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Bollywood Cinema

I was talking with my American friend about movies and she asked me which new Bollywood movie we have got in our library. When I told her the name OM SHANTI OM, she gave me a mysterious smile and told her story of OM SHANTI OM. This is the first Bollywood movie she saw on the plane, when going to New Delhi from New York, a non stop 14 hours flight. She was not able to sleep and out of sheer boredom she tuned in to the English subtitled Bollywood movie OM SHANTI OM. She used to think that Indian movies are melodramatic, silly and just song & dance drama of 3 hours – everything she dislikes in a movie. But she loved that movie and on her trip she watched some more and she was hooked. Now she is addicted to Bollywood Cinema and has seen almost all the movies that we have in our collection and what I have at home.

Some people have negative preconceptions about Indian movies but thanks in part to the Oscar Winner Slumdog Millionaire, Indian movies are catching on like crazy. It is surprising for me when patron ask for the Bollywood movies by their titles. The response to these movies is tremendous. Some Westerners find song & dance aspect of Indian movies hilarious but it is part of the grammar of Indian filmmaking. Songs are a beautiful and unique part of Bollywood movies and I’d be devastated if they vanished.

I can proudly say we started our collection of Indian Cinema in our library a long time ago and we have some of the best movies of Bollywood and other Indian filmmakers. The most notable is by director Satyajit Ray, who has a global audience. Though deeply rooted in Indian culture, his films manage to produce a universal humanistic response because it is all about human relations. I think Cinema has an amazing power to touch people across the world, in whatever language or whatever form. Eventually it is all about the human emotions.

I enjoy movies from all over the world, but yes, Bollywood films are very special because I’ve grown up watching them. They are a part of me. You laugh, you cry, feel like dancing with characters and this is the appeal of the Indian Cinema. Check out some Indian movies and tell me how was your experience of watching the Bollywood Cinema and I am sure you will fall head over heels just like my friend did.

– Manju

December 8, 2009 at 5:11 pm manjusharma1 Leave a comment

Get What You Want Right Out of the Box!

The library is constantly ordering new materials. We want to make sure we have the items in most demand, and also that we have a wide variety of topics.

Did you know that you can take a look at what’s been ordered and place holds for those items? Go to the library catalog and click on “Featured item lists” on the right-hand side. Choose the type of material you’re interested in, and off you go!

Here are some of the newest items the library has ordered. (Not all items may be available at this time.)

Books: