May 2013 marks the 100th year of Indian cinema. Raja Harishchandra was India’s first feature film that released on  May 3, 1913.  Made by Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, this silent film consisted of 4 reels and was not a big hit with the audience in the first few days. But, with some creative marketing Phalke managed to get people to come [...]

This year’s San Francisco International Film Festival (April 25-May 9, 2013) has an interesting mix of films from all over the world. Along with films the festival also features conversations with well-known filmmakers and actors, salons and master classes. On May 27th filmmaker Steven Soderbergh will give the ”State of Cinema,” and the following weekend on [...]

Shamshad Begum the legendary singer from Hindi films passed away yesterday in Mumbai.  She was 94 years old. She made her debut as a singer in 1947 and by 1949 her songs in Hindi cinema had become big hits, especially the song Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon. She continued to sing till the 1950s, and appears to have [...]

Shakuntala Devi,  mathematician and astrologer, passed away earlier today  in Bangalore. She was in her early 80′s. Often  dubbed as the “human computer,” she earned a name for herself in the Guinness Book of Records for her mathematical prowess. She wrote a number of books, including a cookbook. Like any non-mathematically inclined person from the desi community in [...]

Jonathan Winters 87, father of mprovisational comedy passed away on April 11, 2013 in his home in California. He was also an author and an artist. He originally studied to be an artist as a young man in Ohio. A brilliant comedian, he could improvise at the drop of a hat, and was a big source [...]

  Mathew Lillard has 20 years of experience in films and stage, and last year he made his directorial debut with “Fat Kid Rules The World.” The film is based on coming of age novel by K.L. Gooning. Lillard was recording for the audio edition of the book when he was drawn to the story [...]

Disconnect by Chennai-based Anupama Chandraskhar made its West Coast debut in San Jose in March 2013. The play runs through April 14th, 2013 and this is perhaps the first time that a play by an Indian playwright is being staged at the San Jose Rep. Disconnect had its American premier in Chicago. Set in a [...]

Technology, innovation and love is the theme of  Love Hacking,  a documentary by filmmaker Jenni Nelson. How do you find love in 21stc? Forget the old fashioned matchmaker or blind dates to find a partner in today’s world dominated by Internet, email, chat and Skype. These are the same tools that Silicon Valley-based Tim Heath uses [...]

Filmmakers Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam’s When Hari Got Married is a delightful documentary film. Hari is a chatty and friendly cab driver, who lives in the Himalayan town of Dharmsala, home of  the Dalai Lama. And right from the opening shot and the opening dialog Hari draws you into his world, and provides a running [...]

San Francisco bay area folks are in for a wonderful cultural treat of films, music and food att this s year’s Asian American Film Festival. The 10 day long festival starts today -March 14th and continues till March 24th, 2013. Films, music and foods are the 3 strands that bind the various Asian-American communities across [...]