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2009

I've been reflecting back on 2009 and luvin it ...beautiful ballparks (Pirates @ PNC Park, Jays @ New Yankee Stadium, Christie Pitts), family weddings, Sri Venkateswara Mandir - Pittsburgh, friends weddings & engagements, road trips, Cochin, Zakir Hussain, Bela Fleck & Edgar Meyer Live at the awesome brand new Royal Conservatory Toronto, painful strolls through museums, Bartending in Bombay, surprise birthdays, Phil's Bachelor Party Weekend in Montreal, tennis ‘til dark, Labor Day Classic @ Ivor Wayne, Kerala Backwaters, great birthday gifts, Welcome Chimpsky, pind with grandparents, Harmandir Sahib, calamari at Taste of the Danforth, hockey hat-tricks…for a big guy, Blues clubbin, “Room 4”, Raps Home Opener, “White picnic table in the living room” parties, Rahat @ Roy Thomson Hall, Super Bowl with the Boys, Irish Dance Ballin', Katti Rollin @ Greenwich Village, U2 on the floor @ the dome, Leafs Game behind the penalty box on HoF Induction Night, Sonu Nigam Live, moms cholay bhaturay festival, unanticipated May 24 weekend pubbing at City Hall Sports Café and then dancing on Mama’s driveway in broad daylight. Wow, so much fun and so much to be thankful for in 2009, most of all my family and friends.

Raj Kapoor and Mukesh...very few combos came close.

Vintage Rafi, Dharmendra, and Parekh

Vicco Turmeric Ayurvedic Cream, Vicco Turmeric Ayurvedic Cream!

• I went to the Jagjit Singh concert last Sunday. It was pretty good but you could tell that his age is catching up to him. He avoided singing the high notes, and in general didn’t really sing all that much. He allowed his musicians to entertain us with these long (but great) musical interludes while he’d excuse himself for water breaks.
• This is just wrong: “Eglington Carpet Presents an Elegant Evening of Ghazals with Jagjit Singh.”
• 21% of the Brampton’s population is Punjabi. Damn! That’s a lot higher than I originally thought. 1 in 5 people in Brampton are Punjabi! WOW.
• You know you’re that 1 in 5 when: 1. You’re grandmother insists that a glass of 7-Up with black pepper cures everything. 2. You have at least one uncle that cleans his ears with his car keys. And last, but certainly not least…if you know the words to the "Vicco Turmeric" commercial.
• Really, really lookin forward to the CFL season this year. After all, I am now officially an Argos seasons ticket holder. Wahoooo!
• Damn we have a lot of telemarketers calling our house! I’ve been home the last few days and have noticed that we get almost 3 calls a day from people trying to sell us stuff. The worst part is that most of the people calling can’t speak English properly! I’m hoping for their sake that these long distance calling companies are hoping that the strong accents of their operators will remind us of our family back home and as a result we’ll buy their long distance plans. That’s the only way this makes sense, and even then, very little.
• And while I’m on this telemarketing topic….For God sake, I do not own any ducks! So please don’t call me everyday asking me if I want them cleaned. ;)
• Tried making palaak paneer yesterday. BAD IDEA! Turned out horrible! Not even Jalepenos and garlic could save it. You see, my theory is that if something doesn’t taste that great, add Jalepenos and garlic you’ll make it eatable.
• I haven’t enjoyed watching the NHL playoffs this much since 1993. Props to the NHL for actually sticking to the rule changes this year and improving the game. The best part is the parity. There are really no favorites to win the cup, especially considering the fact that almost all of the top seeds in the West have been eliminated. Some may say the Sens are the favorites. Maybe, but I hate the Senators. I guess that’s my Torontonian side coming out. Anyhow, my Canadians got eliminated last night. At least Gainey now has a better idea now of how to improve the team for next year.
• I really, really want to watch ‘Gangster’. Heard it’s great. I’m a little more cautious about high expectations now though. The last movie I was really looking forward to (History of Violence) sucked! I didn’t like it at all.
• Regular small Ice Cap (which is made with cream): 250 calories, 11g fat. Small Ice Cap with Chocolate milk: 150 calories, 1.5g fat. Chocolate milk one actually tastes better too. Good to know.
• Don Cherry’s Restaurant has the best Nachos!
• And to end it off...

