[icernet] That Old Feeling: Bollywood Fever

[Arul Selvan]

Things are exciting onscreen too — though in these three-hour extravaganzas
there's not much violence, no nudity, hardly any kissing. Forced to
sublimate, Bollywood taught itself to revel in full-blooded, full-throated
drama. "The formula is essentially a family epic," says Indian writer (and
Brooklyn resident) Suketu Mehta. "A family that breaks apart and then comes
together. It's also the story of Partition." The partition of India and
Pakistan, that is — but with vagrant, fragrant hope of union within
diversity. A father denounces, then tearfully embraces his son ("Kabhi
Khushi Kabhie Gham"). A group of 19th century peasants battle their Brit
overlords in a game of cricket (Lagaan, nominated for a foreign-film Oscar
in 2002). A naive media star falls in love with a terrorist (many recent
films have used this politically explosive plot device, including "Mission
Kashmir," for which Mehta collaborated on the script).

And in the midst of the starkest plot twists, everyone sings and dances.
Virtually all Bollywood films are musicals. For 60 years, they have provided
India with most of its hit songs (in effect, the movie industry is the music
industry). And not just songs — immense production numbers. Dozens of chorus
boys in leather and houris in saris frolic while the stars risk dislocating
their shoulders and display '60s-style legwork not seen in the West since
the Peppermint Lounge closed. The stars dance, but they don't sing. That's
the job of "playback singers," unseen onscreen but famous on CDs. One
playback diva, Lata Mangeshkar, has recorded some 50,000 songs in a 60-year
career. (Sinatra, you slouch!)

The Bollywood masala — savory cultural stew — restores melodrama to its
Greek-tragedy and Italian-opera roots: melody-drama, in which emotions too
deep to be spoken must be sung. Imagine Julia Roberts in "Erin Brockovich"
dancing around the utility company's lawyers while lip-synching a tune sung
by Faith Hill, and you have a hint of the divine madness that is Bollywood. 

Source:
http://www.time.com/time/sampler/printout/0,8816,459899,00.html