RIP Ajeet Singh Matharu

Poem by Langston Hughes

I loved my friend.

He went away from me.

There's nothing more to say.

The poem ends

Soft as it began-

I loved my friend.

India Shining

Dear India,

Congratulations on your 25th anniversary of meting out swift justice to over 4000 men, women, and children in just under 5 days time. May the dim flicker of their smoldering corpses forever be eclipsed by the blinding light of your success!

Here's my humble tribute to the lasting achievements of that glorious time - mob rule, indiscriminate violence, and a continuing culture of impunity. It's the least I could do: following in a tradition of yours, of course.

-Your Secret Admirer

SF Meetup: Winter 2008

3 hours on MS Paint. I swear on Gandhi's grave. (Yes, I'm aware he wasn't buried.)

It's true folks: I have waaay too much time on my hands.

I really enjoyed meeting all of you! If I wasn't able to connect with you at the meetup, please email me and if you received a CD you can leave (much appreciated!) feedback here. 

Oh yeah, in case you were wondering about the couple, this should put your inquiring minds at ease. Just don't ask what I was doing trolling drug company websites.

Kearny Street West's 10th Annual Festival of Emerging APA Artists

APAture 2008

THURS, September 18 * 7 - 9:30pm

GALLERY OPENING AND FESTIVAL KICK-OFF
visual art
KSW's space180 Gallery
180 Capp Street @ 17th Street, 3rd floor
$15.00 suggested donation

with DJ Drrrty Poonjabi

Elusive, eccentric, and shrouded in Salinger-esque mystery, the artist known only as Drrrty Poonjabi has emerged from self-imposed exile to announce that five golden tickets have been hidden in copies of the DJ's mix CDs, and to the five people who find them will come the most fabulous prize one could wish for: a lifetime supply of chocolate I'm playing 2 hour set at an art gallery. Self-identify as a Mutineer and receive a free mix CD!

The Sanctity of Life

Oh hi. I didn't see you there. What's been going on in the last couple of months? Not much? Same here, though:

-I'm alive (and never have TB).

-The brilliant comic who once asked "why aren't there any Chinese guys named Rusty?" is dead.

Although I can say I have a greater appreciation for being alive after being so sick, my man George made some great points about how it ain't what it's all cracked up to be.

Holy Cow Part Deux

I returned from my spur-of-the-moment, month-long trip to India two weeks ago with the obligatory for any first-time backpacker: lots of pictures, miniature Buddhas, useless tchotchtkes, a fierce farmer's tan, scarcely believable stories, expanded horizons, an appreciation for indoor plumbling, and a high fever with chills. After a fortnight of suffering through seemingly innocuous fatigue and headaches, I went into septic shock last night (not so innocuous). A quick trip to the ER (only a 3 hour wait!) revealed an infection in my maxillary sinus that had painlessly spread, perhaps over the course of a month, to the bloodstream. A course of antibiotics and painkillers should get me back to normal in, let's say, a week. Who knows. The doc thinks I could still have something else wrong with me- my TB results come in tomorrow. Cross your fingers (and lungs)!

Moral of the story: never go anywhere, ever.

In related news, diseases once thought endemic only in West are slowly spreading to the desh; behold, a Scientology booth in Chandigarh.


More pictures to come.

Holy Cow

I'm India right now.
For only the second time in my life, and the first time alone.
I don't know anybody here.
My only piece of luggage was lost and my driver never picked me up to take me to the hotel.
Someone get me a burger before I flip out.

The Most Epic Thing Ever?

Who cries for the children? Ronnie James Dio does, that's who.



Help me decide: did 80's over-indulgence reach its hairsprayed pinnacle with this wankfest disguised as a charity event, complete with a ridiculous 9-person, 5 minute guitar solo? Or perhaps that glorious nadir was reached with MAB's unholy union of two axes into one earth-shattering metal machine? Don't ask why I need to know.

Pulling a Kaavya Part II: Valentine's Day Edition

Yes, it's been over a year since I last promised to continue in my series of posting mashups based on songs shamelessly swiped from other works, but I've been waiting for a response from Anand-Milind regarding my allegation that they stole not only from the Muppet Babies, but in doing so, the very innocence of my childhood.

Jerks.

