Play.  Diwali often turns into an evening of gambling and playing cards.  If you don’t know how to play the traditional Teen Pathi (also known as Flash) , get the rules and tips here.  Remember you can play newer games like Texas Hold Em for a good time. 

Watch.  Spend time with your family with some classic Bollywood movies.  Here are some oldies but goodies.

Khabi Khushi Khabie Gum
Baghban
Karun Arjun
Maine Pyar Kiya

Eat.  Diwali is all about the food, so this is absolutely the time to showcase your cooking skills.  There is often mithai and other delicious sweets during this holiday, but you can also spice things up in the kitchen with savory delights.  Pick up Madhur Jaffrey’s newest cookbook ,  “At Home with Madhur Jaffrey” . If you don’t have time to go to the bookstore, there are some great recipe sites online.  One of CitySaheli’s favorites is http://showmethecurry.com/.   With instructional videos to help guide you, cooking up a South Asian storm couldn’t have been made easier. 

Happy Diwali Sahelis!

The foundation of Karva Chauth dates back many centuries and was actually founded upon the basis that new brides would reach out to and befriend other women to become their Godfriends or Godsisters for life; someone who they could depend on in their new married life.  The festival originated to celebrate this relationship between the women. Also usually falling in the month of October, Karva Chauth celebrates the harvest of new crops. 

The husband’s significance is very important in this observance because if it wasn’t for the holy sanctity of marriage, the newlywed wife wouldn’t have been able to find her Godfriends or Godsisters.  The celebration begins with the worship of Shiva, Parvati, Ganesh, Kartikeya, and the moon. The blessings are asked for longevity and prosperity of their husbands and children, followed by the consumption of “Sargi” which is food provided by the mother in law, to consume before sunrise.

In the modern day Karva Chauth, wives take this opportunity to relive their wedding day by getting henna applied, dressing up in beautiful red sarees and lenghas, and celebrating the bonds of marriage and husbands with their Godfriends and Godsisters in evening puja. 

If you are waiting for the moon to come out today, but aren’t able to get henna or dress up in a saree, consider going to the salon with a friend for a mani/pedi or going for a walk with a good friend.  Remember, it’s also a day to celebrate your girlfriends, your sahelis. 

The story itself revolves around the character of 29-year-old Sanjay Gupta, the New-Zealand born son of Indian immigrants. His problems, at least according to his family, revolve around his unmarried status. (Sound familiar?) When his parents conspire to set him up with a girl, the plot thickens and complications ensue. As the story develops, we encounter eight memorable characters – all skillfully played by Varma – each with a distinct personality and quirks. Varma switches from one character to another with uncanny ease, replacing his charming native Kiwi accent to a high-pitched woman’s or a genial uncle’s in a split second, contorting his face and miming actions to draw the audience in and make the story come alive. With excellent comedic timing and audience participation, there is never a dull moment in the show. Several bollywood-style music and dance numbers are interspersed throughout, a vehicle for Varma’s impressive dance skills. His high-energy performance is guaranteed to draw applause and keep you laughing the entire time.

The venue: quaint, intimate Triad NYC theatre, which is a bit hard to find, even on popular 72^nd street. The small space guarantees an up-close-and-personal view of the performer and a relaxed environment. There is a two-drink minimum and the bar is cash-only; expect a hefty price tag ($7) even for non-alcoholic beverages like soda, tea, and coffee. Tickets are $18-$30 and can be bought online here. There are only five more shows in New York, Sahelis, so be sure to book your tickets now!

Playing October 7 and 21, November 12, December 3 and 17 @ 9pm at the Triad NYC.

Last year, when two young Muslims in New York City began having iftar, the evening meal when Muslims break their fast during Ramadan, at a different mosque each night, they chronicled their meals and adventures on a blog, titled 30 Mosques in 30 Days. Ask Aman Ali, and he’ll tell you the entire project grew out of one moment of spontaneity. “We had just finished having iftar on the first night, and I turned to him [Bassam] and said, ‘What if we had iftar at a different mosque every night?’” Ali says the idea was “completely random” and “really came out of nowhere,” and at its heart, was a natural act of spontaneity for him. When he informed friends about it, “they weren’t surprised. They looked at me and said, ‘You would.’”  

The idea was simple—take advantage of the fact that nearly every mosque in New York City provides iftar each night for their community, have iftar at a different mosque each night of Ramadan, and then blog about it. Ali explains that he is the “ultimate foodie” and loves to “meet new people and learn what they’re all about,” making this project not a religious reflection on the month of Ramadan, but a chronicle of the people he meets and the food he eats.

