the security of familiarity. For two weeks, we soak in India. With each trip back I find myself more curious. Though, most recently, when I visited

24 | INDIA CURRENTS | West Coast Edition | April 2016

New Delhi I was a little disheartened. I didn’t necessarily assimilate, or so I thought. I visited familiar places desperately trying to connect and they didn’t seem as familiar. Has everything moved on, while I am still stuck where and when I left 12 years ago? I now also feel certain dilemmas. I hesitate when I sit on a cycle rickshaw (a cycle with a seat behind, pedaled by someone) and question if its the right thing to do. He is pulling our heavy weight that pumps out every ounce of strength from him, but he is making an honorable living and not begging like many others. I talk to the women who come to clean the house. I have brought some lightly used clothes and toys to give away. I don’t pretend that I am doing them any favors. They are doing a favor to me. My kids have grown out of their Indian fancy clothes. Instead of these clothes getting wasted or occupying precious real estate, they will be used by someone more judiciously. They thank me profusely and I feel guilty but I keep quiet. After meals when we pick up our

A Creative Commons Image

The food still tastes great in India, but I complain of stomach aches. I feel disoriented. I wonder what is missing. Why are there fewer and fewer things that I can relate to now? dishes, we are warned that we are spoiling the servants. Domestic help is very common in every Indian household. A crisis brews, if for some reason the maid doesn’t come one day. Frantic calls, phones constantly ringing across apartments from one to another, contemplating, guessing and praying that she will somehow make it. This is familiar, but seems all too unnecessary. My boys sit in a corner, observe, laugh and compare everything. They enjoy how they don’t have to move a limb. For them it is a “vacation” and for me it is a

“visit home,” or is it? I get caught in the monsoon showers, one day. It feels fine to get drenched in it. The water is warm and very clean. The weather is humid and hot, but it all feels right. Monsoons in Delhi bring back a host of memories. Memories of growing up here, memories of myself as a little girl dressed in a school uniform with a raincoat that barely covered me, standing at the bus stop waiting for the school bus. Memories of a group of friends walking to the nearest tea and snack stall from college paying no heed to the pouring rain, running back in the rain to get home from work, my mother standing at the corner of the road with an umbrella, trying hard to spot me in the crowd walking back from the bus stop. Memories of hot tea and warm sizzling savories in a cozy and loving home where we daughters didn’t have to lift a finger. They are all wonderful memories. The city beckons and embraces. As a teenager, I would haggle with the vendors selling trinkets on Janpath, Connaught place. I go back wandering and wondering what to buy. I can’t figure any-

thing out. I no longer understand what the right price should be and am completely lost. I try a few times to haggle but I give in easily. Food has been something I look forward to every India trip. I have my favorite places. I have always complained of not getting good Indian meals in San Diego. The food still tastes great in India, but I complain of stomach aches. I feel disoriented. I wonder what is missing. Why are there fewer and fewer things that I can relate to now? It’s a disturbing feeling. I visit the University in Delhi where I went to college. I look around and a sense of joy surges in me. The surroundings are familiar. I walk through the Delhi School of Economics campus and stop at the cafeteria and enjoy a cup of coffee. I walk up to the students and chat with them. They are curious. I tell them about myself and they laugh and make jokes as I tell them a few anecdotes from the past. I blend in. In the course of conversation, they sound a bit discontented, though, and tell me that life sucks for them. They ask me how I managed to go abroad. They want to do the same. They say they want to get

out. They are young and have plans and dreams. I discourage them and tell them they should find a life here. They probably think I am a hypocrite. At the end of the two weeks, I still leave with a heavy heart but no longer sure why? I have an insatiable appetite for Delhi and I can’t get past. I promise myself that I will visit more often. I promise myself that next time would be better. There is a strong bond, a bucket load of childhood and young adult memories that are still holding me tight. I reassure myself that I will find the Delhi that exists underneath this charade that throws me away, a Delhi that I will be able to reconnect to, more easily. We have a six-hour layover at Chicago. As I stand in queue to get coffee, a middle aged Persian lady behind me strikes up a conversation. “So, where are you from?” she asks. “New Delhi, India,” I say, without hesitation “but now I live in San Diego,” I clarify. n

Veenu Puri-Vermani is an analytics professional from San Diego, CA who also loves to write.

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books

Educated Women By Jeanne E. Fredriksen

BEFORE WE VISIT THE GODDESS by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2016. 240 pages. List price $25. Simonandschuster.com chitradivakaruni.com. Released April 2016.

ne day in 1995, Bela Dewan telephones her mother outside of Kolkota, begging her to talk sense into Tara, the granddaughter she’s only seen in photographs. Tara wants to quit college, and Bela, in Houston, is terrified that her daughter is making a mistake and throwing away her future—just as she had. Unable to communicate face-to-face, Sabitri begins to write a letter to Tara, explaining why she should stay in school, and as she writes, memories return of her own life as a servant’s daughter who dreamed of an education. She spares herself no criticism in her memoir. So begins Before We Visit the Goddess by award-winning and best-selling author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. The three generations of women on two continents comprise one family, fractured by an insurmountable distance born of prickly relations between mothers and daughters. Sabitri, born and raised in India, tested but not broken, never leaves the country. Bela, born and raised in India, elopes to America to her political activist boyfriend who forces her to sever ties with her mother. Tara, born and raised in America, struggles to find self-significance on her own terms. Goddess is a bittersweet collection of nine related short stories stretching from 1963 to 2020, featuring different points of view at different times in the characters’ histories. Divakaruni, the author of 16 previous books, found stepping out of her comfort zone and into a novel-in-stories rewarding. “I have long loved reading this form in works such as Louise Erdrich’s wonderful Love Medicine, and Jennifer Egan’s 26 | INDIA CURRENTS | West Coast Edition | April 2016

A Visit from the Goon Squad,” Divakaruni explained. “It combines the best aspects, for me, of the novel and the short story. It allowed me to deal with a three-generational family saga in a succinct and (I hope) elegant manner. It allowed me to leap from across decades in some cases, and yet create a sense of continuity through the generations and continents where these women live.” Structured in this way, the book is able to focus on the most important and most dramatic decisions, events, and realizations in the characters’ lives. Misunderstandings, missed opportunities, and missteps, as well as each character’s regrets, successes, and personal victories are carefully revealed and painstakingly examined from one story to the next. Moreover, “Goddess” is a portrait of how we, as women, fail ourselves and what we lose in our lives when we

turn away from our elders—and vice versa. “[Those are] important aspects in the lives of these … women that I wanted to illuminate,” said Divakaruni in e-correspondence. “In addition, I wanted the book to ask the questions, What is the meaning of success for a woman? What gives her happiness? Does this change as we moved from generation to generation and from India to America? Is it possible to learn from inherited wisdom, or does each generation have to find wisdom the hard way?” The topic of immigration is nothing new in literature; however, according to Divakaruni, it’s the changes caused by such movement as they affect the individuals and their families, the losses and the gains, that interest her the most. What better way to explore that concept than by placing one character firmly in India, the second straddling continents, and the third firmly in America? To tie the characters together as three generations of one family adds another dimension. “I am also fascinated by inter-generational relationships,” Divakaruni added, “and in my own life I am very aware of how my relationship with my children is very different from the relationship I have with my mother.” The novel traces the author’s own geographical route as it moves from a small village in Bengal to California and then to Texas, where she currently lives and teaches. Education plays a significant role in the lives of Sabitri, Bela, and Tara—the desire, the regret, the second chance. When asked if education is one of the book’s focal points because she’s an educator, or might it be a comment on gender politics, Divakaruni responded, “Both, really.” Education was always essential in her

family. Divakaruni teaches at the University of Houston, where she is the McDavid Professor of Creative Writing, her mother was a schoolteacher, and one of her uncles taught college in a village in India. “I came from a family of very modest financial means, but my mother always made sure that I had a good education, even if she had to skimp on clothing and housing—and sometimes even food,” Divakaruni said. Involved with Pratham, a non-profit which educates underprivileged children in the slums of India, and Daya, a domestic violence organization in Houston, Divakaruni likewise brings to this work primary insight into myriad issues facing single women/single mothers and the means to empowerment. “I know that education is often an individual’s only path to success and transformation. So Sabitri’s longing for education is something that rises from deep within myself,” Divakaruni said. “I also learned, by observing the women around me … that economic independence, a ca-

reer or business, is extremely important for women if they are to live a life of dignity. All of these thoughts, feelings and beliefs are interwoven into the lives of the three main characters.” The losses and successes in the stories are the characters’ own responsibility as much as they are attributed to any outside relationships. Actions beget subsequent actions, positive or negative, and the daisychain of events affects succeeding generations. Mix in a helping of fate, and the complexity magnifies. “That is what I wanted to depict in this novel: an intersection of fate, which we cannot control, and our passions and desires, which push us inexorably in a certain direction, even when we know it’s wrong,” said Divakaruni. Divakaruni has created characters to be embraced despite their difficulties with each other; learned from when they stumble and fall; and celebrated as they pick themselves up again. There is grace and compassion in her writing as emotions spike and subside. Life-changing disap-

pointments are tempered with kindness, and at no time does the author chastise a character for her imperfections; she allows her characters to learn from their mistakes and restore their lives as best they can. As for what she hopes readers will glean from reading “Goddess”, she said, “When I write a book, I don’t have a particular agenda. I’m really only offering the readers a story, a story that interested and moved me, because I believe that through stories we understand the world in a deeper, richer way. I hope the stories of these three women, and the men who love, support, transform and/or betray them, will touch the hearts of readers and make them examine their own lives anew.” n Jeanne E. Fredriksen lives in Wake Forest, North Carolina, where she is the managing editor of a monthly newspaper and is a Books for Youth reviewer for Booklist magazine, a publication of the American Library Association. Between assignments, she writes fiction, hunts for the perfect Bloody Mary, and heads to the beach as often as she can.

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excerpt

Beggars Can’t be Choosers: 1973 An excerpt from the novel Before We Visit the Goddess By Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

hen Bela arrived in the United States at the age of nineteen, carrying papers that falsely claimed she was a tourist, Sanjay was the only person she knew in the whole country. He wasn’t her husband yet; the plan was for them to marry as soon as she got here. She was crazy about him—how else to account for this desperate thing she had done? But perhaps she didn’t trust him all the way, because when the airplane landed in San Francisco, her palms were slick with sweat. Where would she turn if he wasn’t out in the lobby waiting for her? But there he stood, on the other side of the frosted double doors, thinner than she remembered, his scruffy student beard replaced by a trim, responsible-looking mustache—grown, he later told her, so that Americans would take him seriously. He looked as worried as she felt. It struck her that he, too, had had his doubts. Would she really give up, for his sake, everything she was familiar with? Drop out of college? Cut herself off from her mother—a wound never to be totally healed, because that’s the kind of woman her mother was? Bela had thought she knew what love felt like, but when she saw Sanjay at the airport after six long months, her heart gave a great, hurtful lurch, as though it was trying to leap out of her body to meet him. This, she thought. This is it. But it was only part of the truth. She would learn over the next years that love can feel a lot of different ways, and sometimes it can hurt a lot more. But on that day the lurching made her forget the cart with her suitcase on it and run through the crowd to Sanjay. She threw her arms around him the way she never could have done in Kolkata and kissed him on the mouth. No one cat-called. No one harassed them or took umbrage or even noticed, except for an old man who offered them a pensive smile. 28 | INDIA CURRENTS | West Coast Edition | April 2016

When she had enough breath to speak again, Bela said to Sanjay, “I think I’m going to be happy in America.” And he, smiling, said, “I know you will.” But Bela had been wrong. Someone else had noticed them kissing, and once she surfaced, she noticed him, too. He was taller than Sanjay and more muscular; his mustache, though similar to Sanjay’s (so similar that later she would wonder if Sanjay had copied him), was aggressively luxurious. Next to him, Sanjay appeared young and inexperienced, not much more than a boy. Bela had never thought of Sanjay in that way. In Kolkata, he’d been the student leader of an important political party, someone people respected and even feared. His new American avatar made her uncomfortable. The man had been watching their reunion with a mildly sardonic expression. Now he said, “Shonu, go get the cart before someone steals that suitcase.” Sanjay’s smile grew embarrassed and he nodded sheepishly.“Yes, Bishu-da.” And suddenly Bela knew who he was: Bishwanath Bhaduri, Sanjay’s childhood friend in Kolkata, his next door neighbor and mentor; his—and thus, her—savior. Her face burned because the first thing he had seen her do was behave in such a wild way. Bishu loaded the bag into the trunk of his car. “This is really light,” he said. Bela flushed, not sure if the comment was compliment or reproof. She’d had to pack in a rush; it had been hard to find a time when both her mother and Rekha the maid were out of the house. She had thrown in a few salwar kameezes and saris, a couple of sweaters, and her dance costume, though she would probably never get a chance to wear it. At the last moment, with the taxi

already honking for her downstairs, she’d snatched up—guiltily, because it wasn’t really hers—the family photo album from the almirah in the living room. Now she wished she had thought to pick up gifts—a couple of packets, at the very least, of the hot dalmoot mix that Sanjay loved. Bela climbed into the back. The men had offered her the front passenger seat, but she was still mortified. She wrapped the end of her sari around her shoulders. She hadn’t thought it would be this cold in California. At the airport, she had been too flustered to take note of her surroundings; now she longed to see what America looked like. But they were speeding along a dark freeway and there wasn’t much to observe except arced light-posts that loomed up suddenly, looking like they belonged on the set of a science fiction movie, and disappeared just as fast. The men spoke about work, Bishu telling Sanjay that he tended to trust people too easily. Bela tried hard to stay awake, but jetlag had her in its leaden grasp. The conversation up front had turned to Bengal politics, something about police encounters. The men’s tones grew truculent. She tried to shut them out and thought she heard, faraway, her mother calling. By now Sabitri would have received the goodbye note Bela had entrusted to Bishu’s friend in Kolkata, the one who helped her get her passport and ticket. Sabitri would be very angry. n Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is an awardwinning and bestselling author, poet, activist and teacher of writing. Her work has been published in over 50 magazines, including the Atlantic Monthly and The New Yorker, and her writing has been included in over 50 anthologies, including The Best American Short Stories, the O.Henry Prize Stories and the Pushcart Prize Anthology.

relationship diva

Five Tips for Flirting with Confidence By Jasbina Ahluwalia

I find it very difficult to flirt with guys. I often feel as though I’m coming across too strong when I show interest and not strong enough when I pull back.

communication with him regularly. While initiating communication multiple times a day is likely to seem obsessive, too little communication might signify you just see him as a friend. 3. Show Him You’re a Happy Person: Men care about the happiness of the women in their lives; and also like to feel they can win with you. When a man who has an interest in you perceives you as a happy person, he feels set up for success. Don’t hold back from laughing at his jokes, and throwing in a few of your own to lighten the mood. Playful, fun teasing can also serve you well. Giving genuine compliments also adds to a positive vibe. 4. Show Him You’re Comfortable in Your Own Skin: Dressing in a skin tight mini skirt and tube top might send the wrong message, but a tastefully cut neckline and well-fitting jeans can help him appreciate your comfort with your

Striking a balance between greenlighting guys in a confident manner, and not pushing them away by coming off too strong, can be an effective way to approach flirting. 1. Make Eye Contact and Smile: According to a study done at Cornell University, maintaining eye contact with someone creates a strong sense of connection on a subconscious level. Use this to your advantage by looking at him when talking. Be sure to keep a smile on your face as well, as 96 percent of people believe that having a nice smile makes someone more attractive to the opposite sex. 2. Talk to Him Regularly: Show him you are interested by maintaining

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body. Always make sure you feel beautiful when around him, whether that means doing your hair, wearing makeup (most men prefer natural-looking); or just embracing your body with what you choose to wear. 5. Touch Him: Human beings are wired to respond to touch, so it only makes sense to throw this into your flirting repertoire. Pat his arm when he says something funny or give him a comforting hug if he’s having a rough day. Keep your body language open and friendly to silently invite him to touch you back. n

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ask a lawyer

Disability Allowances at Work By Bobby Shukla

Q A

I have an illness and require accommodations at work. What are my rights?

California law prohibits employers from discriminating against employees due to a disability, which includes failing to reasonably accommodate a disability. Once an employer has notice of a potential need to accommodate, it is required to engage in a good-faith interactive process to determine whether a reasonable accommodation exists. An interactive process simply means communication between employer and employee (or the employeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health care provider) about work limitations and how they might be accommodated. Both the employer and the employee are required to participate in the interactive process in good faith to determine a reasonable accommodation. A reasonable accommodation is a measure that would allow a disabled employee

30 | INDIA CURRENTS | West Coast Edition | April 2016

to perform the essential functions of the job without causing undue hardship on the employer. Reasonable accommodations may include adjusting a work space, buying or modifying equipment, adjusting work policies, modifying a work schedule or providing or extending an unpaid leave of absence If you are able to perform the essential functions of your job with reasonable accommodation, in most circumstances, your employer must return you to your job. Essential job functions refer to the fundamental job duties of an individual position. A function is typically regarded as essential if the position exists, in whole or in part, to perform that function. An employer may deny an accommodation based on undue hardship if it shows that the accommodation requires significant difficulty or expense to the employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business operations. While an employer must provide an ac-

commodation unless it causes undue hardship, it is not, however, obligated to provide you with your preferred accommodation. Your employer has the discretion to choose a different accommodation as long as it is also reasonable and effective. Your employer is also not required to create a position or remove an employee from his or her position to accommodate you. If you believe you are able to do your job with reasonable accommodation and your employer refuses to return you to work, you should consult with an attorney to explore potential remedies. n Disclaimer: The information provided here is generalized and not for purposes of providing legal advice. Bobby Shukla represents individuals in employment law matters. She can be reached at (415) 986-1338.

Legal visa dates Important Note: U.S. travelers seeking visas to India will now need to obtain them through Cox & Kings Global Services Pvt. Ltd. Call 1-866-978-0055, email enquiriesusa@ckgs.com or visit www.in.ckgs.us for more information.

April 2016

his column carries final action dates and other transitional information as taken from the U.S. State Department’s Visa Bulletin. The information below is from the Visa Bulletin for April 2016.

In the tables below, the listing of a date for any class indicates that the class is oversubscribed. “Current” means that numbers are available for all qualified applicants.

FAMILY PREFERENCE VISA DATES Preference Dates for India 1st Sep 22, 2008 2A Oct 22, 2014 2B Jun 15, 2009 3rd Nov 22, 2004 4th Jul 22, 2003 NOTE: F2A numbers subject to percountry limit are available to applicants beginning with priority dates beginning Jul 22, 2014 and earlier than Oct 22, 2014.