Anyways, today's bit of plagiarized musical pleasure come courtesy of Keni Burke, swiped by The Mary Jane Girls, and mashed together by yours truly. Though credited to Rick James, "All Night Long" bears an uncanny resemblance to a lesser-known song released by Keni two years prior. "Rising to the Top" promptly disappeared after it's release, but it's unmistakable bassline and overt pro-lovemaking stance was somehow found and repackaged into the girl group's debut album. The Rick James-produced track became a big hit, it's appeal lasting long after it disappeared from the charts: All Night Long became a perennial sampler's favorite and provided the backbone for numerous hip hop classics, including LL Cool J's "Around the Way Girl," Big Daddy Kane's "Smooth Operator," and Mary J Blige's "Mary Jane/All Night Long." Redman liked the track so much he used it thrice: Tonight's the Night, "Can't Wait," and the highly educational "How to Roll a Blunt" all use cuts from the song. On the other hand, Keni Burke's track, once relegated to the brightly colored dustbin of soul-funk history, has made a minor resurgence among crate-diggers and after dusting off a copy, dropping it on the turntable, and immediately noticing the similarities, I had to blend it with All Night Long. I only hope that the reader, before knocking chappals tonight with his/her respective habibi, puts on and appreciates this unwitting duet between two 80's proponents of getting it on.

DJ Drrrty Poonjabi - Rising to The Top, All Night Long

Dancing With Dastaars Part II

Heeray Punjab Deh, winner of the Best Dressed award, performing at last week's Dhol Di Awaz X.

Dancing With Dastaars

These guys are pure metal. The teams at last night's DDA X were all impressive, but the absence of KJ was sorely felt.

Congrats to Davis Di Dynasty for their first place finish. Their shiny new trophy should help quiet those who don't believe women have a place in bhangra.

More Like Full Moon of the Heart

Ape Shall Never Kill Ape [Updated]

Ape shall pay money to see Ape perform tonight at the Fillmore.

UPDATE 1/22/08

Forget everything I've claimed before, this was the most triumphant musical experience of my life. Details later, when I rematerialize form my current state of pure energy.

I'm Back, B*tches

It's been a slow recovery, but I'm back from the abyss.

SF Meetup - Summer 2007

There's nothing like meeting new people over a fresh, warm bowl of curry fries. Mmm....just like mummy used to make.


Here's the tracklist to the demo I handed out. If you received a copy, please leave feedback here.

1. DJDP Intro
2. DJ Drrrty Poonjabi Theme Song
3. Francoise Hardy - Le Premier Bonheur du Jour (DJ Drrrty Poonjabi Remix)
4. Unfinished Desi Beat One
5. 50 Cent - In Da Club (DJ Drrrty Poonjabi's You Can Find Me In Poonjab Mix)
6. Alka Yagnik - Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai (DJ Drrrty Poonjabi Remix)
7. Unfinished Desi Beat Two
8. Unfinished Bolly-Punk Beat

Bow Before My Elite MS Paint Skills

The DJ Drrrty Poonjabi Theme Song

Help Vinay

Vinay is a 28 year old husband, son, and physician who has been diagnosed with AML, a rare form of leukemia that is unresponsive to chemotherapy. Without a bone marrow transplant in the next 4 weeks, he will not survive. A simple cheek-swab test will determine whether or not you are a match and could save his life. Drives are planned for virtually every day and being held all over the country. Please attend one near you and help Vinay. Thanks.

I registered over the weekend, along with my cousin who was visiting from Canada. The small but steady trickle of complete strangers converging into an unknown place to do their part to save the life of a man they've probably never met was inspiring and moving. If haven't already done so, I urge you to attend a drive or join the registry online. This is entirely doable: Vinay can live, but only if you help.

Get Yer Poonjabi On

Somewhere amidst the bhangra dancing, henna booths, overpriced and undercooked samosas, and pent-up sexual tension and confusion evidenced by gangsta posturing and vicariously released by eventual drunken brawling (all obligatory for any desi event), this year's Punjabi American Festival will be showcasing Valarie Kaur and Sharat Raju's excellent and must-see film documentary, Divided We Fall. Here's a synopsis from the official site:

Driven to action by the murder of a turbaned man in her community, a college student drives across America in the aftermath of 9/11 to discover stories that did not make the evening news. From the still-shocked streets of Ground Zero to the desert towns of the American West, Valarie Kaur's inspiring journey uncovers remarkable stories of hate violence, fear, and unspeakable loss – until she finds the heart of America halfway around the world in the words of widow. Five years in the making, Divided We Fall: Americans in the Aftermath deftly explores race, religion, and what it means to be American in times of national crisis.

