Networking giant Cisco Systems is aggressively pursuing smart energy or green tech initiatives through its concept of Smart Connected Buildings.Cisco announced today that it is introducing the first of its product in the smart energy category called Network Building Mediator that was incubated in Cisco’s Globalization Center East in Bangalore, India. This is the first product to roll out of Cisco’s India operations, where they have also deployed this energy saving product in their Bangalore campus. ” We are making our India office sustainable, said Wim Elfrink, Chief Globalization Officer. They have started a competition in their India office to see which building uses energy in an efficient way.

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Michael Jackson, King of Pop, who passed away at the age of 50 earlier today exerted a huge influence on Bollywood and Indian film industry. It is difficult to ignore Jackson’s influence on Bollywood and Indian films. Just go back to the 1980s and watch the movies and you will clearly see Jackson’s influence. Not just the 1980s, but even recent ones have been influenced by Jackson. It is not surprising when you think about Jackson’s influence on Indian film industry since there was and is such a natural fit: the sequined clothes, those black shoes coupled with his white socks and that famous white glove. And of course there was Jackson’s music. Bollywood and Indian films repackaged and redistributed Jackson’s brand of music and fashion to India.

Whether they admit it or not, Indian film makers were heavily influenced by Jackson. Whether it was the dance steps, the music, fashion or the way the sets were created to reflect that look and feel of  Jackson’s music videos. It was in the use of light, the camera angle. Basically, the whole nine yards.People that were clearly influenced by Michael Jackson’s music, fashion and dancing style were: Govinda, Hrithik Roshan, Bappi Lahri, Mithun Chakraborthy (the original Disco Dancer) and Chiranjeevi. 

I think in in recent time if there was one person in Bollywood  that  re-introduced Michael Jackson’s style of dancing to  young movie goers it was Hrithik Roshan. Take a look at this Bollywood song with Hrithik Roshan and don’t tell me that you are not reminded of Michael Jackson?Still not satisfied? Then take a look at this video clip of Hrithik dancing and let me know if you see any Michael Jackson inspired moves here?

Perhaps the person who identified closely with Jackson’s style of dancing and fashion was the Bollywood actor Govinda, who popularized break dancing through his movies. In the early part of his career you can clearly see Jackson’s stamp on Govinda in the various song and dance sequences. The Govinda that  you saw in the late 1990s was a very different one when compared to his earlier avatar. Here is a video clip of Govinda and Neelam in Street Dancer.

Before Hrithik and Govinda there was Mithun Chakraborthy, also known as Mithun da, who popularized Jackson’s style of dancing.  In this video clip of Disco Dancer, you will clearly see how Jackson influenced the dance steps.  Besides Bollywood there were Telugu films that were heavily influenced by this cultural and pop icon.

A hallmark of  Telugu movies are their lavish song and dance sequences. An important ingredient for the success of Telugu films was the song and dance routine.  It was Chiranjeevi, a young successful star in the 1980s who popularized Michael Jackson’s style of dancing through his films.  Here is the Indian Thriller version. 

Finally, as if did not have enough exhibits to support Michael Jackson’s influence on India and the expat population that lives around the world…here is a final piece of evidence: Remember Madhu Singh and Suleimain Mirza  from Britain’s Got Talent? Don’t remember? Watch this video clip, which is a great piece that captures everything that I have been trying to paint with words. Enjoy. 

I wonder if Michael Jackson had any idea at all about the extent of his influence in India and the Indian film industry, especially Bollywood. Perhaps, he did have some inkling. But, we will never know. 

Rest in peace Michael Jackson.

PS: Thanks to Kittu Kolluri for reminding me that Prabhu Deva and Michael Jackson’s influence on this dancer/actor. 

The legendary musician Michael Jackson, King of Pop, passed away today apparently of a massive cardiac arrest. Earlier in the day a 911 call was placed from Jackson’s home and he was taken to UCLA Medical hospital, where he died according to various reports.

He was only 50 years old.

 There was barely any hint in the news of any prior illness. The news therefore came as a shock to millions of people.Michael Jackson was such a central part in so many of our lives all around the world because of his music.  

As one news commentator on CNN said before Barrack Obama, before Oprah there was Michael Jackson. He was a huge cross-over star, who is the first African-American entertainer to play on MTV. It is hard to underestimate the influence that Jackson had around the world, even in the remotest part of the world.

