Away!

Sadly, blogging hasn't been a priority this year, but that is purely circumstantial. After busy season officially ended April 15, I was sucked into being part of a reverse merger audit that I wasn't scheduled on to begin with, and that, along with my other projects, life and my upcoming vacation (beginning next week), has kept me away. Also, a lot of my energies have been focused on weight loss, and so far this year I've moved from a size 14 to a happier size 10- yes I know it has to be about more than a number, but get this- with the weight loss, my usually very high blood pressure has become almost normal (down 30 pts!- yay!)- so its pretty healthy, all in all. Starting next week though, it all goes out of the window- I'm headed to scrumptious India, meeting friends and family in Delhi and travelling in Himachal- SO looking forward to being in the Dalai Lama's town! And with that comes the awful truth- as much as I'm travelling with an armful of A/B/C grade Bolly movies, I doubt I'm going to be able to blog much. So until July (when I return to home and hearth), I hope you still come by and check out the older posts, and don't forget me, despite all my lapses!

Here's to a great summer! [muah muah!]

Bolly Chandeliers

LAST UPDATED: 06/05/11

I have a thing for Bollywood Chandeliers. Heck I have a thing for all chandeliers, but since 99% of Bollywood movies have these, I play "spot the chandelier" every time I watch a movie. I've decided to share these with you, and will post all chandelier screenshots in this space (see link on side bar of page). Send me a pic if you have a fav bolly chandelier you want to share!

44. Phir Wohi Raat (That Night Again!) (1980)

Festooned and hidden, or alight in all its glory, this chandelier is tons better than the movie was!

43. Parbat Pe Anpa Dera (1944):

A socio-religeous drama from the 40s, the movie itself is typical of the time. However, the screenshots below exhibit, more than the chandelier, the really gorgeous dressing table. The huge floral mirror and its round frame are very fun, and I love the seat before it- its big enough to be a day bed! As for the chandelier, this is my favorite type: old fashioned, with maching votives ensconced on the walls. ovie o

42. Bade Dil Wala (1983): courtesy Amaluu at Bollystalgia (what a great name for a blog!). I had no idea Tina Munim loved chandeliers so much that she would serenade one of them!... 41. I hate luv storys (2010): From supercontributor Beth from Beth Loves Bollywood! I like this chandelier- its so old-time-courtesan-movie-pretty.

40. Wardat (1981): Also from Beth at Beth Loves Bollywood! If you haven't seen this movie, RUN and find a copy- its Mithun as GunmasterG9- it doesn't get any better my lovelies!

39. Anokha Rishta (1986): From Beth at Beth Loves Bollywood! Honestly, I dont like this movie- Rajesh Khanna sleazing it up with Sabiha is torturous enough, and even the chandeliers look- sad. What chandelier likes balloons and streamers tied to it anyway?

38. Indraprastham (1996): from Liz Cook. The movie stars Mammooty and Simran, but also Vikram. I like the gorgeous colors on the chandelier, and I want to see this film!

37. San Francisco (1936)

Image trolled from Getty Images. The movie focuses on the historic San Francisco earthquakes and fire- and as tragic as that is, the view from the chandelier is perfect! It isnt Bollywood, but we thrive on being inclusive :D

36. The Phantom of the Opera (1942)

Image trolled from Getty Images. The phantom is just about to cut the cord that anchors the chandelier- what will happen???!!! :O 35. Easter Parade (1936)

Image trolled from Getty Images. Fred Astaire dancing the light fantastic- under a chandelier!

34. Pappu (2010) From Louella @ the Masalawbigosie blog. Interestingly, this is one of few chandeliers that have shown up onscreen in recent times- films don't seem to feature them anymore! (whyyyy????) 33. Chunaoti (1980) From Beth @ the BethLovesBollywood blog. The 1st chandelier looks beautifully intricate; both pix make me appreciate the power of jewel-colored carpets! 32. Awargi (1990) From Sitaji @ the Bollywood Food Club. I like this movie, specially the theme song, which is a pretty good ghazal. 31. Maha Badmaash (1977) From Beth @ the BethLovesBollywood blog. These cant be merely chandeliers- they look like magic fairy gemstones to me! 30. Vikram w/ chandeliers From Louella @ the Masalawbigosie blog. We agree that they arent from a movie, but any excuses to admire that man are good in my book! The first pic is hotter I think- for both pieces of art. 29. Gharaana Mogudu (1992):

From Louella @ the Masalawbigosie blog. A Chiranjeevi movie where apparently he breaks a chandelier out of sheer misery. A broken chandelier is a sad chandelier!28. Hawas (1974):

Contributed by Memsaab @ the Memsaab blog. A red chandelier, doubtless, would look good anywhere- even improve upon an inverted Anil Dhawan! I'd relly really like to see this movie- nothing beats sex and drugs in 70s Bollywood! 27. Dayawan (1988): As suggested by Beth @ the Beth Loved Bollywood blog. Apparently this movie is full of chandeliers in pain. It is also apparent that these guys are even angrier than the previous screen cap- in their fury, they have renamed the chandelier the telephone :D

26. Dayawan (1988): As suggested by Sitaji @ The Bollywood Food Blog. Nobody should take their anger out on chandeliers, but this was an exception- it was a chande-liar! tsk tsk. 25. Patanga(1971): As suggested by Beth Loves Bollywood. There are chandeliers and then there are chandeliers, but this is a heck of a gorgeous one. 24. Hum Kissi Se Kum Nahin(1977):

As suggested by lvrplfc41. One of the many in a chandelier-filled movie. This is one film I can watch multiple times (and I have), and never be bored- despite Tariq's presence. If you havent indulged in this piece of joy, do so already!