*Spoiler Alert* People are murdered senselessly and justice goes seemingly unserved. Though this may well be a fact of life, you'll be no less be surprised to see the reaction against the senselessness of the hate and violence and be moved by the uncommon kindness and compassion complete strangers are capable of sharing. Valarie is as much as a friend to me as she is an inspiration, and those who stick around after the film for the Q&A will have a chance to talk to this extraordinary person and share their own thoughts and experiences with 9/11 and the ensuing backlash against minorities. I urge anyone attending this year's festival or those in the Yuba City area to watch the film; everyone else can check the tour page to see when DWF will be playing locally or contact the team to schedule a showing near you.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I must return to my preparation for the festival: I still have to go buy an iced-out Om chain and work on my gangsta lean.

It's Been One of Those Days

Shantih Shantih Shantih

APRIL is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.

Oh, Canadians

Apparently, "looney" doesn't just refer to their dollar coin.

Since I'll be spending a few days in those amorphous, little understood hinterlands known as "Canadia" for a few days, can anyone recommend some places of interest for the tragic hipster in Toronto? Any cool shows coming up? If any Sepia Mutiny commenters are reading this, feel free to drop me a line if you want to meet up.

Here's a track from one of the greatest things to come out of Canadia since poutine, DFA 1979's Romantic Rights.

Just a Good Ol' Boy

I've always associated the greatest car of all time, The General Lee, with escape from tyranny and bondage, not embrace. When the time comes for me to make like a trailer and get hitched, I can only hope to go out in the same ironic manner.

In that spirit, here's one of Berkeley's fine but forgotten punk acts, Tilt, with their cover of the Dukes of Hazzard theme song, Good Ol' Boys.

How Do You Do, Ms. Chin Chin Chu?

I just stumbled onto this incredibly infectious old school Bollywood number via the ever-excellent WFMU blog. The story behind the slinky chanteuse, Helen Richardson, is interesting as the song is catchy.



Any Hindi speakers with a moment to spare out there willing to translate the song's lyrics into English for me?

Mera naam chin-chin-chu
Chin-chin-chu baaba chin-chin-chu
Raat chaandni main aur tu
Hello, mister, how do you do?
Baaba..baaba

Baabuji main chin se aayi chini jaisa dil laayi
Singaapur ka yauvan mera shanghaai ki angdaayi
Dil par rakh le haath zara, ho jaaye na paagal tu
Mera naam chin-chin-chu

Oh baabuji main aur aap, kitna achchha huwa milaap
Tujhko dekh tabeeyat bhadki, alaadin ki main hu ladki
Phunk du mantar chhu chu chu, sindbaad the sailor tu
Mera naam chin-chin-chu

A Celebration of Sikh Films

Join us for a celebration

of films by, about and

for Sikhs

Saturday • February 3rd • 2007

The Spinning Wheel Film Festival Bay Area is pleased to bring back Spinning Wheel Film Festival 2007, and for the second time in Bay Area after a successful debut last year.

Of particular note is the The The Spinning Wheel Film Festival Bay Area on Saturday, February 3^rd 2007, featuring Sikh documentaries, feature length movies, shorts and animated films, Q&A sessions with directors, producers and filmmakers from UK, Canada, India, Australia and USA. We are proud to announce that we will be showcasing films like ‘Gold Bracelet’, ‘Who do you think you are’ and ‘Amu’ in this year’s film festival. [From the official website.]

Here is the schedule and a description of the movies for this year’s film festival.


Cubberley Auditorium
School of Education, Stanford University
485 Lasuen Mall Stanford CA 94305
[directions]

Swamini Turiyasangitananda: 1937 - 2007

Although I'm truly shocked and saddened by her unexpected passing, I can take comfort in the fact that, unlike other spouses/children of famous artists whose own work will always be compared/overshadowed by their more notable kin, many were aware of and touched by her beautiful and serene music. "Blues Minor," a duet with the equally brilliant Marian McPartland, is a far more intricate and exquisite affair than its deceptively simple title would lead you to believe. "Opus 27," another duet, is much more subdued and somber, endlessly evocative without the uttering of a single word. Rest assured, both works will serve as my soundtrack for the next few days as I remember this fallen jazz legend.

Alice Coltrane with Marian McPartland - Blues Minor


Alice Coltrane with Marian McPartland - Opus 27


Much thanks to Siddhartha and fellow bloggers for bringing this news to the attention of myself and others who may not have otherwise found out. I'm glad to know others in our community were lucky enough to be see her perform or just enjoy her presence, even if it was for a fleeting moment.