Ali did not expect the project to gain as much attention as it did. “We weren’t even planning to have a website—the only reason we made one was because everyone kept asking for it. People kept telling me that I had to keep track of everywhere we went, and kept asking for us to write up our stories.” That website ended up attracting visitors not just from the New York area, but from all over the world. “We would track our visitors, and all of a sudden—from London, from South Africa, from Australia—people from all over the world were reading our blog, and that was just so crazy to me.”

This year, they’re making their adventure a national one. With planned stops in 30 cities across the country, the duo will be having iftar each night in a different state. The support from the community once again stunned Ali—when plans for a foundation to fund their trip fell through, they appealed to their readership. The donations came in quickly, and in 2 days, they raised over $3000. It is this loyalty and support that continues to motivate and humble Ali. “We do this because people want us to. They want us to tell these stories. Really, we do this for them. And it surprises me every time, the support we get from the community.”

With a route that outlines the entire country (see a map here), Aman is looking forward to seeing the diversity he encountered in NYC last year on a national scale. “I think we [the Muslim community] isolate ourselves a lot…[with this project] Bassam and I are trying to get out there. We meet all of these people, and just learn so much about the community.” Finding surprising sources of commonality in such a diverse community has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this project for Ali. He recalls an iftar last year at the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center in Staten Island where the majority of the people in attendance spoke little to no English. “All of a sudden I said something about the video game, ‘Call of Duty 4’ and all of these kids just lit up—before you know it, we’re sitting there and talking smack to each other. It was so great.”

Aman is aware of the challenges he and Bassam will likely face during their trip. “We’re going to be tired. Things will go wrong.” But the support they have received from the community and the excitement he feels about having new adventures to chronicle outweigh any technical difficulties they may face for Ali. “I’m a storyteller,” he explains, “and I can’t wait to get out there and tell these stories.”

Follow Aman and Bassam’s adventure! Go to http://30mosques.com for updates from their trip, as well as an archive of last year’s blog.

Have iftar with CitySaheli! Sign up for our newsletter, and be entered to win a chance to have iftar on us. The contest ends this Friday, August 20 so enter now!

Raja Ravi Varma
Varma is one of the greatest painters in the history of Indian art.  Varma traveled all over India and evolved a national style of painting.  He came from the princely state of Travancore and achieved recognition for his depiction of scenes from the epics of the Mahabharata and Ramayana. 

Varma’s paintings are considered to be among the best examples of the fusion of Indian traditions with techniques from European academic art.  He is most remembered for his paintings of beautiful sari-clad women.

Amrita Sher-Gil
Sher-Gil is one of India’s greatest female artists, with over 100 of her paintings displayed at the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi.  The daughter of a Sikh aristocrat and Jewish Opera singer, Sher-Gil was born and spent most of her childhood in Budapest, Hungry.  At the age of 8 her family moved to Shimla, India, where she began to learn to formally paint.  At 16 she sailed to Europe with her mother and began to formally train in Paris.

Sher-Gil’s earlier paintings display Western modes of paintings, but when she later returned to India, her rediscovery of the Indian traditions of art is apparent in her work.

F.N. Souza
Born in Goa, India, Souza founded the Progressive Artists’ Group with SH Raza to encourage Indian artists to participate in the international avant-garde.  After India’s independence, Souza moved to London and ultimately settled in New York.  Souza was one of the first post-independence Indian artists to receive recognition in the West.

The subjects covered in Souza’s paintings often comprise of still life, landscape, nudes and icons of Christianity and there is a visible influence of the folk art of Goa.  The figures, however, are deliberately distorted and reveal an uninhibited style, demonstrating Souza’s rebel and non conformist views.

S.H. Raza
Raza has lived in France since the 50s but still hold strong ties to India.  He is also a former member of the Progressive Artists’ Group.

Raza is a nature based painter who evolved from painting expressionistic landscapes to abstract ones.  Raza abandoned the expressionistic landscape for a geometric abstraction and the Bindu, which Raza perceives as the center of creation and existence.

M.F. Hussain
MF Hussain is considered to be Indian’s leading artist and according to Forbes magazine, is the “Picasso of India.”  He is India’s highest paid painter and a painting of his have sold for over $2 million at Christies.  In the 90s some of Hussain’s works became controversial because of their portrayal of Hindu deities in the nude.  As a result his house was attacked and series of charges were brought against him, forcing him to flee the country.