Scene: A wedding, the bride's house, the females who are dressing up and decorating the bride are supposed to be singing, while the parents are looking at each other sad yet happy... the chorus sings:
"Bade naazon se paali hamaari banno, tujhe dulhan banaaye ree pyaari banno. Tujhko haldi ka ubhtan lagaayein sakhiyaan (at this point there is cackling laughter from all the girls, as they apply turmeric paste to her legs and her cheeks) teri kaaya ko kanchan banaayein sakhiyaan. (chorus) roop kundan sa chamke hamaari banno, tujhe dulhan banaaye ree pyaari banno..."

Yeh Hai Meri Kahani -- Zinda

Yeh Hai Meri Kahani
Khamosh Zindagani
Sannata Keh Raha Hai
Kyun Zulm Seh Raha Hai

Ek Dastaan Purani
Tanhayi Ki Zubani
Her Zakham Khil Raha Hai
Kuch Mujh Se Keh Raha Hai

Chubtay Kantay Yadoon Ke Daaman Say Chunta Hoon
Girti Deewaron Ke Aanchal Mai Zinda Hoon

Bass Yeh Meri Kahani
Benishaan Nishaani
Ek Darr Beh Raha Hai
Kuch Mujh Se Keh Raha Hai

Chubtay Kaanten Yadoon Ke Daaman Se Chunta Hoon
Girti Deewaron Ke Aanchal Mein Zinda Hoon

Bajay Pyaar Ki Shabnum Mere Gulistaan Mein
Baraste Rehte Hain Har Simt Maut Ke Saye
Siyahiyon Se Ulajh Padti Hain Meri Aankhein
Koi Nahi .. Koi Bhi Nahi Jo Batlaye
Kitni Der Ujalon Ki Raah Dekhe
Koi Nahi Hai Koi Bhi Nahi
Na Pass Na Durr
Yeh Pyaar Hai
Dil Ki Dharkan
Apni Chahat Ka Jo Ellan Kiye Jaati Hai
Zindagi Hai Jo Jiye Jaati Hai
Khoon Ke Ghoont Peay Jaati Hai
Khwaab Aankhon Se Siye Jaati Hai

Ab Na Koi Paas Hai
Phir Bhi Ehsaas Hai
Sihaeeyon Mai Uljhi Padi
Jeene Ki Ek Aas Hai
Yadoon Ka Jungle Yeh Dil
Kaanton Se Jal Thal Yeh Dil

Khubtay Kaanten Yadoon Ke Daaman Se Chunta Hoon
Girti Deewaron Ke Aanchal Mein Zinda Hoon

Ranu's Best Movies of 2005

3 Must-see Hollywood movies from 2005:

1. Munich: I had no expectations of this movie beforehand and damn did it kick-ass. This is the best thriller ever. I hope Spielberg does more of these kind of movies. There are at least a dozen “edge-of-your seat” scenes in this movie.
2. King Kong: Please don’t wait to watch it when it’s out on DVD. Watch it in the theatre. WOW!
3. Crash: Really makes you think about the complexities involved with racism, prejudices, and stereotypes. One of those “different lives intertwining” movies.

Red Eye was also pretty good. I felt Wedding Crashers and 40-year-old Virgin were over-rated. I didn’t find them all that funny. They had their moments, but they were too few. I’m either too demanding of comedies or these sexual comedies are just getting stale now. It’s easy making jokes about sexuality. Road Trip is still my fav. in that category. War of the Worlds SUCKED!

