ngitanjali

I had much the same experience, vagansmom, and I don't intend to try again, there are too many good books for grownups out there. I'm sure they're fine books, great for the kids, and I think that the Potter phenomenon is by and large a Good Thing, but I do not entirely understand the series' vogue with adults. Thanks for keeping us posted. I was 14 when I got the first four (it was a bribe so that I'd stop whining about moving to Pennsylvania), and i liked them then. Then, the 5th came out, which was OK, and as I got a little older (the books did take forever to come out), I realized that they weren't that spectacular. I honestly only bought the 6th and 7th because I had books 1-5... Plus, I didn't have to pay for them, the books were nicely released around my birthday. As far as wonderful reading? HP is great for the kids, especially in adolescence, since the topics get more and more "grownup" as the books advance, but I wouldn't put it on my "Must Read List". Lord of the Rings is much much better.

Thank you very much! I found a new favorite website Unfortunately, with the exchange rate of the dollar being so miserable lately, I think that I'd better shelve plans to buy any and all books. ngitanjali

Hi all! I was reading with interest at the different pedagogues at Vaganova and Bolshoi on this thread (so fascinating!), and I was wondering, in the time Vaganova was teaching in Russia, who was busy teaching at the Paris Opera Ballet school? After having read up on Bejart and Petit (with the recent news of Bejarts death ), I was just wondering who they were taught by. I looked for books, but I couldn't find any available on campus or at the bookstore...and Google wasn't cooperating. If you know anything, I'd greatly appreciate the chance to learn more! Thanks so much!

Well, my French professor gave us a choice. Either we would watch 2 movies and write two 1 paragraph responses to them, or we would give 10 minute oral presentations on a topic of our choice. Now, while I had picked Roland Petit, I was not relishing the thought of coherently explaining his role in modern ballet in a foreign language. English? Sure! French? *runs*. Therefore, I voted with teh class to watch our two movies 1) Les Glaneurs et la glaneuse 2) Etre et Avoir Any thoughts for either of them? I've already gotten responses on Etre et Avoir, but has anyone seen the other one? It seems interesting, I'm just nervous about watching it without ANY subtitles. Thanks so much!

I saw the clips too, multiple times. I loved Osipova's Kitri, she's phenomenal. And, I was pleasantly surprised by her Giselle, it was a good debut. I was afraid that I'd be seeing wide smiles and bounciness everywhere, but what I saw was a respect for the role and it's history and it's place in ballet. That being said, I'd like to see more versions on youtube or some other sites (or DVDs). I don't think she'll ever BE Giselle, the way Alina C (not the other one, who shouldn't be allowed near the role) Uliana, Irma, Altynai, or the modern dancers. Still, she has done a wonderful job and I am happy with what I saw!

Since I have been raised here, in the US, my parents were able to show us their favorite Bollywood films, which, for my father, were popular in the late 60s and 70s, and for my mother, were popular in the 70s and 80s. Therefore, I grew up on the names "Hema Malini" "Rekha" (Umrao Jaan is a must see), and the movie "Mughal-e-Azam". I don't even watch the modern Bollywood films because the acting has disintegrated in favor of the big name stars. In fact, now, Bollywood is just remaking all the old films, which is a mistake, since a lot of us who remember the old versions aren't leaving them My favorite old movies? Devdas (1955). My grandmother watched it when my father was a baby. He said that it began his lifelong obsession with Suchrita Sen. Watch this, then watch the new version. You'll be appalled at the lack of artistry, as compared to the old version, which is poetry on screen. The only thing which redeems the new version is Madhuri Dixit, one of last actresses of the "talent generation", as my mother calls it. Mughal-e-Azam (196?). Watch the BW version if you can, it was colorized, which is a travesty. Once again (like in Devdas), Dilip Kumar plays the leading role, and Madhubala does a stunning job as the tragic heroine. The story is pretty much the same as Aida, however, this one is real. The love between Prince Jehinger and Anarkali did happen, but she was murdered or sent away, depending on different sources. Another movie, Anarkali, was made earlier, but it wasn't as successful. Sholay: (1975). My mother's favorite actor: Amithbah Bachchan. He actually is a decent actor, and Jaya Badhuri did a great job as the silent widow. She does have more talent then he does, IMHO. Hema Malini stole the show as she danced on glass to save her love (common theme in India) and the plot twist at the end was heartbreaking. A little overacted, but still great, nonetheless. Fun fact, when my mother was growing up, her house was next door to Amitbah's father's house. She even had small conversations with "Bachchanji" on the way to school! Paakeezah: Just listen to the song "Chalo Dildar Chalo". The lead singer's, and Meena Kumari's acting (she died during or shortly after hte production of this film) make this movie the reason for watching Bollywood. I was in tears when I first saw the movie. Thought you'd like to see some more!

