How Bollywood Can You Be?

Written: May 15, 2004
Last Updated: May 16, 2004

Planet Read launches with a Bollywood-themed party in Piedmont.

My colleague in the Digital Vision Fellowship, Brij Kothari, kicked off his Planet Read project with a Bollywood-inspired party in Piedmont. Planet Read's goal is to improve literacy in India by combining same-language subtitling (think Karaoke) technology with movies, books, and songs.

How Bollywood Can You Be? was the theme of the party. A few days ago, Brij told me of a movie called Chachi 420, which is basically a Bollywood version of Mrs. Doubtfire. Assured by Brij that dressing up as Jayaprakash Paswan would go well with the crowd, I got a sari from Rae's sister and carefully planned for Elsa's arrival on Saturday night. Thanks to Burny's friend (whose name escapes me at the moment), Rae and I were transformed into Janki and Jayaprakesh!

Javier and Ginger provided the great DJ'ing and music. A veteran of Clubertino, Javier is now well-versed in the Bollywood/BhangraÊrhthyms. The style of dance is much more fun and festive than what you'd see at a club in San Francisco. I wonder what a traditional Indian wedding would be like to photograph!

The end of the academic year is quickly approaching. I'm going to miss the people in the Fellowship and the parties we've had. If I ever decide to travel around the world, I know that there'll be places to see and people to reunite with in Italy, India, Kenya, South Africa, and more!

Enter The Photo Gallery

Reader Comments

Wow.

After seeing Elsa, I don\'t know whether to be scared, embarassed, or aroused.

Looks like a good time ;)

--posted by syndromes @ Sunday, May 16 2004, 14:41 pm PDT

哇！Elsa 真的長的不錯呀！

--posted by Tim Chong @ Monday, May 17 2004, 0:25 am PDT

Have I mentioned my secret plot to assassinate Elsa? ;)

--posted by Eric Cheng @ Thursday, May 20 2004, 22:58 pm PDT

You and Rae don't fool me....
syndromes, I am scared! ;)

--posted by Bill Olding @ Friday, May 28 2004, 21:03 pm PDT

Man am in love with one pic with tilt "light dance".
This girl is real pretty. look at her smiles..her eyes..her sharp features...man am so much in love with her.

--posted by pal @ Saturday, January 7 2006, 15:21 pm PST

I missed my email in above address.
Just in case if that woman contacts me ;-)

am in love with her................eternal love.

--posted by pal @ Saturday, January 7 2006, 15:23 pm PST


Azul dances	Elsa, Brij, Burny, and Akash	Elsa and spiritual guru Rahul
Akash, Brij, and Rahul	Azul dances with his dad	Javier the DJ
Dancing!	Ginger looks up to Javier	Edgardo and Steve
Tom and his son	Having fun	All together now
Enjoying the evening	Rae says hello!	Piedmont at night
Getting something to drink?	Tom and Burny talk	DVF Fellows
Khalid and his two wives	Conversations captured	Linda and Nicole
Edgardo and his family	Shy kids can dance too!	Rae
Rae whispers something to Ginger	Brij, Mr. Planet Read	Elsa dances
The party continues!	Dancing	Dancing
Brij, Katherine, and Linda	Megan and Khalid	Nicole and Read
???	Card swapping	More dancing
Twirl and colors	Light dance	All together now!
Brij and Ameeta	Nicole and Tom	Spin dance
It's all good!	In a circle!	Rahul and Linda
Katherine