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opinion

Love ya Arranged? By Shachi Patel

f the questions that Americans ask that can annoy me, one of the most irritating is likely to be “Is yours an arranged marriage?” which trails only the legendary “Are there really elephants on the road?” I still clearly remember hearing that question for the first time. Soon after arriving in America for my masters program, I visited a beauty salon. Although, I truly couldn’t afford a visit to a salon as a fresh off-the-boater with a meager RA salary, I scraped off a few pennies here and there to look more presentable during a close relative’s wedding A Creative Commons Image by Johan Bichel Lindegaard and my own engagement. After learning about my upcoming I opposed arranged martrip to the East Coast and my engagement, riages because it seemed the beautician, with her eyes filled with apprehension, asked me “Is your engage- like an impersonal and ment an arranged one? By your parents?” elaborate system of choosBlushing, with a smile and beaming with pride, I answered with an emphatic “No ing the most important way! I would NEVER go through an arperson in our lives. It also ranged marriage. Ours is a love marriage!” I still remember the sigh of relief on seemed like a cookie cutter her face before she moved on to “So excitapproach to match making. ing! How did you guys meet?” Two decades of experience have now taught me that the beautician’s concern or the other! over arranged marriages was unwarranted. Looking back I realize that, while I had Now I understand that the success of a rejected a “suitable boy” here and there on marriage doesn’t solely rely on the mogrounds of “chemistry” and “connection” ment and circumstances of how one meets or lack thereof, my strong desire for love one’s spouse. marriage was not romanticism inspired by I am still thankful to my parents who cheesy Mills and Boon fictions or by Disallowed me to wait for the right person. ney styled princess fairy tales. I opposed While I am happy that I arrived at a “love” arranged marriages because it seemed like marriage that is still filled with love, I have an impersonal and elaborate system of also come to respect any strong, stable, choosing the most important person in and symbiotic marriage or long term reour lives. It also seemed like a cookie cutlationship. ter approach to match making. To be fair, I find that the question I remember one wise uncle lectur“Love Ya Arranged?” is quite prevalent ing me, “There should be 10 points on within Indian social circles too. the checklist for any boy and if you can The question is somewhat inaccurate check off six or seven off them, he is good since it implies that you can have only one enough!” He implied that connection and 34 | INDIA CURRENTS | West Coast Edition | April 2016

chemistry were baseless ideas and would leave me a spinster for the rest of my life! I am confident that my two lovely children will have a good laugh when they hear that story at an appropriate age. Just by the fact that the practice of arranged marriages is still around gives validity to the functions and outcomes of the system. But, at the same it time, it must be acknowledged that the system has huge holes. The checklists for consideration of prospects don’t account for individual characteristics, personalities and sensitivities. A well educated girl may not score high on those checklists if she were dusky. A wealthy boy with bad habits or substance dependency could easily score higher than a hardworking middle class boy. Let’s not even get started on the caste factor, let alone religion or astrology. The issue with arranged marriages is that it doesn’t always guarantee a thorough examination of a candidate. Some factors trump others when it comes to the desirability of the match. One case in point is the attractiveness of access to America. If there is a green card or H1 or F1 or even an illegal chance of emigration to America then many a time even the checklists are abandoned. I know of a case where parents happily gave away their girl to the family of a boy with H1/F1 despite the fact that the families met for the first time just a week prior. What happened to the usual insistence on families getting to know each other because “marriage is between two families?” So it seems that rules are easily shaken by a whiff of a green card or buck. That makes me wonder about matchmaking in the United States. Dating in the west is an elaborate system with its own rules and protocols. There are many dos and don’ts, how tos, and columns offered by “experts” that

guide the naïve through a veritable “jungle.” Expert advice ranges from “what to wear on a first date” and “how to converse to making a lasting impact” and “the right amount of eye contact during the date” to “who should pay.” Just like the way a well-meaning aunt advises the young girl on how best to roast a papad without a single blemish, the dating expert advises on colors, necklines, and styles to wear on dates. The barrage of protocols follows through the afterlife of the first date. If you call too soon, you are desperate, and if you take your time the other person has moved on. In essence, we conform to many preexisting norms in order to be successful. The process of evaluating a dating prospect is similar to the checklist analysis of arranged marriages, except that there is no support system of parents and aunts to help do the homework. In the case of arranged marriages, there is at least a clear verdict on the success of the match, transmitted through the friendly neighborhood aunt. Daters, on the other hand, simply have to keep

looking at their phones obsessively for that “Gr8 fun. Wanna hang out L8R?” text to arrive. Then there is the virtual world of matchmaking through the likes of Match. com, eHarmony.com, Zoosk.com or OkCupid.com, Dil Mil and more. Among these services, eHarmony.com is responsible for a whopping one million marriages and an additional million long term relationships within just 15 years of its existence. The company claims that the divorce rates amongst its users (customers) is very low compared to the average. A meager 3.8%—roughly a tenth of the normal divorce rate in America, which ranges between 30% to 50%. While the success of a marriage in any society should not be measured by the divorce rate, yet it offers a significant insight on what works and what doesn’t when it comes to long term relationships. So how does eHarmony do it? They have an exhaustive questionnaire with up to two to three hundred questions, based on psychological and clinical research and data, that the user needs to fill out. Based on information provided by the user, it’s

complex algorithm matches users based on the compatibility factor rather than what the user thinks she or he prefers. Sounds awfully familiar doesn’t it? That lengthy questionnaire in essence is merely a weeding out list. I’ve learned that whether one gets to know one’s partner through a friend or complex lines of code, it still is only a starting point. How long and how strong you run that marathon is still going to be up to you. The key is to remain true to yourself. I intend to give that advice to my elementary school going children a few decades from now so when someone asks them, “Is yours a love or a digitally initiated empirically aided algorithmic compatibility matched marriage?” they won’t be annoyed. n Shachi Patel is an engineer by training and a program manager by profession. A lifelong volunteer, she was one of the original voices on Bay Area’s first South Asian radio station. She explores the outdoors with her family and writes from her abode in Silicon Valley.

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tax talk

What Filing Status is Right For You? By Khorshed Alam

our federal income tax filing status can affect exemptions, reportable income, deductions, credits, tax rates, liability, the type of form you file, and whether you need to file at all. In addition, some states require that you use the status reported on your federal return. That can affect the amount of state tax you pay. Here’s an overview to help you determine what’s right for you. Single. You’re considered single if you’re unmarried, divorced, or legally separated as of the last day of your taxable year (generally December 31). Married filing jointly. When you’re legally married under the laws of your state, you and your spouse can elect to combine your income and file a joint return. In cases of divorce or separate maintenance decrees, the laws of your state determine whether you’re considered married. Under proposed regulations issued in 2015, same-sex marriages are recognized

for federal income tax purposes when the marriage is recognized by any state. Married filing separately. As a married couple, you can choose to file joint or separate returns. When you file separately, you can change your mind later and amend your return to file jointly. However, you can’t switch from joint status to married filing separately after the due date of the original return. Joint returns offer benefits such as a higher standard deduction. But separating your tax liability from your spouse’s by filing separate returns can be beneficial in some situations. Just be aware that certain breaks, such as the child and dependent care credit, may not be available if you chose this filing status. Head of household. This is the filing status to use if you’re single and provide more than half the cost of maintaining a household for a dependent who lives with you. You may also be able to use head of household status when you’re single and

maintaining a separate household for a parent—including one living in a nursing home. Head of household tax brackets are more generous than those for single filers, but less broad than the brackets for married filers who complete a joint return. Qualifying widow or widower. If you were widowed during the year and have not remarried, you have the option of filing jointly with your late spouse. When you’re widowed and have dependent children, you can continue to use joint tax rates for two additional years following the year your spouse died. This status lets you benefit from the favorable tax rates of joint filers and claim the highest standard deduction. n Khorshed Alam is a practicing CPA and business valuation analyst. He is the President and CEO of Alam Accountancy Corporation. Check out http://alamcpatax.com or call (408) 445-1120.

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Elderly Women Choose Their Own Future Is it really all that difficult to believe that single, elderly women can make their own decisions? By Suraksha Giri

hat are her choices, they ask, other than to stay with her children, or brother, or nephew? Who else will take care of her? You hear this being said when an elderly woman is suddenly single, or after an elderly single woman has had surgery or suffers from ill health. Being single, old, and a woman is to be at the bottom of the pile; it is an unmentionable class—caste. I give you the stories of Prema, Shubha, Lakshmi, and Lalitha, who represent a growing number of Indian single elderly women, who have found the courage to examine their choices and make decisions for themselves.

Prema

When Prema lost her husband after sixty years of married life, she was a healthy seventy-five, well provisioned with her husband’s United Nations pension. They had continued to live in the United States and moved to a university town in the east after his retirement. They had two sons, one settled in Mumbai and the other in Washington. A few months after her husband’s funeral, Prema requested her boys to come and visit her. Sitting in the family room, after lunch, she told her sons that she would like to move to Hyderabad; her siblings and their families were living there and she would have company. Her sons were aghast. “Amma you cannot live alone, you will fall sick. Who will take care of you? Divide your time between us, please,” was the immediate reaction. Resolute in her decision, Prema wrote to her brothers and sisters who had many 40 | INDIA CURRENTS | West Coast Edition | April 2016

A Creative Commons Image by Behzad No

misgivings. Who would take the responsibility of Prema? Nevertheless, they accommodated Prema and started house hunting for a spacious flat with power back up and security, and in close proximity to their own homes. Prema was determined to live on her own. Married at fifteen, she had devoted her life to the care of her husband and their home, allowing him to manage their lives, investments and, as is somewhat typical, to make all the decisions. Over time, Prema had learnt to converse fluently in English and later Thai and French as a result of their postings. Now, after living for over half a century abroad, could she live on her own in India? It is three years since Prema moved to Hyderabad. Prema donated all her belongings to charity and arrived in Hyderabad with three suitcases. She lives in a one bedroom serviced apartment. It is expensive, but she uses her husband’s pension for her comfort instead of saving it for her children and their children. Her sons visit her. She travels to Mumbai and spends a

few weeks there. She attends music concerts or an occasional film with her sisters. Her apartment is tastefully furnished and allows her free movement. Many consider her pitiable, to live alone deprived of the comfort of her children. I see Prema as supremely wise. She used her intelligence and resources judiciously to maintain her freedom and dignity. Her relationship with her children and their families is affectionate, not needy, and since she is obviously happy, the sons have no guilt.

Shubha

Shubha, living in New York, suddenly lost her husband to illness. After a brief struggle it was over. Everyone expected her to move to her son’s house in Virginia. Instead, Shubha moved to a condo in Philadelphia, and involved herself in health counseling, traveling by public transport since she sold her car. She moves around the health district putting in a full day’s work and stays up at night to catch up on new advances in her field.

Lakshmi

Lakshmi moved from Coimbatore, where she and her husband had been living, to Bangalore where her son was based. She found an apartment a few floors below his, smaller but a place to call her own. She is now envied by her girl friends, some not as fortunate as she is and do not have the independence that she enjoys. Shubha and Lakshmi’s families have seen the contentment and fulfillment of their new living conditions and have shaken off their worry for seemingly abandoning their elderly relatives.

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here are unstated social taboos for single, elderly women in India. Aspersions are often cast on the children: “they are callous to let her live on her own.” It is assumed that the only redemption from a life of loneliness is to go live with one’s children, siblings, or relatives.

Lalitha

Lalitha was persuaded to apply for her green card so that she could live with her daughter in California. After four months, handicapped by lack of transport and freedom of movement, Lalitha returned to Chennai and surrendered her green card. “I can visit my daughter on a tourist visa,” she told the lady in the consulate office, “it’s simpler.” Children, brothers, and male relatives of single, elderly women, believing they know best, take preposterous actions supposedly to protect them. Some rent out their single mother’s house and then send her to live in an old age home, while some box her into their lives, a recessed alcove with a suitcase beneath the bed—trapped in a strange no man’s land where her status oscillates between a refugee and a visitor. Some suggest the practice of economies, and others get affronted when their elderly mother or mother-in-law requests an outing. Much confusion arises when the husband does not name his wife as the inheritor, but rather as a beneficiary. An elderly aunt suffered a heart attack when her husband’s will was read out. He had left the house to his son and overnight she was a guest in her own home. We can deceive ourselves that such a situation will never arise in our own families. Instead of ridiculing their options under the guise of affection, it’s far better to respect their ideas, their choices and help them adjust to the life they desire. A single, elderly woman may be educated or otherwise, but she has likely spent her life managing homes and rearing kids, and she knows how to decide and what is good for her. Support her, and do not suppress her. Let her decide. n

Suraksha Giri has published in several Indian publications, including The Times of India and Speaking Tree. She is the author of the book, It Happened Like This.

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profile

My Beautiful Siri A special needs young woman learns the art of craft

am Siri’s mother and this is her story. Siri was diagnosed with autism when she turned three in San Francisco, back in 1995. Siri received intensive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment soon after her diagnosis for 40 hours each day for five days a week. Her biggest challenge was communication and with this treatment Siri quickly started showing improvement and it got easier to communicate with her and hence to manage with her. Siri has two typically growing younger brothers Vamsi and Kiran. When Siri turned 22 years old and was done with her school, there were no appropriate programs for her in our neighborhood and so she began to spend most of her time at home. At about the same time my middle child, her younger brother Vamsi, went into army training. Those were difficult days for me since I desperately missed my son. He was away for long period with limited communication. Siri missed her brother a lot and would often say “let’s go pick up Vamsi at the airport.” She believed that her brother was still at the airport where we had left him. Those days when Kiran left for school, we’d leave the house and walk for some time and perhaps buy a sandwich and go to the Bayshore Trail to watch planes land and take off while having lunch and come back home just before Kiran came back from school. I was a member of an Army group on Facebook and one of the members posted saying that there were some soldiers who needed some encouragement and a great need for Care Packages (Halls mints, ear buds, small tooth paste and brush, comb, ointment for fungus, deodorant, nail clippers, a blank post card ...). I had Siri make the list and we would go to drug stores to pick up the items. On the way home from the drug stores we’d stop by at the post office and buy flat boxes. I’d take one cardboard and give Siri

46 | INDIA CURRENTS |West Coast Edition | April 2016

By Swathi Chettipally

the other one and we’d fold the first flap on the right and then the one on the left. Then turn it around and do the same on the other side. In this way, I showed Siri how to make a box. Then Siri would open up the packages we bought and she learned to separate the items and pack a few of this and a few of that in each box. During our packing process Siri would always be happy and sometimes very giggly. After the boxes were arranged the way I had them in the sample box, I asked Siri to write a verse from the Holy Bible on one side, while on the other side I wrote a letter to the soldiers. In every letter, I told the soldiers that the packages were prepared by my daughter who has autism. Without fail, they all replied back to Siri complimenting her on her handwriting. Indeed, Siri does have very beautiful handwriting. Siri would break into smiles as she read the replies from the soldiers. One day, I wondered if Siri would be interested in making jewelry since she was (and is) always shopping at Claire’s at the mall. I purchased lots of beads in different shapes, colors and sizes and asked her to take them off the strings. She learned to separate the beads by shapes, and then later by color and finally by size. With some help from Youtube, I taught Siri how to make simple ear rings. I purchased two sets of pliers and I gave

her one set while I had one in my hands. I put a T-pin, few beads and a hook in front of her and I told her to hold the T-pin and put one bead through the pin while I was doing the same and then told her to take the nose plier and make a loop. And SHE DID IT! And that was the first step of the rest of her successful journey. Just the other day she came home and asked to make a bracelet with red beads which she did on her own. Pretty soon she will be able to do them all independently. A song about her life is going to be released on Autism Awareness Day on April 2 and is to be sung by the famous singer Anjana Sowmya. Siri loves to go shopping, travel, swimming, walking, biking, ice-skating, singing, dressing up, Bollywood dancing and cooking too. She takes care of herself and also helps in the house when she is in the mood. She has successfully sold her handmade jewelry at several events. Her jewelry is sold online at www.DesignsBySiri.com and she also has a Facebook page called “Designs By Siri.” Check it out. n I am Swathi Chettipally, a radio host of www. Navodayam.org, and a mom to my three beautiful children. Siri my eldest special needs daughter, Vamsi an Army soldier, Kiran a high school kid. Their dad is an ER physician. This is my beautiful world.

April 2016 | West Coast Edition | www.indiacurrents.com | 47

feature

Twelve Steps to Happily Ever After! By Eva Mendes

n the last decade or so, Indian marriages have undergone a dramatic shift. Evidenced by the sharp rise in divorce rates, marriage within the Indian community has become an increasingly challenging endeavor. If more couples pursued marriage counseling before it was too late, it’s possible that many of these divorces could be averted. For many, the main obstacle seems to be the stigma associated with psychological counseling and mental health issues. As an Indian-American couples counselor, I’ve had the privilege to work with numerous couples and, over the years, I’ve witnessed the same themes come up. Outlined here are some common issues that Indian couples face, and how they can be successfully dealt with:

1. Getting Married for the Wrong Reasons

In part due to cultural and family pressures, some people get married out of a sense of obligation or desperation. Fear drives a lot of people to ignore red flags or warning signs about their selected mate. In time, these red flags cause conflicts in the marriage. Bharat, a previously-divorced doctor, at 40 years, felt the urgency to start a family. He met Ashwini on a popular dating site and married her six months later. Very quickly, both realized that they had major personality differences—Bharat was egotistic and Ashwini had a tendency towards being controlling and suspicious. Their problems were only made worse by Bharat’s long hours at the hospital, lack of honest communication, and the immediate arrival of a new baby. Counseling Advice: Avoid getting married due to family pressure or the fear of remaining single. Take time to get to know the person you’ve selected to marry, including their family. Spend time togeth48 | INDIA CURRENTS |West Coast Edition | April 2016

er and have a frank discussion about key issues: where you will live, sharing of domestic tasks, finances, common interests, raising children, and how you plan on resolving differences.

2. Differences in Family Backgrounds and Upbringing

Having radically different family backgrounds can sometimes cause friction for the couple. Observing and becoming aware of family and cultural differences and discussing expectations prior to marriage as much as possible is important. Leena was raised in a family where her parents shared in the household tasks. Her husband, Thomas, on the other hand, grew up in a home where his mother fulfilled all the domestic duties, and he expected Leena to do the same despite her demanding job. These differences caused friction in their marriage for a while, until they worked things out by discussing a strategy for the division of labor in couples counseling. Counseling Advice: Before marriage, people are typically on their best behavior; therefore, it’s important to closely observe not only your future mate, but also the relationships between his/her family members. This might tell you a lot about your future partner’s mindset. If you observe that family members are disrespectful to each other, you might be forewarned. Changing behavior and patterns of interaction after marriage is possible, but maybe much harder to do. Seeking the help of a good counselor in this regard and being willing to work on creating a new family culture as a new married couple is important. Even in counseling, change is only possible when both partners are willing to examine their own behaviors and work hard to reset them.

3. Poor Boundaries with In-Laws

The over-involvement of in-laws, from either the husband’s or wife’s family, can drive a wedge between a couple and create a sense of conflicting loyalties for them. Intrusions from a mother-in-law or sister-in-law can be damaging and leaves little space for the couple to develop their own bond. Subhash often felt caught in the middle between his mother and wife, Priya. His mother—a widow—had been overly attached to her son and often tried to assert her authority over Subhash and Priya at every opportunity. For example, she picked fault at Priya and tried to get Subhash to correct her perceived faults. Subhash tended to avoid conflict and had no idea how to tell his mother that he wasn’t about to listen to her on how to interact with his wife. His silence on his mother’s behavior meant that his mother took it upon herself to insult and taunt her daughter-in-law directly. This made Priya very insecure about her husband’s loyalties and affections, and caused her to complain about this. As the conflict between his mother and wife escalated, Subhash felt increasingly helpless. Counseling Advice: Learning where and how to set boundaries so that everyone feels safe and respected can immediately change the dynamic of the marriage for the better. The stronger the unity of the husband and wife, the happier everyone will be in the long-run, including children and even the in-laws! It is in the best interest of the entire family to respect the couple’s boundaries.