23. Blue(2009): As suggested by Sitaji @ the Bollywood Food Club. The lights in the back are better than the chandelier, in a movie that could have been so much better than it was. Plus in this screen cap he looks like he is announcing the birth of a girl child. 22. Chor Sipahee (1979):

As suggested by Beth @ Beth Loves Bollywood. A truly villainous looking chandelier from the villain's lair, it looks like its made of huge, lighted up hanging bugs- scary! 21. Suhaag (1979): "When Chandeliers Attack!" I do hope that Shashi wasn't too hurt...

20. Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (1994):

As suggested by lvrplfc41. Its the wedding of the century disguised as a movie, and Salman brings it on an ORANGE chandelier- campy, perfect fun! This movie brought back the Rajshree banner, and injected a huge shot of opulence in Bollywood, and a wedding sequence became a necessity in most movies from mid 90s-early 2000s. 19. Beta (1992): From Hum Chale. 90s Excesses ratcheted up to the max, this was a remake of a southern cinema classic, and personally bored me to tears (must have lost a lot in translation). And yet- it featured the only exploding chandelier I've ever come across!

18. Ram Aur Shyam (1967): From Sitaji at Bollywood Food Club. The scene at the birthday where Pran properly gets his dues from Dilip Kumar, with the ongoings lighted up properly by the beautiful chandelier! Completely satisfying. 17. An Evening in Paris (1967): From Sitaji at Bollywood Food Club. A really beautiful shot from a fabulous, unforgettable movie. 16. Mehbooba (2008): From Sitaji at Bollywood Food Club. Ajay celebrates his happiness by swinging on a chandelier- you mean you don't do that every time you get the giggles as well????! 15. Trishul (1978): From Beth, the scene where Angsty Amitabh meets Sprightly Shashi and Happy Hema at a party. Tension and cuteness all in a bunch, enlightened by tons of chandeliers and lamps. Lurvely. 14. Rang Birangi (1983): From Beth, the scene where Dipti Naval goes to meet Praveen Babi, playing Amol's not-so-ill wife. I really like this shot, where Hrishikesh, known for his simplistic shots, is hinting at glamor and "high" class. And of course one has to love the voyeuristic shot by the director. 13. Koyla (1997): From Sitaji by the Bollywood Food Blog. Shahrukh dancing atop a chandelier in blackface- its actually better than it sounds! 12. Om Shanti Om (2002): As suggested by The Bollywood Fan and Junli. Personally, I think that Shahrukh's chandelier looks like a spaceship- which isn't a bad thing at all. However, I do prefer Arjun's black (or black in appearance) chandelier (2nd screencap)- I need me one of those! 11. Devdas (2002): As suggested by The Bollywood Fan. I have to agree with him that the Maar Dala song especially utterly glows with the use of chandeliers and light. Probably some of the best use of chandeliers ever. 10. The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey (2005): As suggested by The Bollywood Fan. Not the best of screencaps, but Rani mujras away to glory under a pretty fair chandelier. 9. Ram Lakhan (1989): As suggested by Sujoy. Madhuri dreams of Anil and chandeliers while singing a song. Which does she prefer? :D 8. Nagina (1986): As suggested by Sujoy. Who looks prettier w/ the chandelier? as much as I love Sridevi, I have to say its beauty offsets Amreesh's glowering anger brilliantly! 7. Kranti (1981): As suggested by Bollywooddeewana. I have seen tons of swinging with chandeliers to kill villains, but this is the first time I am witnessing a song sung on one. Utterly amazing. But since Praveen does it for Shashi's sake, it is understandable- we'd do anything for him too. 6. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999): As suggested by Darshit. Love at first chandelier- is there anything better? 5. Najma (1943): Veena in the titular role, being romanced by Ashok Kumar- good 'ol nawabi fun. 4. Pakeezah (1972): Meena's swan song, and the poster is lovely! 3. Umrao Jaan (1981): The movie poster shows just one, but the film itself abounds w/ chandeliers, symbolic of mughal opulence. 2. Karma (1986): Not only does Tom Alter join hands with Shakti to become a terrorist (from a unnamed neighboring country- ahem!), he has a preference for funky red phones, a Star of David and a chandelier as decor for their lair. Fun stuff. 1- Insaniyat (1994)- terrible movie, cool chandeliers. Notice that even the villain's lair (bottom left) has floor to ceiling chandeliers!