Wow! Such nice recommendations! With winter break coming up for me, I'll certainly have lots to watch Now, more on Volver. I don't speak a word of Spanish (yet, I'm taking a Spanish language intensive over the summer here at university), so I watched it on TV, subtitled. I really really liked it. Penelope Cruz did a great job, however, (not due to any fault of her own), she was completely overshadowed by the other actresses (most of whom I hadn't even heard of). Each person really got into their character, and it was just a wonderfully directed, scripted (or subtitled), acted movie. The plotline was extremely shocking, especially the twist at the end, but it just made all the idiosyncrasies of each character come to life and be better explained. Do watch, I think it's wonderful. In French class, we're going to watch "Etre et Avoir". Any thoughts?

Because I spend all my weekends at home with my parents (unfortunately, my particular college is one of the top Party Schools in the nation ), I usually end up watching older Bollywood films. I thought at first that I'd despise them, however, I fell in love with these movies. Even the song and dance numbers I can deal with. Paakeezah is one of my favorites, if only for the songs and Meena Kumari, who died around when the film was made. Her life was probably more tragic than her character's. If you can watch the old version of Devdas (1955), you'll like it, I guarantee, a lot more than the new spectacle that was created recently. I'm about to see Volver in a few hours. I'll post my thoughts!

Good luck, Alexandra. There are plenty of wacky grant-giving agencies out there. And, heaven knows, there are still lots of gulag-like conditions plaguing our world. A research project that seeks to verify the hypothesis "Suffering is Good for Artists" will probably find donors in the eerier corners of every society. If you don't act quickly, I can think of several Think Tanks that would be willing to jump on that particular bandwagon. Actually, the topic has interesting implications. I don't doubt that adversity -- whether caused by the state, one's family, one's own inner contradictions -- seems to stimulate artistic creation... But does this meat the "necesary"and sufficient condition" test when we seek causes for the explosiion of high levels of literary creativity that occurred in the last decades of the Soviet Union? I raise this merely as a question, not knowing the answer. If the answer is "yes," it does indeed raise huge ethical questions about how far one needs to go to encourage art. I completely agree with you. I do count gymnastic as one of the most artistic sports out there, and I'd like to use it as an example, so purists, don't hate ...but Romania was under Niku Ceascesu when Comaneci amazed the world, and the horrors that she went through AFTER she won in Montreal, and the horrors that she went through if she DIDN'T win or do well. Art which is stimulated by fear is not art, it is cruelty, in my opinion. Plus, things were peachy in France and in England at the same time that the USSR was producing amazing dancing, and ballet of the same, wonderful quality was being produced there as well...so I think that one can flourish just as well in a free society. I think that those are less profiled because they are boring to the press. Imagine "Artists find it easy to produce their craft" vs. "Torture behind art--the real story behind the XXXXX ballet company" Now? Which sounds better to a drama hungry press?

Roger Federer--seriously, the guy makes tennis an art form...I believe my beloved former dance teacher said that he was the one athlete that made his sport as artistic as ballet. Just to lighten the mood ;)