4. Lack of Coping Strategies:

Life is full of suffering and difficulties

and many people lack coping strategies for their problems. It’s important that people have the appropriate coping skills to overcome obstacles and endure struggles. Pratik was deeply ashamed about not living up to his family’s expectation of being super successful. With a physician father and brother and a lawyer sister, he felt terribly inadequate about his job as an IT professional even though he liked what he did. In order to cope and hide his feelings of inferiority, Pratik began to pay for online escorts under a false identity and engage in what he thought was some “harmless fun.” This “harmless fun” provided him with a sense of control and superiority. However, the more he engaged in these illicit behaviors the more ashamed he became not only about his perceived inadequacies, but also due to his online activities. Pratik continued his habit even though he loved his wife, Mishti. Eventually, she stumbled upon his computer history and his secret was out. Counseling Advice: Through counseling, Mishti began to understand how the websites gave Pratik a sense of validation that was lacking in his life. After a while, Pratik was also able to express his feelings of shame and inadequacy. He realized that he was really attached to his negative feelings about himself because they gave him a sense of control to push his family and wife away from him. As Pratik shared his shame and vulnerability, he was able to feel compassion for himself and his wife. As he began to get healthier, his urge for his online activities disappeared. He decided to work hard on getting a promotion at work and resumed playing tennis, something that he had always excelled at and gave him a sense of accomplishment.

5. Undiagnosed Mental Health Issues

In many marriages, undiagnosed mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Personality Disorders can cause significant problems. Many couples don’t have the awareness to identify mental health issues and how these can affect a relationship. Mental health issues are often misunderstood and stigmatized in our community, but it’s important to realize that many of these so-called conditions also have a positive

side to them. Zoya, a successful computer engineer, struggled with anxiety. Her brain was gifted at writing innovative software. However, her perfectionistic mind made her highly anxious and caused friction in her marriage. Diagnosing the anxiety and learning ways to manage it, greatly helped her to improve her relationship. Counseling Advice: Don’t be afraid to seek counseling for mental health issues. Numerous gifted people—artists, engineers, scientists, and even world leaders— have struggled with mental health issues. Neuroscience has helped us understand the causes of mental challenges. Speak to a psychotherapist, just like you would to a kidney specialist if you had trouble with your kidneys.

6. Neurological Differences

Not every brain is wired the same. Some people have highly logical brains, which can make them seem emotionally aloof and unexpressive. They can come across as insensitive, negative, obsessive over a special interest, and they may have sensory sensitivities. If your partner has these traits, he/she might have Asperger’s Syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In a marriage, Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) can cause severe misunderstandings. Both partners can feel at their wit’s end and not understand how to address the problems between them. Counseling Advice: Online articles and books on the subject of marriage with ASD, including my book, Marriage and Lasting Relationships with Asperger Syndrome: Successful Strategies for Couples and Counselors (2015) explains the dynamics of an ASD marriage. By learning about AS and working with an AS specialist, partners can built an awareness of AS traits and how these affect the marriage. Every person with AS is different, so finding tailored solutions that work for your particular marriage is important.

7. Power Struggles

Power struggles can ensue for a variety of reasons: bruised egos, long-standing hurts, lack of respect, and when partners don’t see themselves as a team. Partners try to one-up and get back at each other by devaluing and putting the other down. Recognizing one’s own role in this treacherous cycle is the first step toward disarming one’s self and subsequently influencing

one’s partner to do the same. Sundar had become increasingly insecure due to his wife, Payal’s sudden career success in the last couple of years. As Payal began spending more time in the office and even traveling for work, Sundar began to belittle and control her. He would openly tell her, “You’re so stupid!” Constantly being put down began to make Payal feel unsafe, and traumatized. Counseling Advice: Sitting down in the safety of a counselor’s office, the husband can realize that such feelings of insecurity are normal. Rather than tormenting his wife by having a power trip, he can learn to experience his vulnerability around feeling left out or inadequate. Even just becoming self-aware and acknowledging these feelings can prevent him from acting out and choosing to have compassion for both himself and his wife regarding his feelings.

8. Infidelity

Infidelity is often a symptom of deep pain or a lack of direction of the cheating partner who may not know how to face and address these problems. They try to feel better by engaging in a physical or emotional connection outside the marriage; however, in doing so, they cause more harm to everyone involved. Counseling Advice: Realize that adultery is rooted in deeper problems. Life’s challenges are often difficult and there are no instant or easy solutions. Do consider that the instant gratification that comes from engaging in adultery has the poten

April 2016 | West Coast Edition | www.indiacurrents.com | 49

holic, had a poor attitude towards women, and anger-management problems. Neha for her part, also retaliated towards him with violence. Finally, family members intervened and got them to divorce. Counseling Advice: Seek immediate professional help when faced with domestic violence. If the violence is chronic, decide if it’s even worth saving the marriage. Such situations take years to improve and it is not only the health of the abused partner that is at stake, but his/her very life, not to mention the psychological and emotional well being of the children in the marriage when present.

12. Waiting Too Long to Seek Counseling

tial to create significant trauma, both short and long-term for the lives of everyone involved. Escaping into an affair might seem like a relief at first, but long-term, the price to pay is very high. Many couples divorce over infidelity, and those who don’t, spend years rebuilding the lost trust. If there are children involved, the long-term impact on their psychological development and their ability to develop safe and loving relationships as adults cannot be underestimated. Not to mention the hurt and lack of distrust they can begin to feel towards their parent, once they learn the truth, even it may be years down the line, in adulthood.

9. Addictions

Alcohol, drug, and other addictions are all too common these days. Once again, lacking coping skills, many partners fall prey to addictions of various forms in an effort to escape their pain, boredom, or inability to cope. Due to the shame and stigma associated with addictions, couples go to great lengths to conceal these issues, even from loved ones. When these addictions are aren’t identified as problems, or brushed under the rug, both partners end up suffering, and often in secret and for years on end. Counseling Advice: Addictions carry a very high cost to the well-being not only of the couple, but also their children. It’s crucial to get treatment from a counselor and an addictions specialist, rather than living a compromised quality of life. There are some very effective programs, and rehab centers that specialize in treating various addictions. Also, groups like Alcohol50 | INDIA CURRENTS |West Coast Edition | April 2016

ics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and Sex and Love Addiction Anonymous can not only help people manage their addiction, but also help them stay sober and clean for the rest of their lives if they wish it to be so.

10. Verbal/Emotional Abuse

Sometimes a partner may constantly put-down or mock his/her partner. Even when they are aware of how destructive this behavior is, they may not know how to change it. Or they may not even realize that they are being abusive. Especially, if they grew up in a family that has a pattern of verbal or emotional abuse, it’s possible that they don’t even realize that their behavior is abusive. A lack of emotional regulation and high anxiety may fuel this behavior. Emotional and verbal abuse shouldn’t be denied or ignored as it is just as harmful as physical abuse, and can even make the partner on the receiving end physically ill. Counseling Advice: A counselor specializing in teaching social skills can help come up with alternate ways of saying the same thing. Meditation can also help the partner chose gentler and kinder language.

11. Domestic Violence

Often domestic violence isn’t chronic, but sporadic which can lead a partner and even their family to believe that things aren’t so bad. However, it only takes once for a spouse to get permanently injured or in some extreme cases even killed. Regardless, domestic violence should never be taken lightly. Ajay and Neha struggled with domestic violence. Ajay was an alco-

On average, the American couple take six years to seek counseling from the time they need it, according to E. Weil in the book Does Couples Therapy Work? In the case of Indian-American couples, I would say that the wait can be even longer. However, the longer the couple waits to get help, the more entrenched and out of control their marital problems become. Amidst the intense anger, and blame, it is hard to get the couple to communicate and try new solutions. Counseling Advice: If you can’t discuss issues without getting into an argument or fight, and this has been going on for six months or longer, it may be time to seek counseling. The universal guidelines for happy marriages are: honesty, open communication, respect and understanding. Happy couples protect each other. They have unconditional positive regard for each other. They share the same life goals and look out for the happiness of the other. n Cases mentioned in this article are inspired by real cases, but not based on anyone in real life. Any resemble is incidental.

Eva Mendes, LMHC is an Asperger/Autism specialist, couples counselor, author, and speaker originally from Mumbai, India. Eva facilitates groups, workshops, and trainings at universities, mental health and medical centers. Eva is the author of the book Marriage and Lasting Relationships with Asperger Syndrome. She has a private practice in Boston, MA. She may be reached at www. evmendes.com

April 2016 | West Coast Edition | www.indiacurrents.com | 51

travel

Charmed by Budapest By Melanie P. Kumar

St. Stephen’s Basilica

The Hungarian State Opera House 52 | INDIA CURRENTS |West Coast Edition | April 2016

y first impression from the bus entering Budapest, after a pleasurable tour of the Herend Porcelain Manufactory, is not a pleasant one. Streets congested with vehicular traffic and jams remind me of my home-city of Bangalore. But there the comparison ends, as I am soon charmed by the magical city and the river Danube that flows through it. Budapest, the Hungarian capital, was formed by the joining of the calm Buda on the west and the vibrant Pest on the east, in 1873. It is ten times larger than any other city in Hungary and has several bridges and railway bridges connecting Buda and Pest, the most important of them being the Szechenyi Lanchid or the Chain Bridge. I am fortunate to get a room with a view on the sixth floor of the majestic Hotel Inter Continental, which is located in the old city center or Pest side of the River Danube. The hotel affords stunning views beyond the river and Buda, including the Castle Hill and Royal Palace. With their lights twinkling and also reflecting on the waters of the Danube, I feel like I am in fairyland and throughout my stay in Budapest, I keep the curtains drawn wide open so that I can see the majestic river, the last thing before going to bed and the first thing after arising in the morning. The Danube offers contrasting views by day and by night and both are unforgettable. Budapest is well-known for its gastronomical delights and an evening visit to the Gerbeaud Café is a palate-pleasing experience as their confections, with liberal dashes of chocolate, melt in one’s mouth. Gerbeaud, one of the largest and most traditional cafes located in the center of the city was started in 1858 by Henrik Kugler and bought in 1884 by its late owner, Emile Gerbeaud, a Swiss confectioner, who expanded it considerably. One cannot speak of Budapest and not say a word about its delicious wine, Tokaji

The Hungarian Parliament Building

Outside view of the Szechenyi Thermal Bath

(pronounced with the j silent), which has its origins in the Tokaj region. It is possibly the sweetest and best wine that I have ever tasted. Tokaj is UNESCO-listed and its wine industry is one of the main employment source, estimated to provide nearly 5,000 jobs. Hungary’s central government and the European Union have joined together to invest in upgrading Tokaj’s vineyards and bolstering the international reputation of its wines. I embark on a walk around the World Heritage listed Castle District on the Buda side, not realizing that it is quite a climb to Buda Castle. The colorful tiles dotting its rooftops are eye-catching but the most exciting part of being up here is the breathtaking view of the Danube. Entering the slightly hard to pronounce, “Halaszbastya” Restaurant on Castle Hill becomes worthwhile, not so much for the refreshing drink as to hear a small orchestra play soothing melodies. They quickly oblige when I make a request. And what a treat it is for the eyes and ears to look out at the “Blue Danube” whilst hearing Johann Strauss’ composition by the same name. But I will have more as I pull an obliging friend and we twirl around in a waltz much to the amusement of the other visitors. After dinner at the Michelin-starred Pierrot Restaurant, comes the best part of the day—a cruise on a speedboat across the Danube. The ride includes a glass of liquor, which I offer as obeisance to the

Danube whilst the ride does the intoxicating. There are lights winking everywhere, including on the magnificent Chain Bridge under which the boat passes several times. Their starry reflection on the waters is enchanting and, for me, a never-to-be forgotten sight. A visit to Budapest would be incomplete without dropping in on their Parliament. The building looks like a palace from the outside and is no less impressive inside. The external façade is awe-inspiring with pointed arch arcades, eighty-eight statues of the many Hungarian rulers as also numerous spires, gargoyles and Gothic ornaments. On first sight, it seems to bear a striking resemblance to London’s Houses of Parliament and the penny drops when I hear that they provided the inspiration for its Neo-Gothic design. The construction was started in 1885 and completed 17 years later in 1902. Not surprising, as it is the largest Parliament building in the world with ten central courtyards, twenty kilometers (~12.5 miles) of staircase and 691 rooms. I barely manage to negotiate a few of them and find the interiors stunning in their decoration by Hungary’s best artists. Here, Neo-Gothic melds with Renaissance and there are Byzantine influences too, especially visible in the staircase hall. A room that arrests one’s attention is the circular Copula Hall with its display of the statues of Hungarian monarchs and

The Thermal Bath

Danube by night

a ceiling as intricate as ones in cathedrals. The Coronation Crown and the insignia, which were given to King Stephen during his anointment as King in the year 1000 CE, are displayed here along with the other Coronation Jewels. I am fascinated by the majestic chandeliers as also a numbered cigar holder that is allotted for each Member of Parliament, to place his cigar in, as smoking is not permitted in the Assembly area! The Parliament is open for tourists only when there are no sessions on. The Szechenyl Thermal Bath is the largest in Europe and highly-recommended for its medicinal waters, supplied by two medicinal springs. Built in the Neo-

April 2016 | West Coast Edition | www.indiacurrents.com | 53

Baroque style, it is an imposing sight and I wonder about how the Great Baths of Mohenjo-Daro would have been described by a traveler. But, on the day that I stop by, the place is jam-packed and I am glad that I have decided not to take a dip. The Hungarian State Opera is a NeoRenaissance building that is worth checking out, even if one is not able to catch an opera. It looks majestic from the outside and I stare in awe, before stepping inside. Designed by Miklos Ybl, a leading architect of 19th century Hungary, this construction is considered to be one of his masterpieces. There are gleaming marble columns in the foyer and a vaulted ceiling covered with murals, imaginatively depicting the nine Muses. Andrassy Avenue, on which the Opera House is located, is a part of the UNESCO world heritage and an exciting place to walk around and shop in. I locate a shop to pick up chocolates from and am persuaded to settle for marzipans, to prevent the risk of melting chocolates. After dinner, it is time to check out the vibrant nightlife of the Pest area. I find my-

54 | INDIA CURRENTS |West Coast Edition | April 2016

Night view of the Chain Bridge connecting Buda and Pest

self in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;ruin pubs,â&#x20AC;? which look in a state of dilapidation but are apparently meeting places for people of all age-groups. There are people thronging everywhere and I decide on an early pack-up, as my flight back is early the next morning. The fallout of the party is visible at the International Airport the next day, with very few staff present on Saturday morning to proceed with the formalities. As I complete

mine and head into the departure area, I make a silent wish to return some day. The city had me in its spell. n

Melanie Kumar is a Bangalore-based writer. She enjoys writing about life in its many manifestations. She also does literary reviews and is an avid traveler, who never misses an opportunity to pen her thoughts about her travels.

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Om Sri Mathre Namaha

Friday April 8th Temple Opens At 8.00 Am. Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatam, Continued With Sri Bhuwaneswari Abhisheka, Continued With Sri Lalitha Sahasra Nama Chanting. Noothana Sri Dhurmukhi Nama Samvath Saram Yugadi Festival/Gudi Pudwa, New Year Telugu/Kannada/Marati According to The Lunar Calendar Panchanga Patanam/Panchanga Sravanam. Special Pooja Aarati and Manthra Pushpa Continued With Telugu Panchanga Sravanam, and Continued With Kannada Panchanga Sravanam. Conitnuous Archana At 9.00 Pm. Bhajans By Bay Area Bhajan Samaj. At 10.15 Pm Jai Jagadeesha Hare Aarati and Balaji Ekantha Seva Temple Closes Sunday April 10th Kritika Vratha

At 4.00 Pm Sri Valli Deva Sena Sametha, Sri Subramanya Abhisheka, Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Abhisheka, Sri Shiva Abhisheka Aarati and Manthra Pushpa. Tuesday April 12th Sukla Sashti At 8.30 Pm Sri Valli Deva Sena Sametha Sri Subramanya Sahasra Nama Archana. Wednesday April 13th Vishu Punyakalam Thursday April 14 Temple Opens Morning 9.00 Am Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatam Continued With Shiva Abhisheka Aarati and Manthra Pushpa. Noothana Dhurmukhi Nama Samvath Saram Tamil New Year/Baisakhi Panchanga Patanam/Sravanam Pooja, Continued With Panchanga Sravanam Continuous Archana. At 10.00 Pm Jai Jagadeesha Hare Aarati Balaji Ekantha Seva Temple Closes th

Friday April 15th Sri Rama Navami At 4.00 Pm Sri Bhuwaneswari Abhisheka Continued With Sri Lalitha Sahasra Nama Chanting Aarati and Manthra Pushpa. At 6.00 Pm Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam All Are Welcome to Participate With Family Tuesday April 19th At 6.00 Pm Pradosham Shiva Sri Rudra Abhisheka Aarati and Manthra Pushpa Thursday April 21st At 5.00 Pm Shiva Abhisheka Aarati and Manthra Pushpa At 6.00 Pm Chithra Pournami Vratha/pooja Sri Sathya Narayana Swamy Pooja/Vratha Aarati and Manthra Pushpa All Are Welcome to Participate With Family Monday April 25th At 5.00 Pm Sri Sankata Hara Chathurthi Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Abhisheka/ Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Homa Aarati and Manthra Pushpa

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April 2016 | West Coast Edition | www.indiacurrents.com | 59

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Phone: (562) 924-2294 64 | INDIA CURRENTS | West Coast Edition | April 2016

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Paulomi Pandit Recipient of Post Diploma from

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626-590-5547 April 2016 | West Coast Edition | www.indiacurrents.com | 65

dear doctor

My Father Has Become Emotional By Alzak Amlani

In the last five years or so, I have noticed my father becoming more quiet, gentle and emotionally open. He is now in his mid sixties. When we were younger and he was in his thirties and forties, he was very stern, angry and intolerant. Now, when we have family gatherings he tears up easily and feels the loss when my brother and sister leave to go to their homes. It seems he is not able to hide his deeper feelings. I don’t know quite how to respond to him and wonder if he is all right. Can I get him to talk about his feelings and the changes he might be going through?

Besides aging, I am wondering what your father has experienced that has changed him? Usually there is some loss such as illness, financial crisis, forced migration, death or issues in the marriage that lead a man to soften up that much. Most of it sounds healthy and a good shift for him and those around him. As men mature and reflect on life and their

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personalities, they get more in touch with their feminine side. This is the inner life, feeling vulnerable and empathetic. This is a natural process and not all men are lucky enough to grow in this way. Grief can often be the first gateway in. I have noticed that men who are philosophically oriented or do some sort of spiritual practice such as meditation, change in these ways. Start by appreciating these qualities in your father. Let him see that you notice them and enjoy his warmer and nurturing sides now. What do you know about the challenges in his life, especially more recently? Is there a way to bring those up? Some of the signs of depression include: withdrawal; excessive sadness; lack of motivation and pleasure in life; changes in appetite and sleep; indecisiveness and overall low mood on most days. To have certain days like this is not necessarily a concern and can actually be a part of a deepening into one’s inner self and the

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more difficult aspects of life. Pretending to always be strong and joyful doesn’t work as well at this stage and need not be a strategy anymore. However to live a life with these symptoms is not necessary and shows that he is stuck. There are two books that really address how grief and sorrow can help transform us: Care of the Soul by Thomas Moore and Entering the Healing Ground: Grief Ritual and the Soul of the World by Francis Weller. These books can help a person embrace the natural challenges that life brings and offer perspectives and practices that help integrate these inner openings, especially later in life. n

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April 2016 | West Coast Edition | www.indiacurrents.com | 67

music

Nourishing a Musical Legacy: Pt. Girish Chatterjee By Priya Das

his year is the fifth since the passing of the legendary Hindustani vocalist Pandit Bhimsen Joshi. India Currents caught up with Pandit (Pt.) Girish Chatterjee, a long-time disciple of Joshi and a 2011 Filmfare Award nominee for the song “Mora Saiyan” featured in the movie Mirch. He pays homage to this guru by continuing his legacy in music and teaching. These days, he splits his time between India and the United States.

