« Hamas + Iran: “Never Forego Jihad Against Israel” | Main | The Mortal Threat: Western Relativism »
May 29, 2008
The New and Improved Hollywood
Quick, what country produces the highest volume of movies in the world?
America, good ol' Hollywood, right?
Nope.
The correct answer is India, affectionately known as Bollywood.
In fact, Bollywood produces some of the most dazzling movies we have ever seen. Whereas Hollywood long ago abandoned musicals—the quintessential American art form—Bollywood cranks out one amazing musical after another.
And the star system, dead in America—replaced by a debased celebrity culture—is thriving in India, where stars, male and female, need 24/7 security guards to protect them from adoring mobs—and kidnappers.
Aishwarya Rai is the biggest female Bollywood star. She is regularly billed above the title as The Most Beautiful Woman in the World.
Funny, when I was in China, the great Gong-Li had the exact same billing.
Here's a clip of the stunning and incredibly accomplished Aishwarya Rai doing a song and dance in Umrao Jaan. Highly recommended.
And yes, in the future we will be writing about Jews in Bollywood. For it was a handful of Jews who helped pioneer the fledgling Indian film industry, from the silent era into sound. Not surprisingly, some of Bollywood's first and greatest stars were Jews.
Yes, it's about time you heard about: Sulochana, born: Ruby Meyers, Firoza Begum, alias: Susan Solomon, Ramala Devi, born: Rachel Cohen, Pramila, born: Esther Abraham, David Abraham Cheulkar, better known as David, and Nadira, born Florence Ezekiel.
All were great stars in early Indian movies, now sadly forgotten.
Indian actress Nadira, born:
Florence Ezekiel.
Seraphic Secret thanks faithful reader E.V. for educating us regarding the history of Jews in the Indian film industry and for linking us to the You Tube clip. Seraphic Secret says it repeatedly: we are nothing without our hugely dedicated and literate readers.
Yours truly with Gong-Li, billed in China as “The Most Beautiful Woman
in the World.” Who am I to argue?
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at May 29, 2008 07:50 AM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
Gong Li IS the most beuatiful woman in the world
Yum.
All those Bollywood "actresses" look the same to me.
Posted by: Gregory at May 29, 2008 09:24 AM
Gregory:
Hit your refresh button. I posted a pic of TMBWITW with yours truly. Eat your heart out:-)
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.seraphicpress.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at May 29, 2008 09:34 AM
Great post...
Robert, you are very correct that Bollywood is really big and its star's are huge.
The other passion that grips India is the sport of Cricket. For those not familiar with this sport of British origin, it is somewhat similar to baseball.
Well, this past month India has been in the grips of a 60 day Cricket league....
Many of the high profile Bollywood stars own the teams....and can be seen at the games.
Here is a good article that shows the gobs of money the stars have put in to this endeavor.
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ipl/content/story/333193.html
And, yes, Im one of those rare Americans who enjoy watching Cricket;
At least the ol' empire left us with some good things. ;)
Posted by: Lance at May 29, 2008 10:49 AM
My first real taste of Bollywood was watching the film Bride & Prejudice. It was slightly comical and purely entertaining, somewhat along the lines of Fiddler on the Roof. The colors were vibrant and the music moved you.
Apparently Israelis are very much into Israeli-sounding music, too. Check out this YouTube selection (WARNING: Kol Isha is featured, and not the most modest dress); a rather catchy tune.
Posted by: Pearl at May 29, 2008 11:38 AM
oops...meant to say Israelis are very much into Indian-sounding music.
Posted by: Pearl at May 29, 2008 11:41 AM
I enjoyed "Monsoon Wedding" and also "Lagaan," which is about an Indian village which plays a cricket match against the local British officials. The stakes are high: no taxes for three years if the Indians win; taxes *tripled* if the Brits win.
An Indian film is planned about the life of Noor Inayat Khan, a Sufi woman of Indian and American heritage who served as a British secret agent (in France) during WWII.
Posted by: david foster at May 29, 2008 01:00 PM
They are really very different types, both crazy pretty. It's not fair. : )
Posted by: Alice at May 29, 2008 01:25 PM
The video was quite enjoyable. When was that picture of you and Gong Li taken?
Posted by: Jack at May 29, 2008 02:35 PM
" ... in the future we will be writing about Jews in Bollywood ... "
here is an interesting reference,
which dates the Jews of India back to the time of the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash :
Who are The Jews of India
Posted by: exdemexlib at May 30, 2008 06:58 AM
Lance:
Thanks so much for the link. I've never seen a cricket match, but I like the cool uniforms they wear. Very Masterpiece Theater.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at May 30, 2008 08:34 AM
Pearl:
Great clip, thanks so much.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at May 30, 2008 08:35 AM
David:
Thanks for the link. Should be a fascinating film.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at May 30, 2008 08:37 AM
Alice:
They are both so beautiful and talented that labels defy reality.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at May 30, 2008 08:38 AM
Jack:
About 12 years ago. I've aged. Gong Li has only grown more beautiful.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at May 30, 2008 08:40 AM
Exdem:
The history of the Jews of India is fascinating. The most recent Jewish influx were Jews from Iraq and Morocco after the '67 War. But now there are only about 3,000 Jews in India. The rest have made aliyah.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at May 30, 2008 08:43 AM
I wish that Gong Li knew English so that she would know what a great fan you are. :)
I know several Chinese people (including myself) who would agree with you that she is the most beautiful woman in the world.
Posted by: orieyenta at May 30, 2008 10:53 AM
I've aged.
A little bit, not all that much. Now I don't even want to begin to say how much I have changed in the last 12 years, ouch.
Posted by: Jack at May 30, 2008 12:07 PM
Orieyenta:
Gong Li and I communicated just fine. I had a government translator/spy who was really great. And Gong Li did speak enough English to ask me if it's true that Jewish men make the best husbands.
I assured her that it's absolutely true. “At least I am,” I added like a huge dope.
She giggled.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at May 30, 2008 12:28 PM
Jack:
You're very kind. I feel like I've aged a hundred years since Ariel ZT'L first became ill and then 8 years later was niftar.
We hope to see you at the lecture. Maybe you can bring Mrs. Jack. Anxious to meet the lady who captured your heart.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at May 30, 2008 12:31 PM
My two favorite Gong Li Movies are "To Live" and "The Story of Qui Ju", both which tell of living under communism while "To Live" is less critical of it.
Posted by: eeyore at May 30, 2008 12:32 PM
Hi Robert
I may have told you this before but Bollywood has a special place in my heart. The first time I met Judy my fiancée (at a Jewish singles event) she spent a large part of the evening telling me about her love of Bollywood movies. She currently goes to Bollywood dance classes once a week. Thanks to her I’ve seen quite my share of Bollywood movies. And listened to … well, a ton of soundtracks.
And, quite coincidentally, a few weeks back I met an Australian documentary maker (unfortunately I can’t recall his name) who was going to Mumbai to film a special on Jewish Bollywood stars.
Best wishes
Sean Shapiro
Posted by: Sean Shapiro at June 1, 2008 04:15 AM
Sean:
Yes, I do remember your enthusiasm for Bollywood films.
A special on Jewish Bollywood stars? I want to know more.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at June 1, 2008 09:37 PM