Comments on: Berkeley Bollywood dance group, Ishaara, shines on America’s Got Talent

By: Vidya

Vidya — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 04:21:18 +0000

You people do know, Ishaara’s motto is, “where Bollywood meets Hollywood” They’re not a pure Bollywood team albeit they do fusion Hindi film dancing. They’re showing the world what bollywood is like, but adding the Hollywood flare to make it more appealing.

By: Diane

Diane — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:01:40 +0000

Sonia – I totally agree with you! On the other hand for those that don’t really know Bollywood, but saw Slumdog and know that music, this presentation may be an entry point that gets them more interested in exploring BW more widely. And for that I welcome it. Maybe some who see this version of Jai Ho will then want to see some real BW. You have to start somewhere. I know a lot of people who started watching Bollywood films because of “Bride and Prejudice” (which I didn’t like and didn’t think was authentic).

By: Sonia Sharma

Sonia Sharma — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 03:32:31 +0000

trully speaking. Congrats, but this isn’t bollywood. you can’t put the pussycat dolls version of jai ho, and say thats bollywood. nope. being a bollywood dancer and choreographer, this is wrong. if you going to represent bollywood, please do it the right way. once again, congrats.

By: Thomas Lord

Thomas Lord — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:45:07 +0000

@Mark Haas
How dare you save us from ourselves.

-t

By: Mark Haas

Mark Haas — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:12:24 +0000

Um, can we move beyond this discussion before it turns into something suitable for another episode of Seinfeld? Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

By: Diane

Diane — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:39:26 +0000

This is wonderful that they are getting so much national attention. I LOVE Bollywood music, and dance it (badly) in my own home all the time to my own cds. I’m glad to see it being appreciated more widely.

By: Thomas Lord

Thomas Lord — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:20:18 +0000

@Go Bears
I know nobody meant it “that way” and each would be mortified if seriously taken as saying what I described. I found the whole exchange accidentally funny, hence the

By: Go Bears

Go Bears — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:40:32 +0000

@Thomas Lord I really don't care that she's "white" looking, or that the lead is 1/2 white/light skinned. My comment was in reference to the poster above mine bothered by the fact that the female lead was the white member of the group. I was merely stating that in fact, she's 1/2 Indian. I find it amusing when people overreact.

By: Rahul Patel

Rahul Patel — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 01:49:58 +0000

They were with us on a Five day Carnival Cruise to Bahamas On July 16th….man they were fantastic….hats off to them and good luck in Vegas…..

By: Thomas Lord

Thomas Lord — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:34:13 +0000

@Go Bears
So, putting all this together what have we learned? It’s politically incorrect to have a white-skin female lead dancer with a company of brown skinned dancers, especially if her sexuality is referred to in the dance. And it’s OK, in this case, because even though she looks white she is really a half-breed. As always, Berkeley stands on the leading edge of progressive thinking.

(I agree they are very good. I got annoyed watching the clip by the video edits – the cuts to off stage, audience, and panel. It would have been nice to see more of the actual dance.)

-t