At that time it was a big opportunity for us, for all scholars to get in touch with all the legends of Indian classical music. We received important advice from them. After becoming a research scholar, I started learning from Pt. A. Kanan who was another legend of Indian classical music. He loved me like his son and was very proud of me. I was very much close to both, Pt. Joshi and my other guru, Pt. Kanan, until they passed away.

What was it like, being The Bhimsen Joshi’s student? My father was the disciple of Pt. Bhimsen Joshi; Ustad Amir Khan introduced my father to Pt. Bhimsen Joshi before I was even born. I met Pt. Bhimsen Joshi when I was four years old at Maharastra Nivas in Kolkata after my parents took me to meet him. It was a great experience and a beautiful memory that I cherish. He shared many things with me. I remember he had asked me to sing something and as I did, he was watching me very carefully. Then he told my parents that their son was highly talented and proceeded to bless me in front of them. That was a very happy moment for me, even more for my parents. He suggested to my parents to bring me back to him when I get a little older to teach me music. Later, I have even shared the stage many times with Pt. Bhimsen Joshi.

Describe your experience with Bollywood for us, what was it like, receiving the Filmfare nomination? I have a long standing relationship with Bollywood. My late gurus Pt. A. Kanan and Pt. V.G. Jog introduced me to Bollywood. I first worked with Rabindra Jain, and then R.D. Burman, Kalyanji Anandji, Naushadji, Indeevar, Kaifi Azmi, Javed Aktar, and many more including the late Yash Chopra. As the song “Mora Saiyan,” which was in the film Mirch, it was written, composed and sung by me. The film director Vinay Shukla requested me to perform many ragas and he chose that raga to be present throughout the film in different sequences.

Who have been the other major influences in your life? Seventy percent of the knowledge I acquired in Indian classical music came from my parents, so my first gurus were Sangeet Acharya Pandit Tarakeshwar Chatterjee, my father, and Vidhushi Dipali Chatterjee, my mother. I am the fourth generation in this music tradition … I received a special award for exceptional talent in Indian classical music on the same stage and day where Pt. Ravi Shankar performed Raga Basant Pancham with Ustad Zakir Hussain! I became a research scholar by age eleven at the Sangeet Research Academy. 68 | INDIA CURRENTS | West Coast Edition | April 2016

What is your personal take on Indian vs. Western music? The whole world of music stands on twelve notes, seven are major notes and the other five are minor notes. According to our Hindustani classical music, there are micro-tones within notes called “shruti.” When we sing ragas along with a manual tanpura only then can we identify those micro-tones, raga’s character and its total improvisation delivery. Western music has its own intricate rules and follow a particular set of order with a various and beautiful combination of major and minor notes. Western music follows notation with very limited space to play in improvised style … both styles are unique and melodious and if brought together, it can surprise the artists and the listeners.

2011—Pt. Girish Chatterjee singing in memory of Pt. Bhimsen Joshi

Where do you teach, what is your teaching philosophy? Technology has definitely made things easier to conduct your business from anywhere—I do classes via Skype as well. One must be honest with his profession, humble with his students and passionate with his art. Teaching for the sake of just teaching, to me is incomplete. I remember my father used to say “Remember the way I’m teaching you now, because there will come a day when you will have to teach children.” I’m very much blessed to have had the best teachers in my life ... A teacher’s motivation must come from the fact that otherwise, that knowledge will be lost. n Pandit Girish Chatterjee can be reached at panditgirishc@yahoo.co.in Priya Das is an enthusiastic follower of world music and avidly tracks intersecting points between folk, classical, jazz and other genres.

dance . music

BharathaKala Kutiram Artistic Director:

Jayanthi Sridharan offers Bharathanatyam Classes in North San Jose

Call: (408) 251-3438 e-mail: bkkdanceschool@gmail.com

Private Lessons ALL AGES & LEVELS

MUSIC Lessons with Peter Block

ENGLISH Lessons with Sita

• Saxophone, Guitar, Flute, Clarinet Writing, reading & speaking skills • Classical, Jazz & Pop styles • Prepare for high school and college • Includes comprehensive program of playing, • Word choice, vocabulary, grammar, diction rhythm & ear training, theory, recitals, etc. • Essay, academic & creative writing • Qualify for local youth symphonies, wind ensembles, jazz bands, & college music. Peter: (408)

839-2476

1/2 or Full Hour Lessons

music_lessons@comcast.net

Sita: (408)

253-1051

s_tyar@comcast.net

Vocal Music Classes By DR

MOUSOOMI BANERJI

(disciple of late Pandit Gyan Prakash Ghosh and Ustad Munawar Ali Khan) * Teacher of repute and artiste having numerous stage and TV shows. * Elementary lessons for beginners in Indian Classical Music (Hindusthani style) and Light Classical Music - including bhajan, ghazal, etc. Classes In San Jose, Sunnyvale ra & Santa Cla

* Special lessons in Bangla Gaan - (Bengali) Puraatani, Tappa, Nazrulgeeti, Atulprosad, Raagprodhan, etc. mousumi_999@yahoo.com Contact: (408) 799-1102 • (408) 823-3918 mousumi.banerji@gmail.com

Bansuri Bamboo Flute

Jeff Whittier

• Flutes of the Highest Quality • Lessons in North Indian Music in Palo Alto & Fremont • Video Instructions Available • Light Classical Music for Indian Weddings

(650) 493-2187

E-mail: Bansijeff@aol.com

Director:

Srividya Eashwar 10th Year of Artistic Excellence Classes offered in a combination of styles including Folk, Semi-Classical, and Fusion at various locations in Cupertino and San Jose. CONTACT INFORMATION

408-246-3005 / 408-838-3079 Email: vidyasdance@gmail.com  Web: www.xpressionsdancemusic.com

KALANJALI Dances of India Establshed in 1975

CLASSES IN BHARATANATYAM

India's most ancient classical dance

Following traditional Kalakshetra syllabus - all levels

SACRAMENTO, LAFAYETTE, BERKELEY Registration and Information:

510-526-2183

Kalanjaliusa@aol.com April 2016 | West Coast Edition | www.indiacurrents.com | 69

analysis

Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics By P. Mahadevan

hy do people lie? Let us ask a group of youngsters, say in first grade, this question in a non-intimidating, playful fashion whether they have ever lied to someone and if so, why, I believe many would say yes and for a variety of reasons such as: for fun, to win a game, to score a point, not to let mom know, claim superiority and so on. Age is apparently no bar in this game of lies. When two casual acquaintances meet, it is sometimes the case that one will talk to the other about age. Of course, I am not worried about my age, are you? It is only a number, don’t worry about it. I’m pushing fifty (non-specific whether the push is up or down), what about you? Just idle talk with an implied invitation to lie. Mark Twain characteristically commented: “Age is an issue of mind or matter. If you don’t mind, then it does not matter.”

An Inexactitude

It is considered improper to use the word “lie” in parliamentary language. The British Parliament suggested an alternative phrase: “a terminological inexactitude.” The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled, based on freedom of speech rights, that it is not illegal to lie about diplomas, military medals and honors in employment applications from military veterans. Such claims remain true until proven false. Not all lies are anathema either. I received a blogger’s comment recently stating that the famed American astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first human to land on the moon, spoke from the moon the famous words: “... a giant step for mankind” followed by another phrase: “good luck Gorky,” before boarding the Eagle space craft for the arduous return to earth. Armstrong was questioned by reporters about what that last comment meant. The astronaut refused to answer as long as Mr. Gorky was alive. Upon Gorky’s death. Mr Armstrong 70 | INDIA CURRENTS | West Coast Edition | April 2016

revealed an incident in his childhood years as he jumped over the fence into his neighbor Mr. Gorky’s property to pick up the ball that he and his friends had been playing with in their backyard in Ohio. He heard a screaming conversation from inside the house between the Gorkys “Sex is all you want. Said she. You can have all the sex you want after that neighbor kid Neil lands on the moon!” I have spent some time searching the archives for details on that second message from Armstrong. To no avail so far. The blogger probably wrote a hilarious lie.

Misled and Deceived

When one attempts to intentionally mislead by resorting to falsehood as a cover-up for personal or professional gain, the inconsequential type of lies become “damn lies.” These carry heavy risks as was the case for instance in the cases involving Bernie Madoff, the promoter of a giant Ponzi scheme. We all know what happened to him at the court of law. Two other prominent individuals in this category are Rajaratnam and Rajat Gupta. The charge in these cases was insider trading on a large scale. If the selling of the Iraq war proposal to the American public and the world was not a damn lie, what else could get that distinction? The cost, a mere two trillion dollars.

Padre, I Have Sinned

My middle school and high school years were at a Catholic school in central Kerala. Through interactions with my class mates (most of whom were Catholics) I learned a great deal on societal matters in their community, especially the relations between the church, the resident pastor and the members of the diocese. I recall a story about utilizing the practice of confessions for seeking pardons cleverly. A young man appears at the confessional window of his church and rings the bell for service.

The padre arrives at his seat, explains the procedure and gets to the point quickly. Father, I stole a piece of coir rope, says the young man. Well, you know the Lord does not approve of any stealing for any reason, says the priest. This is the first time you have come to this window. We do not want to see you here at all. Have faith in the Lord. This time, you are “poruthu” (forgiven), the padre says. The man leaves for home, hopefully somewhat chastened. Not quite yet, it seems. He turns back and returns to the same window for service. Why are you back here so quickly? asks the priest. Father, when I told you about stealing the piece of rope, I forgot to tell you that the other end of the rope I stole was loosely tied around the neck of a bull calf. So he came home with me! One of the problems in our small community was obviously cattle rustling. This young man attempted to get pardon for a serious crime through a clever, incremental process.

When Padres Obfuscate

One of the other common problems in the community, learned from our off-class discussions, was the varied ways in which the priests got around violations of the celibacy doctrine of the church. Such violations were not uncommon. Nor did they end as rumors only. Decades later and in a stranger than fiction scenario, Dan Brown, the author of the best selling thriller, Angels and Demons, narrates the story that the reigning Pope Carlo, who had just died under suspicious circumstances, fathered a child with a nun in residence at the Vatican. The Devil’s advocate appointed by the Pope, a cardinal, at the beginning of his term, strongly defended the Pope in not having violated the celibacy doctrine because the conception of the Sister was through artificial insemination. Hormonal instincts cannot, in general, be controlled by doctrine. Nor are they geographically

isolated.

Numbers Lie Too

Statistics wont prove a thing, says the old axiom. Correct to a point, By a technique of random sampling, however, the collective behavior of humans, animals, inanimate objects and events under defined circumstances can be predicted, with a reasonable degree of confidence. An example of an invalid conclusion is that global census figures indicate that every fourth child in the world is Chinese. But there is absolutely no reason for every non-Chinese mother expecting a fourth child to panic. There is no data available to sample the outcome. During any national elections, volumes of polling data are analyzed to get a handle on the possible outcome of various races. The reliability of the data being analyzed is key to an accurate prediction. Some Republican states in the United States attempted to initiate legislation in a hurry to prevent voter fraud in voting. These measures met with partial success only due either by intervention of the courts or the failure to establish a problem. It was obvious that

the states were not trying to suppress fraud but only voting in large numbers for their opponents. They all knew they were lying about fraud when they initiated legislation.

A Loaf of Bread?

The story is often told of a French mathematician, Henry Poincare (19th century), who suspected that his favorite bakery from which he bought a 1Kg size loaf of bread everyday was cheating. Patiently, he weighed the loaf everyday before use and plotted the data for statistical analysis The distribution turned out to be a normal Bell Curve with a peak value of 950 gm and a standard deviation of 50 gm. It simply meant that the loaf always weighed less than the advertised value of 1 Kg and could be as low as 900 gm. Upon his complaint, the bakery admitted the error. They also compounded the problem by admitting that they always gave the heaviest loaf of the day to the professor. Every other customer, therefore, got cheated more than the professor. The baking industry apparently knew of this problem several centuries earlier. The British trade group of bakers had instituted a clever goodwill

gesture to the public by adding an extra roll in every bag of twelve. Thus came the concept of the “bakers’ dozen.” Versions of this practice persist even today. You may find sometimes a package of six pairs of socks with the notation plus one. Temptation is the driver for deliberate misdeeds like cheating. Lying is the mechanism for cover-up of such and Conscience is what makes cowards of us all. n P. Mahadevan is a retired scientist with a Ph.D. in Atomic Physics from the University of London, England. His professional work includes basic and applied research and program management for the Dept. of Defense. He taught physics at the University of Kerala, at Thiruvananthapuram. He does very little now, very slowly.

April 2016 | West Coast Edition | www.indiacurrents.com | 71

events APRIL

California’s Best Guide to Indian Events Edited by: Mona Shah List your event for FREE! MAY issue deadline: Wednesday, April 20 To list your event in the Calendar, go to www.indiacurrents.com and click on List Your Event

Check us out on

special dates Ugadi Gudi Padva Baisakhi Tamil New Year Ramanavami Mahavir Jayanti Hanuman Jayanti Mother’s Day

April 8 April 8 April13 April 14 April 15 April 20 April 22 May 8

CULTURAL CALENDER

April

1 Friday

Bishop Ranch Holi. Face painting,

henna tattoo artists, dance performances, and live music to enjoy while you grab dinner at one of the mobile gourmet food trucks. Organized by Sunset Development. 5:30-8 p.m. BR2600 Parking Lot, 2600 Camino Ramon, San Ramon. Free. (925) 543-0100. grigley@bishopranch.com. www. bishopranch.com/event/holi-festival-bishopranch/. 72 | INDIA CURRENTS | West Coast Edition | April 2016

Sanjay Mehrotra, co-founder and CEO of SanDisk, will be one of the speakers at the TieCon 2016 conference in Santa Clara, May 6-7

April

2 Saturday

Zakir Hussain and Masters of Percussion. Tabla virtuoso and SFJAZZ

Resident Artistic Director Zakir Hussain performs with special guests. The Masters of Percussion offer an unforgettable journey into the world’s most intricate and sophisticated rhythmic practices. Ends April 3. Organized by SFJAZZ. 7:30 p.m. SFJAZZ Center, 201 Franklin St.,

San Francisco. $35-$75. (866) 920-5299. www.sfjazz.org/events/2015-16/0331/zakirhussain.

Asha Stanford’s Holi 2016. The

biggest communal celebration that brings together an unique cultural experience with about 5500 lbs of food-grade colors. Ends April 3. Organized by Asha for Education. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Stanford Eucalyptus Grove, Stanford. stanford.ashanet.org/holi/.

events

Your guide to what’s hot

THEATER

anchal Hi Na Samaaye—a play in Hindi, tells the story of a rich father who lavishes his children with money and comfort. Their lust for money is insatiable. They need more and more. And then father suddenly ends up in the hospital in a coma. A thought-

Anoushka Shankar

MUSIC

noushka Shankar is a true cross-cultural musician. Her interest in multi-genre and modern forms of music is illustrated by her previous Grammynominated albums Rise, Traveller and Traces of You. However the ancient Indian classical form she was handed down from her father Ravi Shankar is always the central current running through her work. With the aim of bringing together a variety of cultural experiences and attitudes as organically as possible, Anoushka fuses Eastern influ-

ences with electronica mixed with traditional acoustic performance and supported by an ensemble of Western and Eastern musicians, Anoushka will again explore this fascinating world. Featuring songs from her new album, Anoushka will be joined by hang player and percussionist Manu Delago and Sanjeev Shankar on shehnai, tanpura, and live electronics. n Friday, April 15, 8 p.m. The Nourse, 275 Hayes Street, San Francisco. Tickets: $30-$100 https://www.cityboxoffice.com.

provoking drama and heartwarming tale. Organized by Hamid Daudani and Group. n Sat. April 16, 7:30-10 p.m. Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road, Poway. $20, $10, $7. (858) 652-0901, (858) 279-5677. daudanih@yahoo.com. www.daudanigroup.com.

LECTURE

lecture series on the theme of Women and Leadership. Making Dreams Travel—Narrating Indian Women: The 5th Sarah Kailath Memorial Lecture by Githa Hariharan. What makes a leader, especially a Githa Hariharan “woman leader?” Does she ing this diversity of individual have to be an icon accommoand collective resistance not dated into the mainstream? only enriches our view of the Writer, activist, cultural comIndian woman leader, but also mentator, Hariharan, takes on of the notion of leadership. n these questions by recounting the lives and work of a range Wednesday, April 13, 5-7 p.m. 10 of women in the Indian mainStephens Hall (ISAS Conf. Room) stream and peripheries. LinkUC Berkeley. April 2016 | West Coast Edition | www.indiacurrents.com | 73

events

California’s Best Guide to Indian Events Indian Dance Academy. 5 p.m. San Ramon Performing Arts Center, 10550 Abion Road., San Ramon. Free. www.vrindavanacademy. com.

Hindustani Vocal Concert by Arshad Ali. Grandson of the legend-

ary sarangi maestro late Padmashree Ustad Shakoor Khan is accompanied by Harshad Kanetkar (tabla) and Udaya Kulkarni (harmonium). Organized by Basant Bahar. 3:30 p.m. Shirdi Sai Parivar, 1221 California Circle, Milpitas . $30, Free for members. surinderc@gmail.com. www. basantbahar.org.

Remembering M.S. Subbulakshmi.

Empower Yourself, an inspirational talk by Dada J.P. Vaswani, May 1.

Sangeet Dhwani Fundraising Concert. With Rujul Pathak, Hindustani

vocalist performing classical, semi-classical and devotional melodies. 4-7 p.m. Balaji Temple, 5004 N.First St., San Jose. pradjoshi@gmail.com.

Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik Live in Concert. Everlasting melodies featuring the romantic duo with a full orchestra. 7:30-11 p.m. City National Civic, 135 W San Carlos St., San Jose. $39,$49,$59,$69,$79,$99, $150, $250. (408) 579-9426. Eventcombo.com/Alkakumar, Sulekha.com/Alkakumar, Tickethungama.com/Alkakumar.

Rickshaw Girl—A Play. Based on the book by Mitali Perkins. A village in Bangladesh, a loving family, and a daring daughter. In Naima’s village, boys can work for pay, but girls are expected to stay home and help with the cooking and the cleaning. Naima desperately wants to help her father earn more money, and 74 | INDIA CURRENTS | West Coast Edition | April 2016

she thinks she knows just how to do it. A world premiere. Recommended for age 6 and up. Ends May 22. Organized by Bay Area Children’s Theatre. Shows in San Ramon, Berekely and San Francisco. (510) 296-4433. info@bactheatre.org. bactheatre. org/shows/RickshawGirl.

