When South Korean culture started becoming popular globally, with the country exporting its entertainment, fashion, music and movies in a big way, they coined a term to describe it—hallyu—which, when translated, means 'Korean wave'. Indian culture has been making waves globally for years now, but we don't have a coinage for it. Now, with 'Naatu Naatu' and The Elephant Whisperers going home with the golden lady, maybe it is time to change that.
On February 25, in a strange reversal of things, it was the Koreans who tipped their hats to us, when Korean ambassador Chang Jae-bok, as well as other members of his embassy, grooved energetically to the hook of 'Naatu Naatu'. The video of the dancing diplomats got over four lakh views and thousands of likes on YouTube. The German embassy followed suit. In New Jersey recently, Tesla cars blinked their headlights to the song's beats. The likes of Steven Spielberg, Nathalie Emmanuel and Jessica Chastain were rooting for it even before it won the Oscar. For once, we had the world dancing to our tune.
The fact that a song from a Telugu blockbuster won the Oscar shows that Indian cinema is now looking past Bollywood. “There’s so much talent in the southern, Punjabi, Bengali, and other regional film industries,” says film critic Taran Adarsh. “This needs to be tapped and brought to the global stage.”
この記事は THE WEEK India の April 09, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は THE WEEK India の April 09, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Ram temple not an issue in south
Much has been said this election season about the alleged north-south divide.
Haute and sweaty
In Mumbai, where I live and work, there is a severe heatwave going on. The highest temperature this month has been 40 degrees, sweltering and humid for the coastal city.
MOVE AWAY MARY!
In many parts of the world,unique names are becoming popular
CALL OF THE WILD
Tejas Thackeray, the younger son of former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, shares his passion for wildlife conservation and photography
CEPA and beyond
Bilateral trade between the UAE and India has grown almost 16 per cent year-on-year, touching $84.5 billion
Brash and raw
When I chanced upon Raj Narain, who humbled Indira Gandhi
Lone voice of dissent
“I am keen to invite Parakala [Prabhakar] to Mumbai… What do you think? Do you know him?” A friend asked. No, I don’t know the man. And no, it is not a good idea to invite him, unless you want to invite trouble, I replied.
Modi and the Muslim syndrome
I have long been intrigued by the prime minister’s desire to hug every passing sheikh and sultan and his contrasting contempt for the ordinary Indian Muslim.
Assam Rifles not trained to guard borders; need separate force for Manipur border
Imphal is blanketed in darkness. The sun has set a little too soon in the valley, but N. Biren Singh is yet to call it a day.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE SENTINELS
Manipur government wants the Assam Rifles replaced, but the Union home ministry is focused on upgrading infrastructure and connectivity before deciding who guards the state