MF Hussain was one of the early joiners of the Progressive Artists’ Group of Bombay.  Hussain’s multi-faceted personality is displayed in most of his pieces, where he uses vibrant colors and a mysterious painting style.

Artistic Director, Payal Kadakia and Associate Artistic Director, Drasti Panchal, began the company with the mission to increase awareness of Indian dance in the mainstream and serve as a platform for expressing the Indian-American identity through dance.
 
The Friday Opening Night event will feature a speech by Guest of Honor, Academy Award nominated Hollywood filmmaker Mira Nair, who directed Monsoon Wedding, The Namesake and Amelia, amongst other acclaimed films.

“If you’re looking for snap, grace and crackle in dance, then look no further than The Sa Dance Company.  Their foundation is ancient, and their form utterly modern,” said Mira Nair.

In less than a year, The Sa Dance Company has become one of New York City’s most renowned Indian dance companies.  Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the expression an identity many of us associate with in this completely unique and exciting forum.

Show Times & Pricing

Friday, May 14th at 8:00pm – $25 (includes appearance by Mira Nair)
Saturday, May 15th at 2:00pm – $25
Saturday, May 15th at 8:00pm – $35 (includes Closing Night receptions)

Buy your tickets here.

On December 18, the National Jazz Museum in Harlem All Star Big Band will put on a concert led by swing master and tenor saxophonist Loren Schoenberg. New York-based salsa drummer Bobby Sanabria & Quarteto Ache perform on January 22, and the Sunny Jain Quartet, which played at the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Norway, star on February 12.

Tickets cost $18 dollars in advance and $20 at the door, and if you become a museum member you can get up to 25% off. For more information and a complete concert schedule, call the Rubin Museum of Art.

Rubin Museum of Art
150W 17^th Street
New York, NY
(212) 620 50344

The MIAAC opened last night with Today’s Special written by New York natives Aasif Mandvi and Jonathan Bines, and starring cinematic legends Naseeruddin Shah and Madhur Jaffrey. If you don’t recognize the name Aasif Mandvi, you will definitely recognize his face as that South-Asian guy on The Daily Show. This food comedy set in Jackson Heights, Queens, was inspired by Aasif’s Obie award-winning play, Sukina’s Restaurant.

The red carpet at the Paris Theater for the opening of this film festival was lined with celebrities. In addition to Aasif Mandvi and Madhur Jaffrey, independent Indian cinema icon, Shabana Azmi, and her famous lyricist husband, Javed Akhtar, were in attendance.  Acclaimed directors, Mira Nair, Shyam Benegal and Deepti Naval; Bollywood sweetheart, Manisha Koirala, and a member of the New York South-Asian literati, Suketu Mehta also graced screening and after-party with their presence.

Fret not if you missed opening night because this festival’s centerpiece, Tahaan, as well as closing night feature, Antaheen: The Endless Wait (starring the Helen Mirren and Ellen Burstyn of Bollywood: Aparna Sen and Sharmila Tagore) offer opportunities to view fantastic films and  rub elbows with established Indian filmmakers, actors andand rising stars. 

These intense, independent films call you to action and compel further discussion; however, if you are seeking more light-hearted fare, the festival does not leave you wanting.  City Saheli recommends a double-feature: Bollywood Beats and Bombay Summer on Friday, November 13 at Quad Cinemas on 13th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues as an alternative to the generic, Hollywood, horror flicks.

There is no shortage of selections, so check out the film festival website for a full schedule as well as show times and ticket purchases. 

Sidebar: There will be discussions about the art, culture, and politics of Indian cinema presented by MIAAC in conjunction with NYU which will include experts on panels exploring issues of interest on these topics. A ticket stub to any of the films gains the general public free admission.  Check out the link to the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU for more on that.   

In Search of Vernacular is the journey toward a visual language that gives voice to the post-modernist landscape of South-Asia.  In the aftermath of occupation, the sub-continent made strides to establish not just government and rebuild an authentic way of life; it also began the long process of realizing its unique artistic vision. 

Priyanka Matthew schooled us on Indian artists, when she revealed, “This is a rare chance to see Abanindranath Tagore and Nadalal Bose paintings outside of India.”  Like many “Primitivist” artists, Abanindranath Tagore rejected Western influence in an effort to create a unique pan-Asian art. His style references Mughal paintings in a deliberate attempt to cultivate indigenous work in contrast to occidental art.