April

3 Sunday

The Maestro Returns. TN Krishnan with Viji Krishnan and Sriram Krishnan (violin trio) with Trichy Sankaran (mridangam) and KV Gopalakrishnan (khanjira). Organized by South India Fine Arts. 4-7 p.m. Cañada College Theatre, 4200 Farm Hill Blvd., Redwood City. $25-$50. www.southindiafinearts.org. 11th Annual Recital. A celestial journey treading conventional paths while also exploring new directions. Artistic Director, Bindu Shankar and students will perform. Organized by Vrindavan

Through her exquisite renderings, legendary Karnatik vocalist M.S. Subbulakshmi inspired the development of an extensive Bharatanatyam repertoire of classic compositions and devotional lyrics. Abhinaya students showcase a wide range of compositions made popular by M.S. such as Ganesha Pancharatnam, Madurashtakam, Brochevarevarura, Vadavaraiya Mathaaki and Bhaja Govindam. Organized by Abhinaya Dance Company. 4-7 p.m. School of Arts & Culture at Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose. $30 donor; $15 general; $10 student/senior. (408) 8715959. abdanceco@gmail.com. abhinaya.org.

Ancient Future Concert. Featuring

Matthew Montfort (guitar), Vishal Nagar (tabla), and Santurist Mariah Parker (pianist). Blending ancient world music traditions from fiery flamenco to resonant raga with the contemporary colors of jazz and rock, this variation of the world fusion music group. 7 p.m. Willits Community Theatre, 37 West Van Lane, Willits. $15. wct@willitsonline.com, cmnorris@saber. net. www.willitstheatre.org, www.ancientfuture.com/pr_4_3_16.html, www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2513758.

April

6 Wednesday

Book Launch. Into that Heaven of Freedom by Mohamed Keshavjee. The impact of apartheid on an Indian family’s diasporic history. In this book, the author, a second-generation South African, captures

events the history of his extended family, beginning 1894, when Jivan Keshavjee arrived as a “passenger” Indian and established his family in Marabastad, a settlement close to Pretoria, to which they were relegated by the racist legislation of the country. The author describes the early political struggles of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi against the backdrop of life in Marabastad and other racially demarcated enclaves, where many of the Indian leaders of the struggle against apartheid were born and formed. Organized by UCLA African Studies Center and The Aga Khan Council. 4-6 p.m. UCLA-Fowler Museum, 308 Charles E. Young Drive North, Los Angeles. Free. (310) 990-9895. suraiyarealty@yahoo.com.

April

8 Friday

Oral Cancer Screening. Screening patients using non-invasive tool. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sikka Dental Corp, 150 North Jackson Ave. #203, San Jose. Free. (408) 259-1280. info@sikkadental.com. www.drsikka.com. Preventing and Reversing Diabetes.

A free talk on ayurveda by Ashok Jethanandani. Have your blood glucose levels been creeping up in your annual tests? Are your triglycerides elevated? Have you added inches of fat around your waist? All of these may be clues to the same metabolic dysfunction that can be corrected by addressing the underlying causes. We will discuss dietary choices that can reverse the progression, and ayurvedic herbal medicines that help restore balance of health. Organized by Classical Ayurveda. 6-7 p.m. India Community Center, 525 Los Coches St., Milpitas. Free, but please pre-register. (408) 472-9705. www.indiacc.org/ayurveda.

Aham Sita—Dance and Theater Production. Presented by Vidhya

Subramanian and Gowri Ramnarayan combining dramatic dance and spoken theatre. Five crucial scenes from Sita’s life are introduced by other women characters from the Ramayana - Urmila, Surpanakha, Ahalya and Mandodari - to trace the evolution of the protagonist

California’s Best Guide to Indian Events from a naive ingenue to a mature woman with an identity of her own. Organized by Yuva Bharati. 7:30 p.m. Jewish Community Center, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. $20 general, $30 preferred. (650) 565-8859. yuva_bharati@yahoo.com. www.yuvabharati. org.

April

9 Saturday

Yoni Ki Baat 2016. Inspired by Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues, the show is a collection of authentic, unapologetic, and hilarious stories that are written and performed by women of South Asian origin. With scripts sourced from across the US and around the globe, Yoni Ki Baat (YKB) celebrates women and explores identity from the intersectional perspective of gender, race, and culture. YKB was created by the South Asian Sisters; a diverse collective of progressive South Asian women dedicated to empowering their community through art, dialogue, conscious alliances, and grassroots political action. Ends April 10. Organized by South Asian Sisters. 7-10 p.m. Women’s Building, 3543 18th St., San Francisco. $15. ykb@southasiansisters.org. www.facebook.com/YoniKiBaat/timeline. Violin Concert by T.N. Krishnan. Accompanied by Trichi Sankaram

(mridangam), and K V Gopalakrishnan (kanjira). Organized by The Music Circle. 5:30-9 p.m. Herrick Chapel at Occidental Collage, End of Alumni Drive, 1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles. $35 general, free to sustaining members, $5 students with ID. (626) 449-6987. MusicCircle@aol.com. www.MusicCircle.org.

Vocal Music Concert by Jayanti Sahasrabuddhe. Parampara, A musical

story of a guru-shishya tradition started by Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar. Accompanied by Ravi Gutala (tabla), Vivek Datar (harmonium). Organized by Anu Singh. 6:30 p.m. Mitralaya, 19306 Pinnacle Court., Saratoga. $20. (925) 2362539, (408) 398-2345. jayanti_s@yahoo. com, anuradhatsingh@gmail.com. www. jayantisahasrabuddhe.com.

Mythili Prakash and Aditya Prakash Ensemble in Performane—Jwala (Flame). Prakash’s

performances always thrill and captivate, but her ultimate goal is for the beauty of her dance to inspire transformation, an experience known as rasa. Aditya Prakash is featured vocalist for his sister Mythili matching her technical sophistication with his own interpretation of the treasured lyrics composed by revered poets. For the second part of of this program the Aditya Prakash Ensemble takes center stage. They create an original hybrid sound that frames Aditya’s Karnatik vocal style with jazz, funk, and altogether new sounds. Organized by Aratani World Series and World Festival of Sacred Music-LA. 7-9 p.m. Aratani Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles . $25/35 ($15 student). (213) 680-3700. info@festivalofsacredmusic.org. www.festivalofsacredmusic.org/event-mythiliaditya-prakash/.

Kaifi Aur Main—A Romantic Saga.

Featuring Javed Akhter, Shabana Azmi and Jaswinder Singh. Organized by India Star Plus. 7:30 p.m. Chabot College, 25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward. $35-$100. (650) 771-0933, (510) 648-0596. www.bollywoodevents.com.

Ancient Future Indian Guitar and Tabla Concert. Featuring Matthew

Montfort (guitar), Vishal Nagar (tabla), and Santurist Mariah Parker (pianist). Blending ancient world music traditions from fiery flamenco to resonant raga with the contemporary colors of jazz and rock, this variation of the world fusion music group. 8 p.m. Occidental Center for the Arts, 3850 Doris Murphy Court. (Bohemian Hwy. at Graton Road.), Occidental. $25. (707) 874-9392. info@occidentalcenterforthearts.org. www.brownpapertickets. com/event/2514232, www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org, www.ancient-future.com/ pr_4_9_16.html.

April

10 Sunday

India Heritage Scholarship Awards.

April 2016 | West Coast Edition | www.indiacurrents.com | 75

Shanti—A Journey of Peace

magine this: 150 singers; on stage; clad in coordinated sarees or kurtapyjamas. Singing Sanskrit verses and songs. An Indian choir? Brown, white, black faces. A mixed-race choir? And then 40 dancers: ballet, Indian classical, martial arts. An international music and dance event? The answer to all three questions is...yes! The show is presented by Dharma Civilization Foundation and dance curated by Sangam Arts. Its creator is Kanniks Kannikeswaran, a classical-music trained engineer who discovered the Western discipline of the Choir and set upon a mission to put the two together. Shanti was born in 2004 and since then has seen many incarnations, but with a difference: Rather than have a dedicated set of artists that travel to perform, Kanniks draws from the local community (desi and non-desi) where Shanti is being presented. Thus, among others, Cincinnati had its own; Houston its own, and now the Bay Area. Aspiring participants are encouraged to send in mp3 recordings, from which the pool of singers is short-listed. Classical training was desirable but not mandatory. What is interesting is that a significant number of the Shanti choir in the Bay Area will be comprised of the Santa Clara Chorale, which is a 90 voice auditioned choir bringing “…together knowledgeable, amateur singers from a range of ages and backgrounds to study, rehearse, and perform major choral works.” Of the Bay Area community, Kanniks says, “I am blown away by the fact that there is so much interest in the community. People drive long distances to make it to the four-hour rehearsals. There is the Bay Area professionalism. There is the willingness and interest to learn and go the extra mile to attain perfection. There is tremendous warmth and camaraderie. And there is no dearth of talent. The Bay Area is big; it is very different from creating the Shanti experience in a place like Cincinnati or Lehigh Valley (PA).” The inspiration for his creations comes from an 18th century poet called Muthuswamy Dikshitar. Kanniks explains, “I am

76 | INDIA CURRENTS | West Coast Edition | April 2016

By Priya Das

particularly fascinated by the 39 western tune inspired compositions of Dikshitar. In this set is a composition para devate inspired by a Welsh tune—that used to be played by my grandmother on the veena…This tune always touches something in me.” The segments of Shanti form an inspired, cumulative flow, a single message, while being distinct: Shivashakti is powerful with an energetic dance showcasing pairs of opposites. The flagship song sarve bhavantu sukhinah is haunting, and one finds oneself humming along and long after. The movement ashAnti depicting the ravages of greed and anger is evocative as the final form of delivery. When asked why he chose to include dance; after all, a choir is about singing, Kanniks said, “When I envisioned Shanti, the picture I had in my mind was that of a large choir of Indian and Western singers in the center, an Indian orchestra on one side, a western orchestra on the other and dancers in the center, in front, and multimedia on the side. The music expresses the story, the message, the dance brings an additional dimension to the expression.” Usha Srinivasan of Sangam Arts is responsible for this additional dimension, which she achieved by pulling together numerous groups comprising 40 dancers in all. These include dancers with Yokayam led by Surabhi Bharadwaj; Guru Shraddha (odissi) led by Niharika Mohanty; Xpressions (folk) artistically

directed by Srividya Eashwar; Tarangini (kathak) led by Anuradha Nag; NewGround Theater, led by Coleen Lorenz. There are also independent dancers, including Ganesh Vasudeva, Vinay Srinivasan, Navia Natrajan, and Samidha Satyam. “Sangam Arts is about creating social connections, Shanti presented an opportunity to do this on an unprecedented scale,” says Srinivasan. While most of the dancers and groups are established brands already, two are relatively unknown to desis: Yokayam and NewGround. What is Yokayam? It’s an exercise routine that combines yoga, kalaripayattu (South Indian martial art), and bharatanatyam. Having newly moved to San Francisco, Bharadwaj realized early that neighborhood folk were looking for a good workout after a strenuous day at work—that’s how the idea originated. What helped it along was her belief that, “This way, many who have no clue about these Indian art forms and martial arts will actually end up knowing about it and begin to appreciate them!” Bharadwaj will be presenting the pieces Surya and Buddha, along with leading Bay Area dancers. She discovered this talent pool by holding virtual auditions. Speaking about her choreography for the Buddha piece, Bharadwaj says, “Everyone is constantly in search of something which ultimately gives happiness and peace. A voice captures our attention, it energizes the body mind and spirit. We follow the voice and move as if in a mag-

events

netic field. It guides us throughout, until we find happiness and peace within us. That is eternal bliss that I’ve tried to portray in this dance.” NewGround Theater will be presenting Gange. Artistc Director Lorenz’s first reaction to Shanti,”…was a shared feeling of sacredness for life, its rituals, and joyful connection with others. I have always loved using an eclectic assortment of ethnic music in my own work, and I find the musical sounds and artistry of Shanti exquisitely beautiful and profound.” About the piece, she says, “Gange is a profoundly moving composition for me! I sense both the strength and grace of Gange’s current flowing through me when I hear the music. The arms of the dancers have become very important for me in the development of the choreography, for they represent the constant flow of the Ganges River . . . a symbol of the unshakeable life force in all of us…moving through the people of India and representing the natural process of life, death, and the afterlife. For me, Gange expresses the dimensions of our own soul.” Shanti’s emphasis of community building resonated with Lorenz as well, she explains, “Because NewGround Theatre Dance Company is founded on discovering and sharing empathic connection with others through dance, Shanti felt like a kindred spirit in the faith and hope that art can help bring people and nations together in peace.” Lorenz has also founded AUM (Arts Unity Movement), a name she especially liked because of of its namesake aum—the primordial sound and vibration in Indian culture. Dharma Civilization Foundation (DCF), the sponsor of the event, states on its website, “Shanti embodies the possibilities for concord amongst the world’s civilizations rather than their clash.” This aligns singularly well to DCF’s mission, which is “to promote philanthropic giving for creating academic and intellectual infrastructure for the systematic study of dharma, its interpretation and application in modern contexts, in formal academic settings.” n April 30, 5 and 9p.m. Flint Center 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino. May 21, time TBA, Oakland’s Interstake Auditorium, 4780 Lincoln Ave., Oakland. $30$180, ticketmaster.com.

California’s Best Guide to Indian Events The foundation recognizes Indian American high school and middle school students who exemplify what it means to be dedicated and hardworking in their communities. Organized by Indian American Heritage Foundation. Sheraton Hotel, 12725 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. www.la-indiacenter.com/1.html.

The 31st Annual Santa Barbara Kite Festival. Fun-filled day for families

and kids of all ages. There will be kite tail chasing, kite fighting and sport flying along with hundreds of kites flying high in the sky. Organized by Mazaa Unique Kites and Toys. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Santa Barbara City College’s West Campus, 973 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara. Free. (805) 9632964. rakesh@ic80.com, rakesh@ic80.com, rakesh@ic80.com. sbkitefest.net, sbkitefest. net, sbkitefest.net.

April

12 Tuesday

Book Launch of Into that Heaven of Freedom. The Impact of Apartheid on

an Indian Family’s Diasporic History. In this book, the author, a second-generation South African, captures the history of his extended family, beginning 1894, when Jivan Keshavjee arrived as a “passenger” Indian and established his family in Marabastad, a settlement close to Pretoria, to which they were relegated by the racist legislation of the country. The author describes the early political struggles of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi against the backdrop of life in Marabastad and other racially demarcated enclaves, where many of the Indian leaders of the struggle against apartheid were born and formed. Organized by University of California, Berkeley-Institute for South Asia Studies and The Aga Khan Council. 12-2 p.m. Institute for South Asia Studies, UC Berekeley, 10 Stephens Hall, Berkeley. Free. (310) 990-9895. suraiyarealty@yahoo.com.

Citizenship Workshop. Covering the

naturalization process, the test, and the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship. There’s even going to be a demonstration naturalization interview, acted out by USCIS officers. Organized by U.S.

Citizenship and Immigration Services. 12:30-2 p.m. Castroville Library, 11160 Speegle St., Castroville. Free. (831) 7698724. www.USCIS.gov.

April

13 Wednesday

Making Dreams Travel—A Lecture Series. The 5th Sarah Kailath Memorial lecture by Githa Hariharan on the theme of Women and Leadership. 5-7 p.m. Institute for South Asia Studies at UC Berkeley, 10 Stephens Hall, Berkeley. Free. (510) 642-3608. isasasst@berkeley.edu. events.berkeley.edu/index.php/calendar/sn/ csas.html?event_ID=94480&date=201604-13&filter=Target/Open%20To%20 Audiences&filtersel=.

Anoushka Shankar Live in Concert. She will be playing compositions

from her latest album Land of Gold, which is her passionate response to the ongoing refugee crisis. Organized by Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA. 8 p.m. Royce Hall, 10745 Dickson Court., Los Angeles . (310) 825-2101. monishas@ arts.ucla.edu. cap.ucla.edu/calendar/details/ anoushka_shankar.

April

15 Friday

An Evening with Anoushka Shankar. Featuring songs from her new

album, Anoushka will be joined by hang player and percussionist Manu Delago and Sanjeev Shankar on shehnai, tanpura, and live electronics. Organized by CIIS Public Programs and Performances. 8-10 p.m. Nourse Theater, 275 Hayes St., San Fransciso. $30 - $75. (415) 575-6175. publicprograms@ciis.edu. www.ciis.edu/publicprograms-and-performances/public-programsevent-calendar/shankar-sp16.

April

16 Saturday

Spring Garden Market. A massive plant sale to buy a variety of vegetable plants all grown by teams of UC Master Gardener volunteers. Organized by UCCE Master Gardeners of Santa Clara

April 2016 | West Coast Edition | www.indiacurrents.com | 77

events

California’s Best Guide to Indian Events business/entrepreneurship, personal development, social media, health and wellness, personal finance and more. Keynote speakers include Mindy Kaling, Abby Wambach, John Jacobs and Leila Janah. Breakout and panel sessions feature 100+ leaders from a broad crosssection of industries. Speakers include: Malika Chopra, Robin Hauser Reynolds, Danielle Feinberg, Linda Oubre and Isis Anchalee. Ends April 26. Organized by Conference for Women. 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. San Jose Convention Center, 150 W San Carlos St., San Jose . $260. mclark@ conferenceforwomen.org. www.watermarkconferenceforwomen.org.

The Man Who Knew Infinity On the Life and Legacy of Srinivas Ramanujan. Featuring film director Matthew

Musical trio consisting of Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa perform for Sankara’s fundraiser, April 29

County. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. History Park San Jose, 1650 Senter Road @ Phelan Ave, San Jose . Free. (408) 554-8585, (408) 3153400, (408) 396-7808. levittshari@gmail. com, shalinisdesk@gmail.com. mastergardeners.org/spring-garden-market, mastergardeners.org/scc.html, www.facebook.com/sccmastergardeners/.

Aanchal Hi Na Samaaye—A Hindi Play. Story of a rich father who lavishes his children with money and comfort. Their lust for money is insatiable. They need more and more. And then father suddenly ends up in the hospital in a coma. A thought provoking drama and heartwarming tale. Organized by Hamid Daudani and Group. 7:30-10 p.m. Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road, Poway. $20, $10, $7. (858) 652-0901, (858) 279-5677. daudanih@ yahoo.com. www.daudanigroup.com.

April

17 Wednesday

Music Concert. Featuring Vishaka Hari

and Thyagaraja Rammayanam. Organized by Kalalaya. 4:30 p.m. Sunnyvale Hindu Temple Auditorium, 450 Persian Drive., Sunnyvale. $20, $35, $50 VIP. kalalayausa. com, www.sulekha.com.

78 | INDIA CURRENTS | West Coast Edition | April 2016

Karnatik Music Concert. South Indian music gets re-upped. Original songs along traditional lines with improvisations backed by tambura drone lutes, mridangam double drum and ghatam clay percussion. 6:30-9 p.m. Studio Grand, 3234 Grand Ave., Oakland. $15-$20. info@studiograndoakland.org. carnatic-studiogrand. eventbrite.com. Puja and Piety: Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist Art from the Indian Subcontinent. This presentation is the first

in North America to celebrate the diversity of South Asian art by examining the relationship between aesthetic expression and the devotional practice in the three native religions of the Indian subcontinent of Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. Ends Aug. 28. Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St, Santa Barbara. www. sbma.net.