Favorite Hindi Movies of 2005:
Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi: Best movie of ‘05 (haven’t seen Iqbal yet though). That Chitrangada chick looked soo extremely hot. Don’t watch with family.
Viruddh: A.B.
Apaharaan: Could have been much better, especially the last 15 minutes, but great intense drama nonetheless. Nana rocks.
Salaam Namaste: Surprisingly enough I enjoyed this movie. It wasn’t amazing or anything, but surely entertaining. Found it much funnier than most others (No Entry, Garam Masala, etc.).
Black: It was a good movie. I actually wasn’t awed by it though. Found A.B.’s character somewhat annoying. A great performance nonetheless (Viruddh was his best this year). Rani was AMAZING.

Movies from 2005 I still wanna watch:
-A History of Violence
-Hustle ‘n Flow
-Iqbal
-Black Friday (Hindi)
-Bluffmaster

The Blog Dedicated To Monika

This blog is dedicated to my 'lil cousin Monika.

• Monika I bought the 5th season of "Three's Company" yesterday. We'll have to watch it over the x-mas break. This season has 'Mr Fairly' in it. Awesome!!
• Look, just for you I put up a pic of SRK. Ain't I the best cousin in the world? Considering how much I detest this guy, I actually put up his pic on this blog!! ;)
• You know what else we're gonna do over x-mas break right? Yummy!
• Monika turn 18 quickly please! You're holding up our Montreal trip!
• We need to have a big sleep-over during x-mas aswell.
• I love your room. Except for the posters of 'you-know-who'.
• Hey Monika, I saw the original 'Chalte Chalte' DVD on sale at BlockBuster for like $12. Do you have that one yet? Yeah, that's right, Blockbuster is actually selling hindi DVDs now. And there prices are great too!

Mera chain bain sab ujda. Jaalim nazar hata le...

...Barbaad ho rahe hai ji tere apne shaher wale...

• First of all, thanks to all for the Birthday wishes. The wishes, dinners, family gatherings, and gifts were awesome. Too bad however that most wishes followed with, "So how old are you now?" And then that's just a setup for the next question, the worst one of them all...It becomes a punjabi greeting once you're 23 "...Ranu, hun phir tu viyaa kahdo karna?" Can't imagine how bad it is for girls. It's kinda disturbing how much emphasis is put on this in our culture.
• The 'Kajra Re' video is just awesome!!! Too good!! The expressions that both ABs show through that song are brilliant. And as mush as I dislike Ash...her bare waist can be used as a lethal weapon.
• Liberals, I'm telling you! Just give into a January election! Don't let the idea of campaigning over x-mas scare you. X-mas means very little to desis and so we'll still vote in all your punjabi candidates anyway.
• I'm tired.
• I'm going to the Argos game at the Skydome this Sunday. Can't wait!!...Should be one great, fun game. Plus, the Grey Cup is coming to Toronto in 2007...that'll be one huge party!!
• Haven't gone to a party in a long time. MUST DANCE SOON! I'm starting to twitch these days.
• "KAJRA REEYYYYYYY! Kajra re, Kajra re, tere kare, kare naina..."
• OK, not good...my head is rocking back-and-forth in a computer lab again. That song gets in my head and I just can't help it. I gotta distract myself...hmmm...
• I rarely find blondes atttactive, but Madonna, Ellen, and Julia Stiles are yummy exceptions. I know what ur thinking...Ellen!?!....I don't know why, she's just hot. Maybe it has somin to do with her dancing...Or maybe it's b/c I know she's extremely hard to get!
• Oh, yeah....Happy Birthday Gagan! So how old are ya now buddy? Gagan yaar, hun phir tu viyaa kahdo karna? haha.
• Felt dry this past Gurpurab hardly doing any sewa at the Gurdwara.
• Oh yeah! I took Maria and Phil to the Gurdwara on Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Gurpurab. It was pretty interesting getting their reaction to the whole thing. It seemed like they enjoyed their visit. The most hilarious part was watching Phil struggle with keeping his legs crossed while drinking cha and later while eating Langar. Phil looked like a bharatnatyam dancer as he helplessly adjusted through many uncomfortable sitting positions. That's pretty ironic considering he didn't want to look outta place at the Gurdwara.
• I gotta learn how to read and write punjabi over the x-mas break.
• "Pyar Mein Twist", "Iqbal", "Main, Meri Biwi, aur Woh", "Maine Ghandi ko Nahi Mara", and "Water." All of these movies will have to wait until after December exams.