Helene PMed me about recommending some Bollywood movies that I admire, as an Indian and would recommend to fellow foreigners (as an American born girl who doesn't understand a word of Hindi). That got me to thinking, I'm studying French right now, and I'm beginning Italian and will be starting Chinese over the summer (I love languages!). I never know which French movies are critically acclaimed in France, and likewise with other foreign movies in their home countries, since I only see a small selection when I watch the Oscars. So, I figured, why not have everyone recommend a few foreign films that they admire--in all languages and about all cultures. Even if it's a film made in America or England, it's probably considered "foreign" to others, so this way, we'll have an exciting set of movies that have been recommended by people we trust Good, bad, mediocre, how the public liked it, what the critics said, any actors/directors you recommend? It'd be nice to have a centralized list, that way, when we select movies, we aren't spending forever trying to figure out it it's worth the money to go see/rent/buy. I'll start!! Bollywood: Parineeta: All about two families who's business intrigues separate two lovers. I won't spoil it, but I'll just explain why I liked it so much. First of all, I cannot stomach the established Bollywood actresses these days, as most of them flounce around with very little acting skills. Therefore, the decision to include Vidya Balan, a virtual unknown, was a risk, but she was marvelous. Subtlety in acting. I understand that her other movies are very good too, which I haven't seen, but if someone has seen "Guru" or "Eklavya", do tell me how she did. Saif Ali Khan is a very good actor, as well, but he's completely overshadowed by Ms. Balan, and he knows it. He lets her take center stage, knowing that the movie and its story will make them all stars. Finally, the producer: Vidhu Vinod Chopra is one of the best producers and directors in India these days. This movie was all about subtlety, which was a refreshing break from the horror of Devdas. Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna : I have very mixed feelings about this movie. On the one hand, it's not as much of a horror as Devdas (the new version), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kal Ho Naa Ho, or Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. On the other hand, it's still pretty bad. The subject matter is interesting, if a little redundant. Shah Rukh Khan is FINALLY playing a 40 year old man, instead of playing an 18 year old, and when the actors aren't trying to be funny or "Western", they're doing a good job with the material. Watch it, but watch something of substance afterwards..... Water: I know this isn't Bollywood, but Deepa Mehta does an amazing job. Considering what this movie went through to get it in production, I'm impressed that she tackled such an important topic in India, and she did it with sensitivity. John Abraham is one of India's treasures, (and he's just lovely to watch, both in acting....and in general ). If you can stomach the subject of what Indian culture used to (and still does) to widows in India, do watch, it's lovely. Those are the ones for now, I'll add a few more once the topic grows!!

Those were thoughtful analyses Mel, and papeetepatrick! Thanks for that, I had completely forgotten about what "India and the Orient" meant back then. But, of all the Bayadere productions, I have to say, Nureyev's was my favorite, if only for the costumes made of real saris. However, my mother watched it (keep in mind, she has her saris from her wedding, 20 years ago) and muttered about the destruction to beautiful clothing as she made plans to buy duplicates in India. I like your idea of HOW the production could be done, but the authentic Indian performances could be introduced into the wedding scene, the Golden Idol music does seem to lend itself to Bharatnatyam or Kuchipudi, if done loosely. As for casting, we could have an Indian Solor (Amar Ramasar!). The story does take place in North India, where the skin tones are very light (especially in Kashmir), so the casting wouldn't need to be Indian (::shudders:: Aishwarya Rai would be hideous as a tragic heroine). I don't have much opinion on Gamzatti, as long as she's good, but Lopatkina MUST be Nikiya (too bad Asylmuratova retired, she'd have been my first choice). My other requirement would be that the dancers, whether they are blond or red haired or green haired, must ALL have dark hair, just to be authentic, since we are telling an Indian story As for a director or producer: Gurinder Chadra or Deepa Mehta, one is over the top, and the other is subtle, and neither is Bollywood, which would allow for ease of production AWAY from India. It would be so pretty done in Agra or Jaipur though, amongst the rivers and ruins. I am getting way ahead of myself! Now, if only I could find the money to do this.