His album “The Thriller” is still the number one selling album in the world and that should underscore the power of his music. It was not just the music, but the way he dressed, his break dance, that famous moon walk and those white gloves that he wore were imitated by so many people around the world.  

Trying to do the moon dance was the “in-thing” and Michael made it seem so effortless and easy. At one point wearing a white glove became some kind of a fashion symbol and I remember how that white glove made it to Bollywood movies.

In the days before YouTube and instant access to content, it was TV and specifically  MTV  was our main conduit to watching the latest musical videos. And I cannot remember how many times I would wait just to watch “The Thriller” video clip and like millions of people marvel at this musical genius, who gave us literally hours and hours of happiness.Jackson made his debut as a singer as a young child. 

He was part of the Jackson Five that consisted of his siblings and managed by their father Joe Jackson. According to many reports Jackson’s childhood was not a happy one. It was as a teenager and a young adult that he made a big dent with his various albums including The Thriller. 

But in the last 10 years Jackson had been going through a lean phasea and in recent months had been working on his comeback.

Michael Jackson thank you so much for your music and the countless happy hours of music and memories that you gave so many people.   

In 2002 Ali Akbar Khan or Khan sahib as he was fondly referred to by people around him made time to do an interview that was published in Outlook magazine. While musical aficionados knew about him and appreciated his devotion and depth of knowledge, he remained unknown to the general audience, especially in India. “That is is his life story.” pointed out a follower of Khan sahib earlier today. Khan sahib’s passing away is a tragic loss to the musical world.Here is the link to page 1 and page 2 of the interview with Khan sahib.

Sarode maestro Ali Akbar Khan (April 14, 1922 – June 18, 2009) passed away in his Marin county home  at 10 pm PST on  last night June 18, 2009. He was surrounded by his family and loved ones in the final hours. For the last few years Khan sahib had been in frail health and since 2004 had been on dialysis.

The memorial service and burial of Khan sahib will be held at Mt. Tamalpais Cemetary (2500 5th Ave, San Rafael, CA 94901), Sunday, June 21st at noon. This will be followed by a gathering at the Ali Akbar College of Music.

Instead of flowers, the family asks that if you would like to help, please send send your donation to AACM for the Ali Akbar Khan Library.Some media reports have incorrectly reported that Khan sahib passed away at his Ali Akbar College of Music in San Francisco. This is incorrect.

A wonderful and gentle teacher, Khan sahib was one of the early ambassadors of Indian classical music to the western world. A frequent visitor to the US since the 1950s, Khan saheb settled down here in the 1960s and established a school for teaching Indian classical music. Located in San Rafael in Marin County, north of San Francisco, Khan sahib’s school was a magnet for musicians from all over the world.

Every evening just before 6 pm Khan sahib (video clip) would arrive at the school, and climb up the stairs to the first floor where he held his music classes. The class consisted of a mix of students with varying backgrounds and ethnicity, but they all had one thing in common: their love for music. During the break and after the class was over it was very common to find students gathered around his white upholstered chair and he would patiently listen and answer all their questions. He was a great listener with a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh.

Khan sahib leaves behind a rich legacy of his music and teachings. For the last several years Mary Khan, his wife, has been painstakingly digitizing all his recordings to be made available to the public.

In 2002 I had an opportunity of meeting and spending time with Khan sahib both at his school and his home, where he patiently answered all my questions and clarified some others.  At the initial meeting he realized that I had lot of unanswered questions, and extended an invitation to come and visit him in his home the following week He spent an afternoon answering question and sharing anecdotes. (This was before the YouTube, flip camera and smart phone.)  Later that year I attended his 80th birthday celebration, where well-known musicians (both Indian classical and western) came to pay their respect to him. The event was held at a local auditorium attended by hundreds of his followers and admirers.

May his soul rest in peace. Thank you Khan sahib for sharing your wonderful music and gift with so many people.

Bob Bogle (75), co-founder of The Ventures, the famous music group,  passed away today. Bogle along with Don Wilson formed The Ventures in the late 1950s. Their brand of music gave rise to what came to be labelled as “surf music,” and I suspect their number “Wipeout,” is a favorite song of many non-surfers. I know it is mine.

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