Happy Diwali to Everyone !

Sikh Significance of Diwali:
In addition to the well known reasons for all Indians to celebrate Diwali (triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance), Sikhs have additional reasons to commemorate the occasion. Diwali marks the anniversary of Guru Hargobind Ji being released from the prison at Gwalior Fort. It was on this day in 1619 A D. that The kind Guru ji refused to leave the fort on his own and demanded the release of other 52 Hindu Rajas. The Moghuls decided on a compromise. They said all the Maharajas that can hold onto your Chowla (gown) could walk out free along side you. The Sikhs smartly made a special Chowla with 50 long strips and all the prisoners walked free. Upon their return to Amritsar grand celebrations were held. Harmandir Sahib ji (Golden Temple) was illuminated and fireworks were displayed. Gurbani Kirtan (Hymns) and prayers were performed.

Diwali in ranu-speak:
Lotsa mathyai (sweets). Aloo tikian, fresh hot jalebi...mmm. Lotsa rush at the Gurdwara, divey(diyas), fireworks. Many bollywood blockbusters are released right about now. Flu-shot time... and unfortunately also midterms...Aight people, gtg study. Take care.

Oh yeah, congrats again Mercuitio.

Gale Lipte Hain Woh Bijli Ke Dar Se...

... Ilahee Yeh Ghata Do Din To Barse. (NFAK)

• Regarding Emad's comment to my last blog. I think he's right. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is the best South Asian musician to ever live. I thought maybe Lata would rank up there, but Nusrat was much, much more than a singer and his music crossed many language barriers.
• Unfortunately I don't know much about Ravi Sharkar so I can't really comment about him. All I know is that Shankar puts me to sleep and Nusrat pumps me up. Ravi Shankar has won many Grammy's and this quote about him is impressive: "Ravi Shankar is the Godfather of World Music"- George Harrison.
• Also, I know Nusrat was overweight most of his life but I still wonder how much his passionate live concerts contributed to his early death. I've seen concert videos of him where he'd almost be in a trance for hours. He'd be exhausted yet he'd never ease up. If you've never seen Nusrat live in concert I highly recommend you go rent a movie or DVD of it. He's so overpowering it's unbelievable.
• Regarding Gagan's comment to my last blog....No comment.
• Another note to non-punjabi desis. Often the 'z' sound in punjabi is pronounced as a 'j'. For instance, 'zaada' = 'jaada' and 'sabzi' = 'sabji'. There's a reason I'm telling you this, have patience.
• Some Favorites....Gum - Dentyne Fire. Shoe Brand - Nike. Sport to play - Basketball. Clothing brand - Polo (not Chaps!). Cereal - Raisin Bran (although at around 1 o'clock it doesn't feel all that great, if ya know what I mean). Snack food - Cold grapes or roasted almonds. Sabji - khumba (mushrooms). Soap - Irish Spring (The scent of it kick starts my mornings). Deoderent - Old Spice. Sport to watch - Football (the oval ball one ;) ). NHL Team - Montreal Canadians. Ice Cream flavor: French crisp (Laura Secord). Raptor player (all-time): Antonio Davis. Candy/Chocolate - Small Red Lintdor ball-thingy.
• Okay, maybe you didn't need to know all that. Oh well.
• Jazzy B is an idiot!! He can sing but he needs to take some medication for his "waving his stiff arms in the air and always looking constipated" condition.
• Another pet peave: People wasting food. Throwing out half of a sandwich because they're full. WTF? The worst is when people are wasting Langar in the Gurdwara. I can't understand it! Even adults do it! What a shame.
• Why do punjabi movies always star punjabi singers?
• AWESOME (although many words were too so-fist-tick-eight-ted for me) article on Amitabh Bachchan and his role in Bollywood. BTW, is the critics name a joke? http://www.filmlinc.com/fcm/3-4-2005/ab.htm

Akhian udeek diyan, dil waajan marda...