April

21 Thursday

Watermark Conference for Women Silicon Valley. The 2nd annual Water-

mark Conference for Women Silicon Valley will feature nationally recognized speakers on leadership, career advancement, small

Brown and a panel of mathematicians Manjul Bhargava (Princeton University), Ken Ono (Emory University), and Kannan Soundararajan (Stanford University). Organized by SACHI, Society for Art & Cultural Heritage of India and Department of Mathematics, Stanford University. 7:30 p.m. Cubberly Auditorium at Stanford University. sachi.org.

59th San Francisco International Film Festival. The Festival combines a

range of marquee premieres, international competitions, compelling documentaries, new media work, musical performances and star-studded events. Ends May 5. Organized by San Francisco Film Society. Alamo Drafthouse New Cinema, Castro Theatre, Victoria Theatre, Roxie Theatre, Gray Area. www.sffs.org/exhibition/ coming-soon.

April

23 Saturday

Vasanthothsavam. JagadOdhAranA

: The Art of Transcendence, A Musical Discourse Tribute to Dr. M. S. Subbulakshmi. Various performances throughout the day. Organized by South India Fine Arts. 9:30 a.m. CET - Soto Theater, 701 Vine St., San Jose. www.southindiafinearts. org.

The 7th Annual Birthday Tribute

events

California’s Best Guide to Indian Events

To Maestro Ali Akbar Khan. 1 p.m. Ram Kaundinya (tabla solo). 1:30 p.m. Gaayatri Kaundinya (vocal performance) and Ram Kaundinya (tabla). 2:45p.m. Sudhakar Vaidyanathan (tabla solo). 3:30 p.m. Peter Van Gelder (sitar), Bruce Hamm (sarode) and Indranil Mallick (tabla). 7 p.m. Shubhangi Sakhalkar (vocal), Ravi Gutala (tabla), Vivek Datar (harmonium). 9 p.m. Alam Khan (sarode), Swapan Chaudhuri (tabla), accompanied by Manik Khan (sarode). 1-10 p.m. Ali Akbar College of Music, 215 West End Ave., San Rafael. $20-$60. (415) 4546372. office@aacm.org. www.aacm.org. Karnatik Music Concert. Fourth anniversary celebration of SR Fine Arts. Organized by SR Fine Arts. 3-7 p.m. Community Of Infinite Spirit, 1540 Hick’s Ave., San Jose. Free. (408) 569-0860. dirsrfa@ gmail.com. www.srfinearts.info. Saayujya—The Merging. Featuring TM Krishna and Priyadarsini Govind, two of the foremost masters of karnatik music and bharatanatyam dance genres. To celebrate the spirit of freedom and independence, this new work is centered around liberation from and evolution beyond our small personal selves in order to soar to the larger collective and higher planes of meaning and existence. Organized by Ektaa Center and Arpana Dance Company. 7-10 p.m. James Armstrong Theater, 7 Mecklenberg, 3330 Civic Center Drive., Torrance. $45, $35. (310) 781-7171, (949) 300-8912. info@ektaacenter.org. itkt.choicecrm.net/templates/TORR/, www.ektaacenter.org/atektaa.html, saayujya.sruti.org.

April

24 Sunday

Karnatik Music Concert. Venu Vina Duet and Saayujya - a collaboration of music and dance by Carnatic maestro, Shri. T. M. Krishna and Bharatanatyam exponent, Kalaimamani Smt. Priyadarsini Govind. Organized by South India Fine Arts. Smithwick Theater, Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road., Los Altos Hills. www.southindiafinearts.org.

Ektaa and Aparna Dance Comapny present Saayuja, merging Indian music and dance traditions. Featuring TM Krishna and Priyadarsini Govind, two of the foremost masters of karnatik music and bharatanatyam dance genres. To celebrate the spirit of freedom and independence, this new work is centered around liberation from and evolution beyond our small personal selves in order to soar to the larger collective and higher planes of meaning and existence. April 23 in Torrance.

April

25 Monday

Book Launch and Reading by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. In her latest

novel, Divakaruni explores the relationships between mothers and daughters, and the different kinds of love that bind us across generations. Before We Visit the Goddess captures the gorgeous complexity of these multi-generational and transcontinental bonds, sweeping across the twentieth century from the countryside of Bengal, India, to the streets of Houston, Texas—an extraordinary journey told through a sparkling symphony of male and female voices. 7 p.m. Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. www.chitradivakaruni.com.

April

26 Tuesday

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni in Coversation with Lisa See. In her

latest novel, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni explores the relationships between mothers and daughters, and the different kinds of love that bind us across generations. Before We Visit the Goddess captures the gorgeous complexity of these multi-generational and transcontinental bonds, sweeping across the twentieth century from the countryside of Bengal, India, to the streets of Houston, Texas—an extraordinary journey told through a sparkling symphony of male and female voices. 7 p.m. Pages Bookstore, 904 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach. www.chitradivakaruni.com.

April

27 Wednesday

Book Launch and Reading by April 2016 | West Coast Edition | www.indiacurrents.com | 79

events Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. In her

latest novel, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni explores the relationships between mothers and daughters, and the different kinds of love that bind us across generations. Before We Visit the Goddess captures the gorgeous complexity of these multigenerational and transcontinental bonds, sweeping across the twentieth century from the countryside of Bengal, India, to the streets of Houston, Texas—an extraordinary journey told through a sparkling symphony of male and female voices. 7 p.m. Books, Inc, 301 Castro St., Mountain View. www.chitradivakaruni.com.

April

28 Thursday

Book Launch and Reading by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. 7 p.m.

Bookshop Santa Cruz, 1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. www.chitradivakaruni.com.

Sleepless in Santa Clara Valley? A

talk on ayurvedic remedies for insomnia by Ashok Jethanandani. Have you been experiencing difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep at night? We will discuss various causes of insomnia, good sleep habits, and ayurvedic remedies for improving sleep. Organized by Classical Ayurveda. 7-8:30 p.m. Los Altos Library, 13 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos . Free. (650) 948-7683, (408) 472-9705. www. classical-ayurveda.com, www.sccl.org/Locations/Los-Altos.

April

29 Friday

Book Launch and Reading by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. 7 p.m. Books, Inc, 1491 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. www. chitradivakaruni.com.

Annual Fundraising Concert Featuring Shankar Ehsaan Loy (SEL). Bollywood trio of music com-

posers exploiting the unique strength of its members, with Indian classical music of Shankar Mahadevan, the rock and acoustic pop of Ehsaan Noorani, and the electronica-fusion of Loy Mendonsa—the SEL trio has created successful music that 80 | INDIA CURRENTS | West Coast Edition | April 2016

California’s Best Guide to Indian Events is both traditional and progressive. Organized by Sankara Eye Foundation. 7:30 p.m. San Jose State University, 1 Washington Sq., San Jose. $49-$200. www.giftofvision. org/sel-sanjose-concert.

The Empire by Anuvab Pal—A Stand up Comedy Show. Pals mega

solo show is based loosely on the history of India under the British Empire. Many very funny episodes, sketches, characters from Mughal India to modern India are explored by a cowardly Indian man under the influence; the British influence, in a rollicking laugh a minute concert. Organized by Enacte Arts. 8 p.m. India Community Center, 525 Los Coches St., Milpitas. enacte.org/production/the-empire/.

April

30 Saturday

Dance Recital by Chandana Senthilkumar. Organized by Krishna-

geetham Performing Arts. 3-4 p.m. Community Of Infinite Spirit, 1540, Hick’s Ave., San Jose. Free. (408) 569-0860. dirsrfa@ gmail.com. www.krishnageethamperformingarts.com.

Archana 2016: Folk Traditions of India. IFA, a local non-profit, presents

its 22nd annual fundraiser Archana 2016, a highly entertaining cultural program featuring more than 100 local performers and enticing all your senses.Showcasing India’s cultural richness and diversity through folk dances, songs, and drama while highlighting the issues that perpetuate cycles of poverty in India and the long-lasting solutions being funded by IFA. Organized by India Friends Association. 4-7 p.m. Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. $45, student/senior $25. (805) 415-5230. totmd1@gmail.com. indiafriendsassociation.org, www.facebook.com/ events/983770885039555/.

Performance by comedian Anuvab Pal, April 29

Dharma Civilization Foundation. 5-7 p.m. Flint Center, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino. $69-$189. (614) 668-1668. info@dcfusa.org. www.dcfshanti.org.

Sitar Concert by Shujaat Khan. Organized by UC Santa Cruz Music Department. 7:30 p.m. Recital Hall, UC Santa Cruz Music Center, Meyer Drive, UC Santa Cruz. $10 general; $8 senior; $6 youth/students w/ID. (831) 459-4731. artsevents@ ucsc.edu. arts.ucsc.edu/news_events/indianclassical-music-shujaat-khan-sitar. Narika Annual Fundrasing Gala.

Champagne service, open bar, food and entertainment. Organized by Narika. 6 p.m.-12 a.m. Sutter Room, Regency Center, 1270 Sutter St., San Francisco. $150. gala@ narika.org. www.narika.org.

Shanti—A Journey of Peace. Shanti represents the meeting of Western and Eastern cultures. Featuring over 250 musicians, the Santa Clara Chorale and a string orchestra along with dancers on stage, from the Bay Area. Organized by

Noises Off, a play in Hindi, May 7-15

events

California’s Best Guide to Indian Events Noises Off—A Play In Hindi. Often

called the funniest farce ever written, Michael’s Frayn’s Noises Off is a play-within-a-play, presenting a manic menagerie as a cast of actors rehearsing a sex romp hours before opening night. Lines are forgotten, love triangles unravel, gloves and clothes come off, and there are flying fish everywhere. Ends May 15. Organized by Naatak. 6 p.m. Cubberley Theater, 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. $25, VIP $35. (408) 499-5692. tickets@naatak.com, rajiv_nema@hotmail.com. www.naatak.org.

India Friends Association, a local non-profit, presents its 22nd annual fundraiser Archana 2016, a highly entertaining cultural program featuring more than 100 local performers and enticing all your senses.Showcasing India’s cultural richness and diversity through folk dances, songs, and drama while highlighting the issues that perpetuate cycles of poverty in India and the longlasting solutions being funded by IFA. April 30 in Thousand Oaks.

May

1 Sunday

Empower Yourself—A Talk in English by Dada J.P. Vaswani. Talk is followed by a Q&A session. 6 p.m. Santa Clara Convention Center, Mission Ballroom, 5001 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara. Free. (408) 218-6346. dadasf2016@gmail. com.

May

3 Tuesday

Preventing and Reversing Diabetes.

A talk on ayurveda by Ashok Jethanandani. Have your blood glucose levels been creeping up in your annual tests? Are your triglycerides elevated? Have you added inches of fat around your waist? All of these may be clues to the same metabolic dysfunction that can be corrected by addressing the underlying causes. We will discuss dietary choices that can reverse the progression, and ayurvedic herbal medicines that help restore balance of health. Organized by Classical Ayurveda. 7-8:30 p.m. Saratoga Library, 13650 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga. Free. (408) 472-9705. www. sccl.org/Saratoga, www.classical-ayurveda. com.

May

6 Friday

TiEcon 2016 Conference. Attendees

will have the opportunity to immerse themselves into the latest in technology across the hottest industry segments and hear from several successful entrepreneurs and leaders, including Shantanu Narayen, President and CEO of Adobe Systems; Diane Greene, Sr. VP of Google’s Cloud Business, Google Board Member and co-founder and former CEO of VMware; and Sanjay Mehrotra, co-founder and CEO of SanDisk. Ends May 7. Organized by TiE Silicon Valley. Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara. www.tiecon.org.

May

7 Saturday

Bharatanatyam Arangetram of Aditi Vaidya. Student of Indumathy

May

8 Sunday

Karnatik Music Concert. Featuring Ranjani and Gayathri, M.Rajeev and Sai Giridhar. Organized by SanKritiLaya. 3:30 p.m. TBD. www.sankritilaya.org. © Copyright 2016 India Currents. All rights reserved. Reproduction for commercial use strictly prohibited.

It’s all about greed A dillemma for a rich father with his spoilt children A thought provoking drama full of suspense and heartwarming tale!

Ganesh, Artistic Director of Nrithyollasa Dance Academy. Accompanied by Indumathy Ganesh (choreography and nattuvangam), Vidya Iyer (nattuvangam), Asha Ramesh (vocal), Ravindrabharathy Sridharan (mridangam), Vikram Ragukumar (violin), and Ashwin Krishnakumar (flute). Organized by Nrithyollasa Dance Academy. 4 p.m. Jackson Theater, Ohlone College, 43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont. Free. (510) 579-8525, (510) 388-2012, (510) 623-8230. aditiarangetram16@gmail.com, info@nldance.com. www.nldance.com.

Tickets: $7, $10, $20

Saturday April 16, 2016 at 7:30pm Poway Center for the Performing Arts 15498 Espola Road, Poway, CA 92064

RESERVE YOUR TICKETS WITH: Hamid Daudani (858) 652-0901 daudanih@yahoo.com Nadira Javaid (858) 525-3854 Manoj Maniar (858) 699-5899 www.tickethungama.com

www.sulekha.com

For more information Visit: www.daudanigroup.com

April 2016 | West Coast Edition | www.indiacurrents.com | 81

SPIRITUALITY & HEALTH

April

1 Sunday

Ribhu Gita. Silent meditation, reading

and commentary by Nome. 8-9:30 p.m. Society of Abidance in Truth (SAT Temple), 1834 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. Free. (831) 425-7287. sat@cruzio.com. satramana.org/ web/events/calendar/, satramana.org/web/ events/boundless-wisdom/.

April

2 Saturday

Sri Sundarakanda Ramayana of Goswami Tulsidas. Chant will be ac-

companied by melodies by Ram Saxena. 2:30 p.m. Badarikashrama, 15602 Maubert Ave., San Leandro. Free. (510) 278-2444. badarik@pacbell.net. www.badarikashrama. org.

Sri Sundarakanda Ramayana of Goswami Tulsidas. Sundara Kanda is

know as the beautiful episode which is at the heart of Ramayana. Chanting will be accompanied by melodies by Ram Saxena. Organized by Badarikashrama. 2:30 p.m. 15602 Maubert Ave., San Leandro. Free. (510) 278-2444. badarik@pacbell.net. www. badarikashrama.org.

April

3 Sunday

Getting Acquainted with God.

Sunday Service.In NorCal— SRF Center Sacramento, 4513 North Ave., Sacramento. (916) 483-9644. SRF Center Los Gatos, 303 E. Main St., Los Gatos. (408) 252-5299. Berkeley Temple, 3201 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, (510) 984-0084. www.yoganandasrf.org. Contact temples for times. In SoCal— Lake Shrine Temple and Retreat, 17190 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. (310) 454-4114. Hollywood Temple, 4860 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. (323) 661-8006. Glendale Temple, 2146 East Chevy Chase Drive, Glendale. (818) 543-0800. Fullerton Temple, 142 East Chapman Ave., Fullerton. (714) 525-1291. Encinitas Temple, 939 Second Street, Encinitas. (760) 436-7220. San Diego Temple, 3072 First Avenue, San Diego. (619) 295-0170. Call temples for times. Organized by Self Realization Fellowship. www.yogananda-srf.org. 82 | INDIA CURRENTS |West Coast Edition | April 2016

Satsang. Silent meditation, discourse and

dialogues on Self-Knowledge and Self-inquiry. Recitation in Sanskrit and English of Vedantic texts. Recitation of Tamil Ribhu Gita, followed by prasad, and puja. 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Society of Abidance in Truth (SAT Temple), 1834 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. Free. (831) 425-7287. sat@cruzio.com. satramana.org/web/events/satsangs/, satramana. org/web/events/calendar/.

Lecture on The Technology of Transformation: The Divine Feminine and Her Sacred Text. by Rita Sherma. 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Cultural

Integration Fellowship, 2650 Fulton St., San Francisco. (415) 668-1559. culturalfellowship@sbcglobal.net. culturalintgrationfellowship.org.

Sri Bhagavad Gita Talk and Kirtan by Suman and Sargam Shah. Orga-

nized by Badarikashrama. 11 a.m. 15602 Maubert Ave., San Leandro. Free. (510) 278-2444. badarik@pacbell.net. www.badarikashrama.org.

April

6 Wednesday

Atmotsava. Meditation, readings by

Nome from devotional texts, chanting of stotrams, bhajans, learning to recite in Sanskrit and Tamil followed by prasad. 7:30-10 p.m. Society of Abidance in Truth (SAT Temple), 1834 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. Free. (831) 425-7287. sat@cruzio.com. satramana.org/web/events/atmotsava/.

April

7 Thursday

Sri Rama Navami Celebrations 2016. It is a holy tradition among devo-

tees to celebrate Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam on Chaitra Suddha Navami. The Kalyana Mahotsavam will be performed following the traditions of the famous Sri Sita Ramachandra Swami Temple of Bhadrachalam. Ends April 17. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Shiva Vishnu Temple, 1232 Arrowhead Ave., Livermore . (925) 449-6255. livermore.shivavishnutemple@gmail.com. www.livermoretemple.org/ hints/content/html/2016/sri-ramanavami.pdf.

April

8 Friday

Chandramana Yugadhi. A Sri Rudra

Abhisheka will be performed to mark this auspicious occasion. All in attendance will have an opportunity to participate in the abhisheka by offering milk. Organized by Badarikashrama. 6:30 p.m. 15602 Maubert Ave., San Leandro. Free. (510) 278-2444. badarik@pacbell.net. www.badarikashrama. org.

Meditation. Self-inquiry meditation

instruction by Nome, silent meditation, dialogues. 8-9:30 p.m. Society of Abidance in Truth (SAT Temple), 1834 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. Free. (831) 425-7287. sat@ cruzio.com. satramana.org/web/events/calendar/, satramana.org/web/events/meditation/.

April

9 Saturday

Mata Ki Chowki. Sri Ma Durga Bha-

jan Mandali will sing bhajans and kirtan. Organized by Badarikashrama. 6 p.m. 15602 Maubert Ave., San Leandro. Free. (510) 278-2444. badarik@pacbell.net. www. badarikashrama.org.

April

10 Sunday

Healing Through Understanding the Nature of Consciousness and Matter. Sunday Service.In NorCal—

SRF Center Sacramento, 4513 North Ave., Sacramento. (916) 483-9644. SRF Center Los Gatos, 303 E. Main St., Los Gatos. (408) 252-5299. Berkeley Temple, 3201 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, (510) 984-0084. www.yogananda-srf.org. Contact temples for times. In SoCal— Lake Shrine Temple and Retreat, 17190 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. (310) 454-4114. Hollywood Temple, 4860 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. (323) 661-8006. Glendale Temple, 2146 East Chevy Chase Drive, Glendale. (818) 543-0800. Fullerton Temple, 142 East Chapman Ave., Fullerton. (714) 525-1291. Encinitas Temple, 939 Second Street, Encinitas. (760) 436-7220. San Diego Temple, 3072 First Avenue, San Diego. (619) 295-0170. Call temples for times. Organized by Self Realization Fellowship. www.yogananda-srf.org.

