World Yatra by KG-2A

Nisha's class put up a great show. Here are some clips

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Why I hated the Slumdog Oscar tamasha

I am happy for Rahman and Boyle and the other cast of Slumdog Millionaire for the glory they got at the Oscars. They understood the way the Oscar game is played and did a perfect job there. But the general euphoria about it over the past couple of days has left me angry. Very angry. Why? Here are a few reasons

- Firstly, the film. I haven’t seen the movie but have spoken to people who have and also read reviews. A common feeling is that it portrays Indian society in an extremely derogatory way. Why would I go and support a film jo mere pe thoonkta hai?

- Secondly, the media would like us to believe that this is the arrival of Indian cinema on the world stage and there is no stopping us now. That is Grade A bullshit. The fact is that the movie was a Hollywood production and that’s what got it the awards. I am willing to bet that if it was made by an Indian crew, it would not even have been nominated.

- Thirdly, why do we as a people have such low self-esteem that we need to be praised by the West to have really arrived? I’d really like to see a day where we see the Oscars for what it is, an American award that is given by an American industry association, not some great honour that has been bestowed on us.

 I'm definitely very happy for Rahman, he is one of the masters of our generation and deserves to be recognized. It's just sad that he had to get the award for a work which is nowhere near his best.