LOL! Even so, they might insist upon doing it. My Bollywood experience is limited to one film 'Lagaan', and this supposed to be one of the best ones. It's according to how much singing about Radha and Krishna you are willing to have interspersed. I don't see how it sounds desirable to have these big cinematized, opened-up-for-the-masses ballets. They rarely get it right even when filming Broadway musicals. And the general population is not thinking about ballet in quite the same way as they are many much easier things--there's no budget for ballet-movies in Hollywood, that's just over, I think. Maybe Chinese or Indians will try something, but it will get that theme-parkish look, and there's enough trouble with such things in ABT stagings of Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty already. I can see why you, scherzo, might dream of this, but I can't imagine it happening (even with poor products.) ::grimace:: As an Indian who doesn't speak Hindi, my experience with Bollywood is a little more in depth than an average European or America, but far less in depth than my other Indian friends (and parents). However opulent Bollywood is known to be, the correct director and the correct approach could make something like Bayadere tasteful and respectful to the ballet. The Bollywood "nightmare" (as I term the opulence) is only with those famous stars that command the box office. However, if you enjoy foreign films, and are up for song and dance numbers in a film, there are some amazingly done Bollywood films that are just gorgeous. If anyone is interested, just PM (message? is that the term??) me and I'd be happy to give you titles. These are movies that appeal to me, and I'm pretty much a foreigner when it comes to Indian culture anyway, so I'm sure you'd like them! About Bollywood+Bayadere. I've shown clips to my parents (who are much more relaxed about Indian portrayals in the media than many Indians), and both of them noted that what would trip up the Indian audiences is the interpretation. The only insulting part that I can vaguely see is the Bronze Idol dance, which is a reflection of our Hindu God Shiva--a God whose Dance represents the stages of life and death to us. Also, priests in India, no matter their human flaws, are covered with a diamond curtain, where one cannot even ASSUME that they have flaws. (Oh, and temple dancers have...never really existed, or if they have, I've been going to the boring temples). I think that Indian audiences just wouldn't...get it. They'd appreciate the dancing and the art, but they wouldn't really appreciate the story as much, since it's an European's take on India. That being said, if one views it as "Oh! European take on India"...I find it funny to watch, and it's hilariously telling how other cultures viewed us 100 years ago, and it shows me how one needs to think before viewing other cultures through perspective. However, the uneducated person in India goes to a movie to escape from the reality of his/her life of poverty there, so that depth wouldn't really be appreciated the way we, a dance audience, would appreciate it. Still, any other ballet would be a very popular choice if Bollywood took it up, like Don Q, with it's opulence. Or, Corsaire, would be even more fun!!! Swan Lake and any tragedy would be good too..and Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella could go all out for production. I think it would be fun, but you'd also be hard pressed to find many Indians who do ballet at the level to be released to a movie. Indian classical dance takes pride of place, and rightly so I just wanted to put my perspective in there, as an Indian-American. So sorry that I've digressed, and I'd love to know if I was helpful or just really confusing

I froze as I did my daily scan of nytimes.com. The article was filed at about 7:30 AM EST, so I guess that's when the news broke to the English press. I'm also doing a presentation on Bejart for my French culture class, so this news hit me especially hard He did have a long and rich life, and gave us many beautiful and interesting works to discuss and admire. ngitanjali

I'm reading the English translation (I have been learning French for 5 years, but I doubt I can even read a sentence of French literature without holding a dictionary open in hte other hand!), it's the Barnes and Noble edition, translated by C.K. Scott Moncrieff. I'm not sure I like the translation too much. It seems as though Moncrieff wanted to REALLY preserve the lyricism apparent in Proust's French, but ended up taking things too far until I feel as though I've been reading through a whirlwind. Gabriel Garcia Marquez seems to do that too quite a bit, but for his subject matter, it's acceptable (plus, he's the original author, not the translator).

I'm on Holiday for Thanksgiving (for which I am giving thanks ) and my goal is to read the dozens of books which are sitting in my room and basement. I have finished an omnibus of the Jeeves and wooster series (good, CLEAN humor, who know that existed these days ::grumbles about state of humor/entertainment today:, and I'm in the middle of "Swann's way" which I'll finish tonight!!! Once I finish more, I'll post reviews up for everyone! Happy Holidays (it's snowing in Pennsylvania, which makes me unhappy, since I'm not allowed to drive in snow to go to the bookstore and get books, although, that may be because my mother doesn't want me to buy new books) we have also run out of space for my books, I am now persuading my mother that the food in our pantry is not necessary when one could house "food for thought". Currently, unsuccessful

Oooooooh, yes... :blush: , and then wait 'till you are actually IN ...you'll look back wishing to have that extra time to read that you had pre-med school... Good luck!! Indeed! I did realize that my credit card and all forms of money need to be taken away from me when I enter the adorable used bookstore and cafe, which even has a sizeable "Ballet" section. I'm trying so hard to discipline myself, but when Nijinsky's face is just beckoning me to buy the book...well, discipline is impossible. Plus, I'm a girl that would rather not eat if it meant getting more books. Plisetskaya said it, didn't she, about spending her money on the ballet or food, and choosing ballet. Something along the lines of "food for nourishment or food for the soul". She's right.

Knowing what we all feel about Somova (I thought I was the only one that didn't like her, based on what people around me were saying. I'm so glad that others here do have good taste!!!!), I have a question. I'm not familiar, at all, with the Mariinsky ballet save what I have seen of Asylmuratova, Lopatkina, etc...but, let's go back to a time when Asylmuratova, Makhalina, or Lezhina were the main ballerinas (!!!!), would Somova have even been allowed into the corps de ballet, or would she have fit in? (I still have issues with teh acrylic nails. I didn't even wear those for my high school prom, since I thought they'd be tasteless with my dress, and Prom is the most glorified, over the top bonanza in the US. I'm not sure where fake nails fit into Bayadere, or the Corsaire, but I don't know...perhaps Ancient India had yet to be discovered secrets...)

