‘Love Again’: Priyanka, Celine Shine in Rom-Com
By Shalini Langer With Celine Dion playing Cupid, counsellor, serenader-in-chief and producer in this film, does love have an option but to burst forth in song and opera, and tick off everything from cheeseburgers to cheesy lines? But if this rom-and-only-some-com has anything going in the department of rom-coms, it is that it is clearly […]
Asia Society Hosts ‘Incredible India’ Cultural Performances, Fashion Show
HOUSTON: Celebrating three generations of fashion, dance, and food, the Incredible India presentation was a collaboration between Asia Society Texas and the Indian Consulate in Houston. The presentation was emceed by KHOU TV anchor Rekha Muddaraj. The leadership team behind the 75th anniversary of India’s independence (Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav) included Annu Rao Naik and […]
Houston’s Indian-American Debuts His First Sci-fi Film “Mandala: The UFO Incident” on May 19
HOUSTON: Ajay Sarpeshkar’s directorial debut, Mandala: The UFO Incident, marks an exciting new chapter in his artistic journey. With a graduate degree in engineering and over a decade experience in technology, Ajay’s creative itch led him to explore photography and filmmaking as a hobby, which eventually paved the way for his first feature-length film. Over […]
When its Vaisakhi, its Dance, Fashion, Dhol & Bhangra!
By Jawahar Malhotra HOUSTON: It’s been four years since the last time Jasmeeta Singh took on such a huge event when she held the last Vaisakhi Mela all on her own (see https://www.indoamerican- news.com/gajda-wajda-punjab-vaisakhi-2019-unites-bhangra-and-fashion/) at the White Oaks Music Center in the near East side. In between, she has taken on a few events for […]
IAA Presents Classical Singer Kaushiki Chakraborty
HOUSTON: The Indo-American Association, Houston (IAA) is delighted to present Kaushiki Chakraborty, internationally recognized singer, and composer of Hindustani music at the Wortham Center, Houston on May 13, 2023 at 7:30pm. Kaushiki Chakraborty, widely regarded as one of the finest classical vocalists of the modern era, has been hailed as the” torchbearer of the Patiala […]
Laya Taal Saadhana is Back with a Thunderous Tabla Performance by Students of Pt. Shantilal Shah
By Sam Sabapathy HOUSTON: Indian Music Society of Houston (IMS), hosted its much-awaited 11th Laya Taal Saadhana (LTS), on April 9th, 2023 at Stafford Civic Center, Houston, Texas, USA. It was a special Tabla performance by the students of Pt. Shantilal Shah, renowned Tabla maestro in Houston. Emcee Paromita Nag, beautifully narrated the program and […]
‘Kisi Ka Bhai, Kisi Ki Jaan’: Tired Formula
By Shubhra Gupta The fact that there’s no other name in the credit line of Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan is not accidental. Every one else in the cast is incidental to the non-existent plot, which exists only to serve the legend of Salman Khan, in and as Bhai and Jaan, aka Bhaijaan. So what […]
‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’: A tired, unimaginative amalgamation of every Salman Khan movie
By Shubhra Gupta The fact that there’s no other name in the credit line of Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan is not accidental. Every one else in the cast is incidental to the non-existent plot, which exists only to serve the legend of Salman Khan, in and as Bhai and Jaan, aka Bhaijaan. So […]
Indie Meme Film Festival Brings South Asian Discussions to Austin
AUSTIN: Indie Meme, a non-profit organization, brings its 8th Film Festival (IMFF2023) during April 12 – 16 to Austin. This year’s festival will be held at the AFS Cinema, which presents itself as a marvelous backdrop for independent cinema, dialogue, debate, and discussion. The festival provides a platform for talented filmmakers from South Asia and […]
Eternal Gandhi Museum of Houston to Open in Summer 2023