Another featured artist, Jamini Roy’s early career was heavily influenced by post-impressionists like Seurat and Van Gogh but as he developed his craft he turned away from Western Modernism and drew inspiration from within Kalighat temples. This gradual shift from outward to inward is symbolic of a frequently expressed result of post-colonial life: the internalization of Western means which must eventually be shelved to expose the truth of Eastern origins.

These are just a few of the Masters whose paintings are installed at the gallery for the next month. Check out the opening reception on Thursday, November 12, 2009 from 6-8pm at Aicon Gallery located at 35 Great Jones Way in New York City.

In Search of the Vernacular

Featuring M. F. Husain, Jamini Roy, Anjolie Ela Menon, Bikash Bhattacharjee, Abindranath Tagore, Nadalal Bose, Sadequain, F. N. Souza, Jagdish Swaminathan, S. H. Raza & Laxma Goud.

Opening Reception: November 12, 2009 6-8pm
Closing Date: December 12, 2009

Aicon Gallery
35 Great Jones Way
New York, NY 10012
www.aicongallery.com
212-725-6092

The Tradition:  Sending Wishes

Tis the season to spread love, joy and well wishes.  Often people send an email, an SMS or the more traditional card to family and friends to wish them a happy Diwali, a prosperous new year, and a Sal Mubarak (Happy New Year).

CitySaheli found some places where you can order lovely original cards to send to family and friends.  If you are short on time, e-cards are also a great way to show your loved ones that you are thinking of them. 

CitySaheli’s picks:

Tinyprints

3BeesPaperie

Hallmark E-cards & Blue Mountain E-cards
 

The Tradition: Buying Steel and Gold on Dhanteras

Dhanetaras is an auspicious day when millions of Hindus pay homage to Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth.  Many followers buy steel gadgets for the kitchen, while others buy gold or silver on this day.  According to tradition, the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the home to upkeep, since it is where food is made. As such, steel items such as pots and pans are purchased.  Some also buy gold or silver for good luck.

Bored of pots and pans?  Spice up your Dhanteras this year with some new and different kitchen wear.

Alessi (Known for great Italian designs in steel)
130 Greene St
New York, NY 10012
(212) 941-7300

If you don’t have one, consider adding a Dutch oven.

Williams Sonoma (multiple locations within Manhattan)
Bed Bath & Beyond (multiple locations within Manhattan)

Michael Aram creates beautiful pieces for the home, many with an Eastern flare.  This designer’s work makes a fantastic Diwali gift or a great addition to your own home.

Michael Aram Flagship
136 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011

Jewelry is a gift loved by all and a great gift to give during the Diwali season.  Check out Waris Ahluwalia, who has designed jewelry influenced by the Sikh culture.  His work can be found at Barneys.

Barneys
660 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10065

Another great spot to check out if you want to give jewelry – Fragments.  This spot houses the top jewelry designers under one roof. 

Fragments
116 Prince Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 334-9588

The Tradition: Giving Sweets

Sweets are a staple in any South Asian cultural celebration and are eaten throughout the Diwali season.  Often families and friends visit each other to share sweets they have made or purchased to wish each other well for the new year to come. 

If you can’t make it, buy it.  Citysaheli has found some shops in Manhattan that sell scrumptious Indian delicacies.  If you aren’t a fan of South Asian sweets, be creative.  From macaroons to homemade truffles, New York is home to some of the of the best candy makers and chocolatiers in the world.

South Asian Sweet Shops

Sukhadia 
17 West 45th Street
New York City,  NY
(between 5th and 6th Avenue)
212-395-7300

Rajbhog (multiple locations outside of Manhattan)

Usha Food (this is great for savory snacks as well)
25503 Hillside Ave
Floral Park, NY 11004-1615
718-343-3217

Non-South Asian Sweets

Check this out for divine chocolates:

Kee’s Chocolates (multiple locations in Manhattan)

For French macaroon lovers:

MacarOn Café
161 West 36th Street
New York, NY 10018
T/F (212) 564-3525 

The Tradition: Gifting Gifts of All Types

Many families and friends exchange gifts for Diwali.  Usually elders give money to the younger generation, whether siblings, children or grand children.  Many times, parents gift their children new clothes or new toys, as Diwali is the time for new beginnings.  Candles are also a staple gift, since Diwali after all is the festival of lights! 

Specialty Candles We Love:

Sixth Sense
324 W 49th Street
New York, NY 10019-7312

Henri Bendel
712 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10019