Satsang. Recitation in Sanskrit and English of Vedantic texts. Recitation of Tamil Ribhu Gita, followed by prasad, and puja to Lord Siva and Sri Ramana. 10 a.m.2:30 p.m. Society of Abidance in Truth (SAT

Temple), 1834 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. Free. (831) 425-7287. sat@cruzio.com. satramana.org/web/events/satsangs/.

April

16 Saturday

Sri Ramanavami Music Festival.

day Chitra Navaratri or Vasant Navarati. Organized by Badarikashrama. 10 a.m. 15602 Maubert Ave., San Leandro. Free. (510) 278-2444. badarik@pacbell.net. www. badarikashrama.org.

Bay Area karnatik music schools will be performing throughout the weekend with bhajans, kirtan and ragas. Ends April 17. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Badarikashrama, 15602 Maubert Ave., San Leandro. Free. (510) 278-2444. badarik@pacbell.net. www. badarikashrama.org.

Lecture on CIIS and the Evolution of Conciousness by Anton Grosz.

66th Aradhana of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. Talk by composer

Sri Durga Homa. This marks the third

11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Cultural Integration Fellowship, 2650 Fulton St., San Francisco. (415) 668-1559. culturalfellowship@sbcglobal.net. culturalintegrationfellowship.org.

April

13 Wednesday

Atmotsava. Meditation, readings by

Spiritual Program with Swami Govindananda. 7:30-9 p.m. Radha Govind

Dham, Los Angeles, 5530 Donna Ave., Tarzana. Free. (626) 818-6994. rgdlosangeles@ gmail.com. rgdla.org, ji-living.com.

April

15 Friday

Sri Ramanavami Puja and Kirtan.

This marks the day of Sri Rama’s birth. Ramanavami puja followed by kirtan and stuthi’s from Ramacharitamanasa of Goswami Tulsidas led by Ram Saxena. Organized by Badarikashrama. 7 p.m. 15602 Maubert Ave., San Leandro. Free. (510) 278-2444. badarik@pacbell.net. www. badarikashrama.org.

Ramana Darshanam. Silent medita-

tion, reading and commentary by Nome. 8-9:30 p.m. Society of Abidance in Truth (SAT Temple), 1834 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. Free. (831) 425-7287. sat@cruzio.com. satramana.org/web/events/calendar/.

Kanniks Kannikeswaran, followed by bhajans, veda parayanam and arati. Lunch will be served at 1 p.m. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Fremont Senior Center, 40086 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont. Free. (510) 656-2752. sunita_parasuraman@yahoo.com.

April

17 Sunday

What Is Your Role in Life? Sunday Service.In NorCal— SRF Center Sacramento, 4513 North Ave., Sacramento. (916) 483-9644. SRF Center Los Gatos, 303 E. Main St., Los Gatos. (408) 252-5299. Berkeley Temple, 3201 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, (510) 984-0084. www.yoganandasrf.org. Contact temples for times. In SoCal— Lake Shrine Temple and Retreat, 17190 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. (310) 454-4114. Hollywood Temple, 4860 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. (323) 661-8006. Glendale Temple, 2146 East Chevy Chase Drive, Glendale. (818) 543-0800. Fullerton Temple, 142 East Chapman Ave., Fullerton. (714) 525-1291. Encinitas Temple, 939 Second Street, Encinitas. (760) 436-7220. San Diego Temple, 3072 First Avenue, San Diego. (619) 295-0170. Call temples for times. Organized by Self Realization Fellowship. www.yogananda-srf.org. Satsang. Silent meditation, discourse

and dialogues on Self-Knowledge and Self-inquiry. 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Society of Abidance in Truth (SAT Temple), 1834 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. Free. (831) 4257287. sat@cruzio.com. satramana.org/web/ events/satsangs/.

April

20 Wednesday

Atmotsava. Meditation, readings by Nome from devotional texts, chanting

of stotrams, bhajans, learning to recite in Sanskrit and Tamil followed by prasad. 7:30-10 p.m. Society of Abidance in Truth (SAT Temple), 1834 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. Free. (831) 425-7287. sat@cruzio.com. satramana.org/web/events/atmotsava/.

April

22 Friday

Chitra Purnima Puja (Sri Satyanarayana Puja). The first purnima

celebrated in devotion and prayer with a Sri Satyanarayana puja. 7 p.m. Badarikashrama, 15602 Maubert Ave., San Leandro. Free. (510) 278-2444. badarik@pacbell.net. www.badarikashrama.org.

Chitragupta Day. Meditation, readings from the Upanishads, and puja to Lord Chitragupta and Lord Siva. 7:30-10 p.m. Society of Abidance in Truth (SAT Temple), 1834 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. Free. (831) 425-7287. sat@cruzio.com. satramana. org/web/events/festivals/chitragupta-day/, satramana.org/web/sat-temple/sri-sadisvaramandiram/, satramana.org/web/bhagavansri-ramana-maharshi/.

April

23 Saturday

Hanuman Jayanti Celebration.

Chanting of Hanuman Chalisa 108 times to honor and celebrate the birth of Sri Hanuman. The chanting will be led by Ram Saxena, Bharati Bhakta and Vinodini Patel. 9:30 a.m. Badarikashrama, 15602 Maubert Ave., San Leandro. Free. (510) 278-2444. badarik@pacbell.net. www. badarikashrama.org.

April

24 Sunday

Concentration: Key to Communion With God. Sunday Service.In NorCal— SRF Center Sacramento, 4513 North Ave., Sacramento. (916) 483-9644. SRF Center Los Gatos, 303 E. Main St., Los Gatos. (408) 252-5299. Berkeley Temple, 3201 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, (510) 984-0084. www.yogananda-srf.org. Contact temples for times. In SoCal— Lake Shrine Temple and Retreat, 17190 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. (310) 454-4114. Hollywood Temple, 4860 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. (323) 661-8006. Glendale Temple, 2146 East Chevy Chase

April 2016 | West Coast Edition | www.indiacurrents.com | 83

Drive, Glendale. (818) 543-0800. Fullerton Temple, 142 East Chapman Ave., Fullerton. (714) 525-1291. Encinitas Temple, 939 Second Street, Encinitas. (760) 436-7220. San Diego Temple, 3072 First Avenue, San Diego. (619) 295-0170. Call temples for times. Organized by Self Realization Fellowship. www.yogananda-srf.org.

Mini Yoga Retreat. With Swami Jnaneswariananda. Vegetarian brunch provided. Advanced class. 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, 1185 Vicente St., San Francisco. $30. (415) 681-2731. sanfrancisco@sivananda.org. sivanandasf.org/course/5687. Satsang. Silent meditation, discourse and dialogues on Self-Knowledge and Self-inquiry. 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Society of Abidance in Truth (SAT Temple), 1834 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. Free. (831) 4257287. sat@cruzio.com. satramana.org/web/ events/satsangs/, satramana.org/web/events/ calendar/. Public Lecture on Ancient Sufi Teaching Stories with Mushida Rabia Ana Perez Laflamme. 11 a.m.-

12:15 p.m. Cultural Integration Fellowship, 2650 Fulton St., San Francisco. (415) 668-1559. culturalfellowship@sbcglobal.net. culturalintegrationfellowship.org.

Sri Satyanarayana Puja and Kirtan by Suman and Sargam Shah. This

puja was composed by ancient Vedic Rishis as a simple form of worship during busy life. Through the invocation of Ganesha, Navagraha (nine planets) and Sriman Narayana this worship brings great blessings. It develops bhakti and brings brings peace and prosperity to the sincere seeker. Organized by Badarikashrama. 11 a.m. Badarikashrama, 15602 Maubert Ave., San Leandro. Free. (510) 278-2444. badarik@pacbell.net. www.badarikashrama. org.

April

29 Friday

Meditation. Self-inquiry meditation

Place your event for free:

27 Wednesday

Atmotsava. Meditation, readings by

Cruz. Free. (831) 425-7287. sat@cruzio. com. satramana.org/web/events/atmotsava/, satramana.org/web/bhagavan-sri-ramanamaharshi/, satramana.org/web/sat-temple/ sri-sadisvara-mandiram/.

w w w. i n d i a c u r r e n t s . c o m / submit-event

Nome from devotional texts, chanting of stotrams, bhajans, learning to recite in Sanskrit and Tamil followed by prasad. 7:30-10 p.m. Society of Abidance in Truth (SAT Temple), 1834 Ocean St., Santa

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GLORIOUS SECOND COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST J

esus Christ is coming back again to this world as "the King of Kings & the Lord of Lords" to judge Nations with HIS righteousness, to be with HIS people who have accepted Christ into their hearts & lived/living a life acceptable to Christ, having their names written in "the Book of Life" & to live with them forever. For the Lord Jesus Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we, who are alive and remain, shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. No one knows the day & hour when Jesus Christ will come back, not even the angels of heaven, but only the Father God in heaven. The day of Christ coming also called as "the Day of the Lord" will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Nevertheless we, according to HIS promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Jesus Christ coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but MY words will by no means pass away”

What will happen to people who are left behind during Christ Second coming?

Who will not be with Christ forever?

For people whose names are written in "the Book of Life" it will be a glorious day & for others it will be a day of destruction. The Lord will consume with the breath of HIS mouth and destroy with the brightness of HIS coming.

What will be the signs before Second coming of Christ & of the end age?

After coming of Christ, Satan will be bound for 1000 years. Saints of God will rule with Christ during these 1000 years. There will be no death and everyone will live happy with joy & peace, since the Prince of Peace will rule them. After 1000 years of Christ reign, satan will be released to see the reign of Christ with righteousness. Satan will go around nations deceiving people one more time and gather few folks to fight against HIS saints. God will send fire and devour them. Satan will be sent to hell forever.

Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. Only people whose sins are cleansed by the Blood of Christ, lived/living righteous life before Christ & have their names written in "the Book of Life" will inherit the Kingdom of God or to be with HIM forever. The Bible says in 1Cor 6:9-10, Gal 5:19-21, Rom 1:29-32, Rev 21:8, Rev 14:9-11 that the unrighteous people will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Many will be deceived during last days saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ therefore do not go after them. But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end will not come immediately. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Many will be persecuted, beaten, killed, offended, betrayed and hated for Christ sake even by parents, brothers, relatives, friends and children. But not a hair of your head shall be lost. By your patience possess your souls. Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the entire world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

The Great Tribulation

1000 years of Christ reign

The Great White Throne Judgment

After casting Satan into the Lake of fire (hell), Christ will judge the dead & the Nations with HIS Righteousness. If anyone’s name is not found in “the Book of Life”, then they will be cast into the Lake of fire. Whomsoever name is found in “the Book of Life” will have eternal life with Christ in New Heaven, New Earth & New Jerusalem. There is no death, no sorrow, no crying & no pain.

Now how can I redeem this Gift of Salvation in my life, so I can be with Christ forever?

All we have to do is to believe Jesus, accept HIM into your heart, ask HIM to cleanse your sins by HIS precious blood & live a life acceptable to Christ every day from now on. (Repeat this simple prayer - Prayer means talking to God in your heart)

But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, and then know that its desolation is near. Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place where it ought not, then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Jesus predicts the destruction of Temple of God to his disciples saying, “The days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down”. For in those days there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of creation of this world. And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved.

Lord Jesus, Thank you for coming into this world for me and my sins. I truly accept you just as I am. Come into my heart; cleanse me and my sins with your precious Blood. Be in my heart forever and help me to live and lead a Holy life like you. I also invite YOU & Your Holy Spirit to come into my heart and give me the Joy, Peace, Happiness, Deliverance from sins, bondages and sickness forever. Thank you for giving me the assurance of being with me forever. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Immediately after the tribulation of those days, there will be signs like the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see

If you have truly meant this prayer, then you have accepted Jesus Christ into your heart & your name will be written in “the Book of Life”. HE will be with you forever. HE will not leave you nor forsake you. If you need prayers or would like to know more about Jesus, then you can visit nearby Christian churches who believes in Trinity (The Father God, Lord Jesus Christ & The Holy Spirit) or email us at : info@christforworld.org April 2016 | West Coast Edition | www.indiacurrents.com | 85

86 | INDIA CURRENTS |West Coast Edition | April 2016

health

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health

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healthy life

Got Water? An ayurvedic guide to drinking water By Ashok Jethanandani

ow much water should you drink in a day? There isn’t a simple answer to this question that applies for everyone. Individual needs vary. You need more water depending on your constitution (people of pitta prakruti tend to feel hotter, sweat more, and feel thirstier); season (summer); location (hot, dry, windy); diet (dry foods); disease conditions (diabetes); and medications (diuretics). So it is best to listen to your body’s signals and respond to them promptly.

Don’t ignore thirst

drink when you feel the need to quench your thirst. At first you may not like the taste of warm water, but in a week or so it will start feeling good.

Why warm water?

Warm water balances kapha and vata doshas, reduces fat, digests ama (a toxic product of improperly digested food), improves appetite, and flushes the urinary tract. Try drinking warm water, and observe how you feel. Note any changes in your appetite, the time it takes to digest meals, body weight, and urination and bowel habits. If you had problems of constipation, flatulence, breathing difficulties, body ache, stiffness, lethargy, cough, sore throat, or runny nose before, do you notice any changes? Some people may not be able to down warm water at all. They may have a pitta

processes. This has an adverse effect on body weight and immune strength. So in ayurveda when cool water is advised, it means water at room temperature— “water, no ice.”

When is it too much?

Water is the best drink, but you can have too much of a good thing. Drinking too much water diminishes the digestive agni, and causes indigestion. Undigested food produces ama, a heavy sticky substance that blocks channels in the body, and combines with the doshas to cause various illnesses. Also, water and all fluid consumption should be restricted in certain conditions like loss of appetite, sluggish digestion, edema, the common cold, and recent fever.

The body gives you a clear signal of thirst. If that is ignored, the throat and mouth get parched, and you feel weak, dizzy, or disoriented. Further, it may even result in hearing loss or heart dysAround meal times function. Similarly, other natural urges Water affects our appetite. After drinkand signals of the body ing warm water it may be almost should not be suppressed an hour before we feel hungry. and ignored. These are hunCool water delays hunger even j;Iv;n;' t;p;*[;' Å6' HD;;id b;ui3p;>b;;eQ;n;m;< = ger; the urge to pass flatus, more. So don’t drink water (or t;nv;vy;÷rs;' m;&{!' x;It;' lGv;m;&t;;ep;m;m;< == urine or stool; coughing, nibble on any food) for at least an sneezing, burping, vomithour before a meal. Otherwise, it Ashtanga Hrudayam (Sutrasthana, 5:1) ing, or yawning; shedding will kill your appetite and delay Rain water is ojas enhancing, satiating, good for the tears; sleep; heavy breathing digestion of the meal. heart, pleasing, intellect enhancing, pure, of unmaniafter exercise; or the sexual Instead, sip a little warm water fested taste, taste giving, cool, light, and nectar-like. urge. Suppression of natural with your meal. This improves urges throws the doshas out digestion. How much to sip deof balance, particularly vata pends on the liquid content of the constitution or may be suffering from a dosha. meal. If you’re consuming a thin soup, dal, So, be mindful of thirst, and keep pitta ailment, in which case cool water or rasam you don’t need to supplement (at room temperature) is better for them. yourself hydrated throughout the day. it with water; but if your meal consists If the weather is hot, cool water helps mainly of dry items like bread, salad, vegto quench thirst better. It is also better etables, or chapatis, then sip about half In the morning a glass of water. According to Charaka Start your day by drinking one or for relieving dizziness or exhaustion after Samhita, at the end of the meal, one part two glasses of warm water. Don’t force physical exertion. of your stomach should be filled with solid it down to fulfill a quota for the day. Infood, one part with liquid, and a third left stead, pay attention to the signals from Water, no ice Ice-cold water, on the other hand, empty. your body and drink as much as feels right. Then during the day keep a ther- douses agni. That means that it slows mos or kettle of warm water handy, and down digestion and all other metabolic Tune in to yourself 90 | INDIA CURRENTS |West Coast Edition | April 2016

after a meal, it increases body weight. So to lose weight you may drink a moderate amount of warm water, herbal tea, or soup followed by a light meal. Exercise caution if your agni is already weak, which may be inferred from lack of appetite and slow digestion. In that case it is best to skip a meal or wait until you feel hungry. Drinking the optimum amount of water at the right time throughout the day helps to keep agni in balance and aids in digesting the food you eat. A balanced agni wards off illness, and is key to a long healthy life.n

If you pay attention to how you feel after a meal you will instinctively know how much water is best for you. If your food gets properly digested, you will feel light and energetic, and will be hungry in time for your next meal. If you get sour burps, or a burning sensation in your chest, throat, or mouth an hour or two after a meal, it may be because the food was pittaprovoking, or you drank too much water. Too little water also slows down digestion and causes constipation.

Water and body weight

Ashok Jethanandani, B.A.M.S. and Silvia M端ller, B.A.M.S. are graduates of Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar. Jethanandani now practices ayurveda in San Jose. Illustrations are original works by Silvia M端ller. The concepts presented here are based on the classical texts of ayurveda. www. classical-ayurveda.com.