HOUSTON: Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston (EGMH), the first-ever museum in the Americas dedicated to preserving and promoting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy of nonviolent conflict resolution, is opening in the summer of 2023. EGMH engaged Solid Light, Inc. from Louisville, Kentucky, to create a world-class museum in September 2019 after interviewing more than a dozen candidates. Solid […]
‘Gaslight’: Little Impact from Sara Ali Khan
By Shubhra Gupta A young woman who returns after a long gap to a Rajasthan ‘haveli’ where she spent her childhood, is beset by dark dreams. Her father isn’t there to welcome her. Days go by and there’s no sign of him. Ghostly figures flit behind curtains, a gaslight lantern left winking on the floor […]
‘Bheed’: Grim Reminder of Recent Tragedy
By Shubhra Gupta One of the most shattering sights of the Covid-19 pandemic was the flood of people suddenly rendered rudderless by the announcement of one of the most stringent lockdowns in the world — chief amongst those were daily wagers, and blue collar workers who would starve if they couldn’t go out to their […]
5th Annual Puranava Indian Art & Culture Fest on April 15 in Pearland
PEARLAND, TX – The 5th annual Puranava Indian Art & Culture Fest is planned to be held on Saturday April 15 at Pearland Town Center Pavilion, from 4 pm through 8 pm. Admission to the event is free. Competitions in Chess, Art, Quiz, Indian Classical Dance & Music will begin earlier in the day, from 12:30 pm […]
‘Mrs. Chaterjee vs. Norway’: Less Could’ve Been More
By Alaka Sahani This high-voltage drama, powered by Rani Mukerji as the film’s titular protagonist Debika Chatterjee, is about a mother’s undying love for her children. Inspired by the real-life case of Sagarika Chakraborty being separated from her two children by the Norwegian Child Welfare Service in 2011, the film closely follows Debika’s fight against the […]
“Waking Up Free: India’s Journey” at Miller Outdoor Theater
HOUSTON: ‘Waking Up Free: India’s Journey‘ premieres at the Miller Outdoor Theater on March 31, 2023, at 8 pm, as part of Miller’s 100th season and in the 75th year of India’s Independence. A brand new recipient of National Endowment for the Arts funding, Silambam Houston is proud to present this 90-minute thematic presentation in Bharatanatyam that tells the stories of India’s freedom struggle, and celebrates […]
International Hindi Association Hosts “Holi ke Hindi Bol” Poetry Recital
On the afternoon of Sunday March 12th, the JVB Preksha (JVB) Meditation Center was alive with the sound of laughter and poetic musings as the International Hindi Association (IHA) Houston Chapter hosted their event “Holi Ke Hindi Bol”. The program was designed to bring together Hindi-speaking individuals and celebrate the cultural and linguistic heritage of […]
‘Tu Jhooti Mein Makkar’: So Boring Despite Stars
By Shubhra Gupta Luv Ranjan’s latest ‘Tu Jhooti Main Makkaar’ is basically every Luv Ranjan film till now: the guys, they’re the best, the gals, well, they gotta learn their lesson. That, and the one thing no Luv Ranjan movie can do without: the monologue. The plot, basically an excuse to hang this one-line philosophy […]
Unique Violin-Viola Duet Vibrant Varnam to Tantalizing Tri-llana
By Abhishek Balakrishnan and Sudha Mani The Classical Arts Society of Houston opened their 2023 season with a grand concert. The Houston music lovers were gifted with a treat, nay, a double treat of sorts: A Violin and Viola Duet by Sri Vittal Ramamurthy on the violin and Sri VVS Murari on the Viola. They […]
Indo-American Association Presents Berklee Indian Ensemble: The Shuruaat
HOUSTON: The Berklee Indian Ensemble is bringing its genre-bending sound to Houston for the first time ever! Fresh off the release of their GRAMMY nominated debut album, Shuruaat, the Ensemble is on the road with a slate of originals, new arrangements, songs from the album, and, of course, audience favorite classics. Join some of the […]