...aaja pardesiya, wasta hi pyar da...aaja tenu akhian udeek diyan...

• ...and on the 7th day God created Tabu so that one day a punjabi Brampton boy named Ranbir could have a dream.
• Gurdas Mann has been around for years. He is hands down the voice of punjabi music for the last 25 years. He has changed along with the times, and at times has even set the trends of punjabi music. When I was 4 years old I attended a concert of his and got to dance with him on stage. I've only seen him live once since then. He's awesome live!
• And no Phil, Gurdas Mann is not Harbhajan Mann's son.
• And for all non-punjabi's...In punjabi 'bh' is pronounced as a 'p'...just a warning for when you hear me say 'pungra', 'Pagat', and 'Harpajan'.
• Pet peave #1: I hate it when people litter.
• Forgot 2 songs from my list earlier: Ek kadki hai (Hum Dono) and Mera rang de basanti chola (The Legend of 'Pagat' Singh).
• BTW, my favorite movies are listed in my profile (at the top right of this page).
• Here's a recipe I think I can lay claim to inventing...I hope. Pop open a can of Heinz breakfast beans and 'thurdka la' it. Yummy, and quick.
• I absolutely love the feeling of getting into a cool bed in a cool room and getting all wrapped up in a comforter. Waking up in the cold however, is not so pleasent.
• You'd think that with technology going the way it has the last 10-15 years that someone could invent a toilet seat heater. Damn!! Sometimes it can take you minutes just to convince yourself to sit on the damn thing this time of year. And I'm a guy....can't imagine the daily suffering of women.
• Pet peave #2: Don't you hate it when you're driving and then all of sudden you get this obnoxious itch on the bottom of your foot.
• Taken away waaay before his time: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Already had the western world awed by his talent and had just stepped into the Bollywood realm. He could have been the greatest musician we had ever seen. Can't believe it's already been 8 years since he died.
• Music lyricists never get their proper due.
• Heard this stat the other day and found it really, really surprising. Sikhs account for 2% of India's population, yet Sikhism is the 5th largest religion in the world. Think about it.
• Regarding my list of fun things i want to accomplish before the age of 30, birthday boy Emad commented, "Get married before 30." While I do intend on doing that before 30, it doesn't qualify as fun at all. All joking aside, the actual wedding itself never seems to be much fun for the couple and the immediate families involved. They all look like stressed out robotic zombies. Punjabi weddings, at least, are meant to be fun for friends and extended family, especially cousins. That doesn't bug me though...I got over 15 cousins :) So what if one day they'll all have a ball at my expense ;) Right Sunny and Monika? (Apparently Sunny and Monika actually have dreams about my wedding day).
• Now if just everyone could convince Tabu to give me a chance.
• "He looks like a man where everyone else is a boy. He looks like he could flatten people with one punch." - Ram Gopal Verma on Abhishek Bachchan.
• Pet Peave #3: I hate it when people start bitching that they have such a horrible life for the stupidest of reasons. Stop complaining. We have all the opportunites in the world where we live. If you're healthy and are just having a few bad days, please don't go on telling everyone how miserable your life is, because it's not. You're just a miserable person.
• Ok, had to get that one off my chest.
• I'm trying to find 2 'pungra' songs. Used to have the cassette but now can't find the songs anywhere: 'Raati Ishqe Di Hoi Barsaat, Sari Raat pijdey rahey' and 'Naachno tho pehla' both from a Hans Raj Hans album around 10 years old. If you have the MP3s, please send :)
• I'm watching Russell Peters live in Mississauga on October 22nd. Can't wait! "Sumbody gonna get huurt...real bad."