INDIA CURRENTS GRAPHIC (408) 324-0488

When you drink water also affects body weight. According to Susruta Samhita, an ancient treatise of ayurveda, if you habitually drink water before a meal, it decreases body weight; sipped with a meal, it maintains the same body weight; if you drink water

April 2016 | West Coast Edition | www.indiacurrents.com | 91

92 | INDIA CURRENTS |West Coast Edition | April 2016

films

Wounded Warriors By Aniruddh Chawda

GHAYAL ONCE AGAIN. Director: Sunny Deol. Players: Sunny Deol, Zoya Khan, Om Puri, Shivam Patil, Aanchal Munjhal, Narendra Jha, Manoj Joshi, Diana Khan, Abhilash Kumar. Hindi with Eng. sub-tit. Theatrical release (Reliance)

ven among sequels, Deol’s Ghayal Once Again and Prakash Jha’s Jai Gangaajal stand out for continuing a narrative that started—in film speed — more than 10 years ago for each of them. The original Ghayal (1990) was Deol’s Rajkumar Santoshi-directed entry that wowed both critics and the box office as a valid action adventure with a purpose. It was Deol’s biggest hit until Gadar (2001). Even if over-the-top in its action delivery, Ghayal Once Again fits Deol’s onscreen persona like a glove and flexes just enough muscle to please the legions of die-hard Deol fans. Picking up 25 years after the original story ended, Ajay Mehra (Deol), having served a jail sentence for killing a mobster, now runs a small independent newspaper. Ajay’s exposés on connecting dotted lines between certain captains of industry and the underworld are perennially embroiled in controversy. The sudden death of his retired old pal Inspector Joe (Puri), draws attention to college-student Zoya (Diana Khan) who may have accidentally captured Joe’s murder on her smartphone. With a band of cunning students on the one hand and well-connected gangsters who unleash their full underworld army to retrieve the video on the other, Ajay may be the only savior that can help restore order. Pushing sixty, this heavily hair-dyed version of Deol has slowed down only a little—in large part due to camera angles that capture both facial anger and threatening (to the bad guys) poses at just the right juncture. He also nicely delegates a lot of the running around to the college group who threaten to make the

video viral. There are secret hideouts and shopping malls where tween-somethings know the retail maze like the back of their laptops. The hot cell phone could be just about anywhere! As the retired cop Joe, Puri is in fine form—but as is often the case, Puri is not utilized fully. His full acting chops are best seen in non-Indian movies. In most Indian movies, Puri is just another character actor. Zoya Khan as the psychiatrist that Ajay turns to for help with repressed rage from long ago and younger performer Patil and Diana Khan all remain true to their roles. Even Meenakshi Seshadhri, who played Ajay’s wife in the original Ghayal makes an appearance in a pivotal scene. For the most over-the-top touches—this is after all an action movie —there is Jha as the media tycoon Raj Bansal and Kumar as his son Kabir. This father-son duos’ megalomania pervasively corrupts everything they touch. Released under Deol’s own Vijayta Films banner, effectively giving Deol full control over most every aspect of the movie, Deol’s instinct for zeroing in on key demographics is apparent in how the narrative comes across. In a hyperconnected planet in tune with a younger demo, there is ample and frequent use of smartphones, videos that go viral and cell coverage geography that plausibly teeters on and off to fit the escape-in-a-cinch

pacing in the second half of a somewhat uneven delivery. The other go-to demo that has been Deol’s bread and butter since Deol’s hit debut in Betaab (1983) are the legions of Deol fans primarily in Deol’s native Punjab. The Deols—Sunny, his brother Bobby and their father, the veteran actor Dharmendra—are virtual box office demigods in Punjab. This key demo, one of the most welldefined in all of Indian cinema, helped turn Deol’s onscreen character’s call for patriotic and ethnic pride in Gadar into a blockbuster phenomenon. Thanks to this smart marketing, Ghayal Once Again has become a sizable box office hit. So much so that Deol is contemplating a third installment down the road. If smart demos and tuned-in scripts will be used with such ferocity again, we may just not mind. n EQ: B+

LATA’S FLICK PICKS

 Fitoor l  Ghaya rja  Nee 2 Badhkar Hum  Sab Se Re  Sanam

April 2016 | West Coast Edition | www.indiacurrents.com | 93

Acid for Blood JAI GANGAAJAL. Director: Prakash Jha. Players: Priyanka Chopra, Prakash Jha, Manav Kaul, Ninad Kamat, Rahul Bhat, Murli Sharma. Hindi with Eng. sub-tit. Theatrical release (Play Entertainment)

ha’s original Gangaajal (2003) was a loose, bloody re-telling of a real-life news story from the late 1970s. It waved a terrific corruption-themed red flag featuring a solid cast that included Ajay Devgan, Gracy Singh and Ayub Khan. More than a decade later, Jha returns with Jai Gangaajal, which wants to not only pose as an evocative titular progeny but also would be quite content tapping into even one-half of the critical or box office creds of the original. The powerful thrust behind “Gangaajal” in the movie title, however, dissipated even before the original movie was released. Jai Gangaajal, warts and all, mind you, and certainly not a bad offering, may have been a better movie had it been called something else. Borrowing major story line chapters from the original movie, the arrival of the new anti-corruption cop Abha Mathur (Chopra) in a rural north Indian constabulary is seen by the local criminal overlords as a mere nuisance that will surely last only until they can pull the right strings to get

Inspector Abha, a rookie, transferred out. Not so fast. For one, there is a huge election—rigged— coming up, which adds a serious wrinkle to the time-table for any string-pulling shenanigans the local goons can muster. For another, Inspector Abha—who raises eye brows not only for her tough stance but also because she is a woman calling the shots in a shallow pond filled with downwardly mobile men—may just prove to be a much tougher foe than any of the low life alpha males are expecting. Prakash Jha has a solid reputation for crime thrillers that sometimes follow realpolitik, socially charged news stories. Often set in his native Bihar state, Jha’s movies—from Damul (about indentured laborers), Mrityudand (misogyny), Aarakshan (affirmative action) to Satyagraha (corruption)—may register highly reactive in their treatment of those topics. Despite that trend, because some of Jha’s works become box office and critical hits, they have more or less become a fictionalized big screen chronicle of those larger conversations. The onscreen etymology of the title is sad. Gangaajal—literally “water from the Ganges” or Hindu holy water—is a sick dystopian allusion to a horrifying practice from the 1970s when some real life policemen in Bihar, which lies along

the Ganges, in hopes of discouraging convicted repeat offenders, would pour acid into the eyes of the about-to-be-released ex-cons to permanently blind them. A new term was thus added to criminal folklore. The most unusual aspect of Jai Gangaajal is Jha directing himself in the role of Inspector Abha’s wayward lieutenant B. N. Singh. The corruption in police ranks, for which Singh is often the only witness, follows a strict regimen of tit for tat and racketeering on a grand scale and Jha does a surprisingly credible job in that role. Kaul as Babloo Pandey, the local elected official and Kamat as Babloo’s brother, along with Sharma as cross-dressing mafia enforcer Munna Mardani lend hands in rounding out a cast that is often rife with stereotypes. The decidedly non-original script hurt. Jai Gangaajal is not as good at examining political graft as Priyadarshan’s Aakrosh (2010), Jha’s own original Gangaajal or anything from Shyam Benegal in the 1970s. The only fuel to tolerate a story that drags at times is Chopra. On the one hand, Chopra is just too beautiful—former Ms. World, super model and recent winner in the U.S. of the popular People’s Choice Award for Best Actress in New TV Series for her lead role in ABC’s hit show Quantico—to be found anywhere within a few hundred miles of a penthouse or a runway. Her Inspect Abha is determined to wipe out the rot she sees around her. She has no personal life to speak of and only a mother who is increasingly afraid for her daughter’s safety after Abha entangles with the local criminal hyenas. A strong woman in a forceful cop role—think Rani Mukherjee in Mardani (2014) or Tabu in Dhrishyam (2015)—is always welcome. Chopra, however, is not the problem here. Jai Gangaajal simply melts at first contact with script-writing acid. n EQ: B Globe trekker, aesthete, photographer, ski bum, film buff, and commentator, Aniruddh Chawda writes from Milwaukee.

94 | INDIA CURRENTS |West Coast Edition | April 2016

recipes

Recipes with Spirits! By Praba Iyer

y grandmother had an iron travelerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trunk. This trunk had all her life possessions and it was barely full. It contained her Bhagwad Gita, Narayaneeyam books, three white nine yard sarees, a khadi silk nine yard saree, a shawl, a silver plate, and bowl, a pack of crisp new rupee bills, a small pouch with coins and a newspaper wrapped bottle inside a small bag. When I asked her what was in the bottle, she said it was a strong kashayamâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;an Ayurvedic medicine. When I asked for a taste of the kashayam, I was told that it was too strong for kids.

Years down the road, my mom told me the secret of the kashayam bottle. She said that my uncle had given my grandmother a bottle of brandy saying it was medication for cough. According to her, my grandmother had no clue that it was alcohol, and no one bothered to tell her. But I really think my grandmother, being a smart, intelligent, cheeky old lady knew exactly what was in that bottle, took her innocence with her to the grave. So, in my home, alcohol was the big elephant in the room. No one talked about it, nor did anyone deny it. Out of respect

for my grandmother, there were many code words used for a drink. After all these years, I would rather cook with it than drink it. I do enjoy a good cocktail every now and then. Here are some of the recipes with spirits that I make quite often. n Praba Iyer is a chef instructor who teaches team-building through cooking classes and custom cooking classes in the bay area. She is a consulting chef at Kitchit (www.kitchit.com). You can reach her at praba@rocketbites.com.

April 2016 | West Coast Edition | www.indiacurrents.com | 95

Roasted, Battered and Flambed Wine Roasted Mushrooms

This dish is the best way to use leftover wine. It is delicious on a crostini or as a pie stuffing or in a Panini sandwich. You can substitute mushrooms with eggplant, bell peppers and zucchini. Ingredients 1 tbsp olive oil 2 cloves of garlic minced 2 shallots minced 2 cups of sliced mushrooms ½ tsp black pepper salt to taste 1/3 cup of red wine Garnish 1/3 cup fresh parsley Method Heat oil in a flat pan and add the garlic and shallots and sauté for 1 minute. Add the mushrooms, sauté for a few minutes and then add salt and pepper. Then add the red wine and increase the heat to high. Allow the alcohol to reduce gradually, and continue to sauté until all the liquid is evaporated. Remove from heat and add parsley.

Fried Cheese with Beer Batter

I stumbled on this dish many years ago. I had to take an appetizer to a party and realized that I had no baking soda. Since beer is carbonated I used it in place of the missing baking soda. The result was a crispy fried tasty delight. Later on, I learnt that beer battered onion fries and fish are very famous dishes in southern states.

egg and basil and then whisk in the beer to make a batter. Heat oil for frying to about 350 degrees. Dip each cheese ball and cube of cheese in the batter and make sure it is fully covered in batter. Then carefully drop it in the hot oil and fry it until golden brown. Remove and place it on a pan layered with paper napkins to remove the excess oil.

Jaljeera Shots

Jaljeera literally means cumin water, but jaljeera also has black salt, black pepper, mint, lemon juice and sugar along with the cumin and water. All the guests at my party kept asking for this drink. Ingredients ½ cup of lemonade 1 teaspoon heaped jaljeera powder 1 teaspoon of fresh roasted cumin powder 3-4 mint leaves minced 2 ounces of vodka Garnish a slice of lime Method The ratio is 1 part vodka to 2 parts jaljeera. And 1 part is equal to 1 ounce. Make a pitcher of jaljeera and make the shots as needed. Chill the shot glasses and wet the rim and dip it in a plate of cayenne pepper. Mix all these ingredients chill and serve in cayenne rimmed shot glasses with a slice of lime.

Gulab Jamun Flambe

Gulab Jamun Flambé

This is a show stopper. I make this for smaller get together and serve it at the table. Ingredients 1 ounce cognac Coconut ice cream Garnish with mint A few gulab jamuns in syrup Method Remove the jamuns and place it in the serving bowls. Heat the syrup in a small pan. Add the cognac and once it begins to flame up, carefully transfer it over the jamun in the bowl. Then add a small dollop of ice cream on top and add a mint leaf and serve. The combination of hot Jamuns with cold ice cream and a kick of cognac is a good dose of heaven in a bowl. n

Ingredients 1 cup of all purpose flour 1 teaspoon cayenne ½ teaspoon sugar Salt to taste 1/3 cup chopped basil 1 egg 1 can of beer or bottle (about 12 oz) 10 small goat cheese balls 10 small cubes of Monterey jack cheese Oil for deep frying Method Mix all the dry ingredients, Mix in the 96 | INDIA CURRENTS |West Coast Edition | April 2016

Wine Roasted Mushrooms

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On Inglish

A Wholesome Congee By Kalpana Mohan

congee, kanji noun. < broth or porridge made from rice < also prepared with different grains, for example: minor millet or pearl millet, finger millet, broken wheat, maize < From Tamil kañci

“D

I learned that millet uring my long stays My father-in-law detests kanji. My moth(ragi) kanji was traditionin Chennai, the er-in-law often tells him that at 84 he’s of ally prepared by drying ragi taste of kanji powsprouts in shade, and then ers my day. When I return home an age when people need to tie up their grinding it into a smooth from my morning walk at Jeeva gullets and focus, instead, on the imponpowder. Then it is cooked Park, six slices of salted guava or in boiling water. Milk and a seasonal fruit await me on the derables ... But he stands his ground, jaggery are added to this table at breakfast. A tiny twomaintaining that kanji was designed as for taste. My mother-in-law pronged fork pokes from a wedge also recounted tales about of the fruit like a crowbar in soil. food for the ill and for those hobbling tomoong kanji made from Steaming by the side is a bowl of wards the finish line of their lives. moong dal. She digressed— sweetened oats kanji spiked with the seasoning in her narracardamom. tion is always that minor detour—to mention that in the While I wolf down my breakfast, sweat dots the bridge of my present day, after harvest, urad and moong dal and some nose. It makes a puddle under my eyes. Vinayagam, my late faother dals are often soaked, dried and broken so they may ther’s man Friday, cackles as he watches me sweat due to the heat appear big and bloated. Grains were thus rendered flavorless of the oats. My glasses glide down even as they steam up. I love by the time they appeared in the stores for the consumer. my Tamil staple of kanji and my version of it, a cup of oats flown My mother-in-law told me how kanji was often the prein from Singapore, was manufactured by Quaker Oats Company ferred breakfast of the spiritual-minded. Moong kanji was headquartered in the United States. sustenance for devout and orthodox Brahmins during a reliThe word kanji entered the lexicon as “congee” during the years gious observance or prayer. “Dry roast blanched moong dal of colonial rule. According to writer Madhur Jaffrey, its origin is until you smell its nutty aroma,” she said. “Cook moong in a Tamil word for “boilings” and alludes to any water in which water until soft. Ideally, pressure cook it. And then add milk rice has been cooked. It also describes the starch used by Indian and jaggery.” She, along with most of her siblings, are at war washermen. with diabetes and therefore she always heaps praise on the My father-in-law detests kanji. My mother-in-law often tells goodness of jaggery. “It’s a rich source of iron. Plain sugar him that at 84 he’s of an age when people need to tie up their gulis bad for us all.” Often, my discussions with my motherlets and focus, instead, on the imponderables and on God. But he in-law, even those about ailments, suffering and death steep stands his ground, maintaining that kanji was designed as food for into recipes. She’s always googling the recipe databases in the ill and for those hobbling towards the finish line of their lives. her brain and sending over information to her listener in To me, however, kanji is soul food for the young and the old. I massive packets. love the taste of thickened sweetened oats topped with powdered Today I look at kanji as life-giving for another reason. almond and saffron. My mother-in-law bubbled over with stories In the year 1994, as we struggled to understand what was about many a kanji when I asked her to reminisce about her youth. wreaking havoc in our infant son’s body, we discovered In different parts of Tamil Nadu, kanji is made with varied grains: through a process of trial, error and heartache that one minor millet, pearl millet, finger millet, maize and rice. My husparticular food made his body thrum into life. Under its band’s maternal grandmother would bring wheat powder to a boil purview, my little boy did not break into hives. He cooed for and add milk and sugar and serve it to her children as the first meal more. He licked his lips. The rays of the sun poured into his of the day. Pearl millet, I discovered, is gluten free and bursting eyes. He grew to be a fine young man with with vitamins, minerals and amino acids. the goodness of warm millet kanji. n My mother-in-law also wove stories about kanji from her life, upon marriage, in the village of Esayanur. “Workers in paddy fields used to eat thick millet kanji before sauntering into the fields.” But times changed, she said, adding that a laborer’s diet also assumed Kalpana Mohan writes from California’s Silianother form over the decades. “Now, they eat idli and sambar, con Valley. To read more about her, go to http:// like the rest of us.” kalpanamohan.com.

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the last word

Why I Want to Hang Up My Pen By Sarita Sarvate

ike many technical professionals who have always made Washington journalists have long dubbed the kind of cama comfortable living, I have spent a lifetime fantasizing paigning Trump practices as “red meat,” but I wonder, was there about the artistic life. I have made pronouncements like, a part of these bleeding heart journalists that was also secretly, “If I had to do it all over again, I would go to Columbia Joursubconsciously falling prey to Trump’s coded racism early on? nalism School.” Or “I wish I had graduated in filmmaking.” Was that why they did not try to rein him in for a long time and For, you see, my nine to five profession has never been journaleven then only half-heartedly? ism, but rather, energy technology and policy. Journalism was I hadn’t watched any of the Republican debates until Trump something I simply stumbled upon. As a “third world” female won some primaries. It was then that I tuned in to the tenth immigrant who was trying to find her way in the world, I debate. It was appalling enough, but what struck me was the thought I had important things to say, and lo and hour-long CNN program that followed afterwards, in behold, a column I sent over the transom to the which Anderson Cooper and his cronies sat in a The truth of Oakland Tribune got published nearly twentycircle around Trump, groveling to him like he five years ago. were some Yoda. the matter is that Since then, my faith in the power of the There has been no fact checking during the Adolf Trump is not written word has never wavered. So much so Trump debates, no questioning of his baseless that three years ago, I took early retirement assertions, no challenging of his smooth-talking tapping into anger, one-liners from my job to write. like “I’ll make deals,” or “We will crehe is inciting it. But recently, I changed my mind and decidate jobs.” Not once have I seen a journalist ask ed to take on a part-time energy-consulting job. Adolf how he will create the jobs or to explain what Why? kind of a deal he would make. The answer, simply, is Adolf Trump. Or rather, Adolf No one has even dared to question how relevant the size Trump’s adulation by the American media. of his penis—about which he incredulously boasted during the I am so disgusted by the media’s non-stop focus on Trump eleventh debate—or his bank account is to his ability to hold the that I am now ashamed to call myself a member of that elite office of the presidency. group. Instead, the journalists have only chosen to talk of “the anger For, make no mistake. The Republican Party is not the only Donald is tapping into.” Why? Because they are lazy and this entity responsible for creating this fascist dictator, this Frankenline of argument gets them off the hook from doing any serious stein monster. The media is as much to blame. research or fact checking. From the beginning, the media treated Trump as an enterThe truth of the matter is that Adolf Trump is not tapping tainment vehicle designed to boost ratings. When he talked over into anger, he is inciting it. his opponents and called them foul names, instead of objecting If, years ago, the media had denounced Trump for using the to his on-air behavior, the debate moderators let him bully coded language of racism to ask for President Obama’s birth them. Why did they not warn him that he would be expelled if certificate, he would not be quoting Mussolini today and threathe crossed boundaries of civility? Why did they not disconnect ening to change libel laws in order to sue the press. He would his microphone? not be acting like Vladimir Putin or Kim Jong Un. Trump has gotten so used to getting a free pass from the The media has the responsibility not only to report events to press that a day after he was forced to cancel his rally after the the public but also to educate it. riots in Chicago, he complained that HIS first amendment So I wonder, will I make a better contribution to humanity rights were trampled on. by improving the world’s energy policy and thereby mitigating And what about the rights of the press? climate change? Well, from the beginning, he hasn’t acknowledged that the And I look back upon those surreal days when my columns press has any. Do you know that at every Trump campaign used to appear beside big names like Molly Ivins and Mike event, members of the media have been literally imprisoned in Royko; days when journalists were not hacks clapping at clowns a metal cage and forbidden to mingle with the crowds? That prancing in a three-ring circus but our society’s conscience. n members of outlets like the New York Times and NPR have accepted the humiliating treatment without even a whimper, let Sarita Sarvate (www.saritasarvate.com) has pubalone a legal complaint? Do you know that Jorge Ramos, the lished commentaries for New America Media, news anchor for Univision, was evicted out of a Trump news KQED FM, San Jose Mercury News, the Oakconference months ago? land Tribune, and many nationwide publications. 102 | INDIA CURRENTS |West Coast Edition | April 2016

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104 | INDIA CURRENTS |West Coast Edition | April 2016

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202 Camino Al Lago, Atherton

Stunning Estate in Prime Atherton

Located in the prized Circus Club area of Atherton, this spectacular gated estate was recently rebuilt from the ground up. No expense was spared or detail overlooked in the construction of one of the ďŹ nest homes available in Atherton in years. A long, gated drive leads to impeccable grounds that provide great privacy and security, as well as wonderful outdoor entertainment options. Upon entering the two-story foyer, you will instantly appreciate how this home conveys grand-scale elegance, while remaining remarkably warm and inviting. Please contact us to arrange a private tour.

For video tour & more photos, please visit:

www.202CaminoAlLago.com Offered at $18,888,000

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