I was looking through ABT's repertory archive, and I had a change of heart. I used to agree that the gigantic full lengths are what's perfect for the Met, but now...after seeing ABT's AMAZING repertory, including ballets that I hadn't even heard of, perhaps a couple more mixed bills here and there wouldn't hurt. Honestly, Sleeping Beauty, for all it's budget, is rather subpar, compared to the Mariinsky, Royal Ballet, POB, etc..., perhaps put the money from that into things like "Drink to me only with thine eyes", "workwithinwork" and construct a mixed bill from that? The money spent on a series of mixed bills (I'm talking about maybe 5 or 6 total for the season, with 1 each week, so that only 3 or 4 are shown a night) would probably be a lot less than a production of Sleeping Beauty (for example), so ABT wouldn't be losing money.... Unless, I have no knowledge of economic matters (which I really don't, save a 45 page term paper on Post Communist Ukraine). Am I being an idealistic College student? I would love love love to see some of those works like "Donizetti's Variations" be brought to the forefront.

Thank you! I have a new list of books to buy! Honestly, my credit card should be confiscated before I go to bookstores, I keep going into this charming used bookstore/cafe near my dorm room and walking out with a new book. I have a long list of books that I bought, but I have ZERO time to read right now

I'm very surprised too about the student training, considering how tasteful Altynai Asylmuratova always was...and she is the head of the Vaganova Academy! However, I am completely ignorant on these matters, was Somova always so..."Rose Adaigo" like? Or did she possess a modicum of taste when she graduated? BTW: Somova's coach, Tchenchikova, correct? She was rather...lovely in her extensions, here is another surprise. I'm not at all excited about seeing Somova in anything other than Forsythe. We used to complain about Zakharova's extensions, but...this is too much, no?

Welcome to the forum, PeggyR. A four hour commute! You'll definitely have time for Tolstoy.... Best of luck to you, ngitanjali. Even today, pregnancy and childbirth or more hazardous than people realize, but it is amazing how far we've come. Is this fiction or non-fiction? I previously thought it was fiction, but apparently, it is indeed nonfiction, about Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis! Unfortunately, as my mother reminded me last night, to get to medical school, one has to do very well in science courses that one is enrolled in No reading until Thanksgiving break! I do encourage anyone to pick it up, since it's just fascinating, and so...insightful and important for everyone to know about the patient and doctor sides of medicine ngitanjali PS: Thank you for all your good wishes!

Currently, I'm reading "The Cry and the Covenant". It's about how a doctor decided to change the awful unhygenic practices back in the 1800s, when women were dying left and right from childbirth. I find it an inspiration, since hopefully, I'll be in medical school in 4 years time! It's always nice to read about my future profession HELPING people everywhere!

I cannot believe that the Mariinsky is promoting Somova the same way they promote Lopatkina, Dasha, Diana, etc....I mean, what's next? Extensions can't get any farther past whatever she's doing. I thought Zakharova was extreme, but these new dancers are just ridiculous. I think I winced most when I saw her Medora with the acrylic nails. The rest of the variation was just...hideous. I watched Altynai's Corsaire right after seeing Somova, just to remind myself that artistry is possible, without the extensions. Of course, I'm sure that Somova is a lovely young woman, but as an artist representing the years and years of tradition at one of the most prestigious theaters in the world, she's severely lacking. I was just wondering, how do the "elder" ballerinas (and danseurs) feel about this sudden promotion of Somova etc? I mean, she's getting roles at expense to much more experienced dancers. Have they said anything (or done anything)? Or, is it just accepted as the norm there?

The King and I was the first musical I watched with my mother, when I was five years old. Then, (my mother was a huge Deborah Kerr fan, as was my paternal grandmother), I was introduced to her "wholesome" British acting. What amazed me about her was her...serenity. Even in "From Here to Eternity", I always felt that she was serene and inwardly calm, even in the midst of that famous kiss ::sigh::. I think very few actresses had that quality: Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, maybe even, a teeny bit, Kate Hepburn. I cried when I heard the news, but she had a long and wonderful life.