My Favorite Hindi Songs

A lot of you have complained that I tag too many songs as being my 'favorite song'. So a couple weeks ago I started this list. Although the rankings are not precise, I have made some attempt at listing them in order. Make sure to 'comment' if you think I might have left something out. Give your 2 cents.

1. Abhi zinda hoon (Naajayaz)
2. Mere Khaabon mein jo aye (DDLJ)
3. Dekha Ek Khaab to (Silsila)
4. Chaiyan Chaiyan (Dil Se)
5. Salaam-E-Ishq (Muqaadar ka Sikandar)*
6. Mujhe naulakha manga de ra (Sharaabi)*
7. Tere dard se (Deewana)
8. Aaj mausam (Loafer/Monsoon Wedding)
9. Kajra re (Bunty aur Babli)
10. Neela aasman so gaya (Silsila)
11. Ramta jogi (Taal)
12. Rang Barse (Silsila)
13. Satrangi re (Dil Se)
14. Yeh jo mohabbat hai (Kati Patang)
15. Mera jevan kora kagaaz (Kora Kagaz)
16. Jis din suraj ki pehli kiran (Sir)
17. Kariye Na (Taal)
18. Jo guzar rahi hai mujh par (Mere Huzoor)
19. Khamoosh Raat (Thakshak)
20. Jaane Kaise Kub kaha (Shakti)
21. Mann Ki Lagan (Paap)
22. Chingari koi bhadke (Amar Prem)
23. Manzilen apni jagah hain (Sharaabi)
24. Ae Ajnabi (Dil Se)
25. Dil ki tanhai ko (Chahaat)
26. Yeh kahan aa gaye hum (Silsila)
27. Suraj Hua Madham (K3G)
28. Pag ghungroo bandh (Namak Halal)
29. Kuchh to log kahenge (Amar Prem)
30. Yunhi chala chal (Swades)
31. Hume tumse pyar kitna (Kudrat)
32. Inthea ho gayi, intezaar ki (Sharaabi)
33. Yaari Hai Imaan (Zanjeer)
34. Teri meri kahani hai (Shor)

*: I really only like Kishore Kumar's (A.B.) half of these songs.

Newcomer Ranulal final lead in Krisnamurty's 'Rusgulay'

Tinku Gonzalves – A.P.
Oct/09/05
After months of deliberation K.K. Krisnamurthy has cast Ranulal Swamikumar in his next venture, ‘Rusgulay’. This fourth (and last casting) is being publicized 2 months after Krisnamurty had already announced that Mohanlal, Arvind Swami, and Ajith Kumar would play the other 3 leading roles in his film.

Interestingly however, Ranulal had not actually formally auditioned for the role. Word has it that Ranulal, originally from Toronto, Canada, was spotted by Krisnamurty in a Madras bazaar. Ranulal addresses this for us.

“Yes, this is true. I was vacationing throughout India and came to Madras to meet up with some friends. One evening we decided to go out to the bazaar. Some horseplay between my friends and I led to my upper lip being covered with chocolate ice cream. As I was walking to the washroom to cleanup I was approached by 3K-ji. It was very embarrassing! When you’re on foreign soil and you don’t really fit in because you’re a little overweight, and then on top of that you’re approached by a celebrity while you’ve got ice cream on your face, it’s quite embarrassing you know,” Ranulal said laughingly.

As it turns out, his weight and the ice cream stain that night is what has Krisnamurty believing that Ranulal will be the next great South Indian actor. “He is a great find for me. Ranulal has grown a mustache and put on another 10 pounds at our request. He has already changed his name to adapt to his new surroundings and so we’re confident that we can successfully launch him into superstar stardom with my next release. He is exactly what the public wants. What the audience here loves,” stated Krisnamurty.

So far so good. Krisnamurty's forecast is proving to be quite accurate as Ranulal posters are already appearing in the bedrooms of many teenage girls throughout the southern states.

Although very little is known about ‘Rusgulay’ itself, word has it that that the film will be made in black and white, and will not star any leading ladies.