The Dulhan Expo is your one stop shop for wedding planning, grandiose expose’ing and an immense menu of everything colorful, decorated and tasty for your wedding.
Sumit Arya has been a part of the South Asian wedding planning arena for more than a decade now and it wasn’t until he brought vendors to the brides that South Asian women felt dazed and confused when it came to the Shaadi Arrangements.
We all know what a scene it is to try to plan a South Asian Wedding, from the circus of a guest list to the cultural implications- our weddings are a fun but long and expensive process.
Dulhan Expo is a series of Bridal Expositions designed to keep the modern South Asian Bride in mind. DulhanExpo is providing the modern day brides with advanced wedding planning venues, saving them months worth of legwork by bringing wedding service providers from all different categories under one roof.
Recently, I moved to the East Coast. Whether it was buying daal on Oak Tree Road or visiting Eid Mela’s there was one consistent theme- New Jersey had a special charm. New Jersey had the opportune luxury of being able to experience the Dulhan Expo. In the past few months there have been more than six planned in the Greater New York/New Jersey area. I knew if Thaakat wanted to get places- being a part of a successful troupe was necessary.
Dulhan Expo I thought, It’d be a dream to get a booth there. I mean besides being a part of an event that was all glitz and glamour- it would be an honor to be a part of the wedding arena’s newest tradition.
I sent Sumit a casual message not knowing if I should expect anything and lo and behold a few weeks later I was awarded a booth. It was a wonderful show, we gained many contacts and we finally met the mega planner.
Since then, Sumit has been wonderfully amiable and has reached out to Thaakat several times. We are honored to have been provided the opportunity and are ecstatic to see what the troupe conquers next. From RDB shows, to modern mandaps, freebies and food tastings, Dulhan expo is a production you don’t want to miss. Visit www.dulhanexpo.com for more information!
By: Uzma Bawany/Thaakat Foundation
The Dulhan Expo is your one stop shop for wedding planning, grandiose expose’ing and an immense menu of everything colorful, decorated and tasty for your wedding.
Sumit Arya has been a part of the South Asian wedding planning arena for more than a decade now and it wasn’t until he brought vendors to the brides that South Asian women felt dazed and confused when it came to the Shaadi Arrangements.
We all know what a scene it is to try to plan a South Asian Wedding, from the circus of a guest list to the cultural implications- our weddings are a fun but long and expensive process.
Dulhan Expo is a series of Bridal Expositions designed to keep the modern South Asian Bride in mind. DulhanExpo is providing the modern day brides with advanced wedding planning venues, saving them months worth of legwork by bringing wedding service providers from all different categories under one roof.
Recently, I moved to the East Coast. Whether it was buying daal on Oak Tree Road or visiting Eid Mela’s there was one consistent theme- New Jersey had a special charm. New Jersey had the opportune luxury of being able to experience the Dulhan Expo. In the past few months there have been more than six planned in the Greater New York/New Jersey area. I knew if Thaakat wanted to get places- being a part of a successful troupe was necessary.
Dulhan Expo I thought, It’d be a dream to get a booth there. I mean besides being a part of an event that was all glitz and glamour- it would be an honor to be a part of the wedding arena’s newest tradition.
I sent Sumit a casual message not knowing if I should expect anything and lo and behold a few weeks later I was awarded a booth. It was a wonderful show, we gained many contacts and we finally met the mega planner.
Since then, Sumit has been wonderfully amiable and has reached out to Thaakat several times. We are honored to have been provided the opportunity and are ecstatic to see what the troupe conquers next. From RDB shows, to modern mandaps, freebies and food tastings, Dulhan expo is a production you don’t want to miss. Visit www.dulhanexpo.com for more information!
____________________________________________________________________________________ Aaja Aaja Mera Ranjhna
Movie: Dulha Mil Gaya ____________________________________________________________________________________ Akela Dil
Movie: Dulha Mil Gaya ____________________________________________________________________________________ Alisha
Movie: Pyaar Impossible ____________________________________________________________________________________ 10 on 10
Movie: Pyaar Impossible ____________________________________________________________________________________ You and Me
Movie: Pyaar Impossible ____________________________________________________________________________________ Aal Izz Well
Movie: 3 idiots ____________________________________________________________________________________ Pocket Mein Rocket
Movie: Rocket Singh ____________________________________________________________________________________
I used to dance regularly at a local Moroccan restaurant. Sadly, the restaurant has since gone through a drastic remodel, so it has entirely lost its charm, but I love thinking back to the nights I danced there. The entire atmosphere was spectacular: the walls draped with rich fabrics in red and green and blue, trimmed in gold and silver; the Moroccan lamps hanging from the ceiling, casting a gentle candlelight glow through the colored glass on the dining room; the low couches and chairs, softly cushioned; the mosaic tile and wrought iron tables. All of it was stunning, colorful, delightful. The air was filled with a rich scent, combining the exotic spices in the food and the subtle aroma of burning incense. The lights were always dim, giving the room a calm, mysterious, exotic feel.
Though it was incredibly difficult dancing through the narrow aisles between the tables (and around waiters, at that), the whole experience was a lot of fun. Between the atmosphere and the music and being in costume, it felt like being transported to another world for a few hours. Although, the first time I danced there, it was a bit awkward being quite that up-close and personal with the audience, since I was so accustomed to performing on a stage in front of hundreds of people at a time. Still, the restaurant gave a more intimate, interactive experience for the diners, and that was a huge part of the appeal of the establishment. It’s really a shame they had to destroy it.
At the back of the restaurant was a slightly recessed alcove in which was set a long, low couch, in front of which was a wide table. This was the dancers’ table, and we got to sit there between sets, nibbling on hummus and pita bread while playing zills and zaghareeting for the other dancers (a zaghareet is the high-pitched ululation that you hear bellydancers give while others are dancing; it’s essentially a vocal applause, and not as raucous as the kind of cheering holler you’d give at something like a rock concert). The restaurant didn’t pay us to dance there, but we did get free dinner and all the pita bread and Moroccan tea we could consume (not to mention the tips we got from the diners). The Moroccan tea was pretty much the highlight of the evening for us. The waiter would bring out a tray holding a teapot and a set of Moroccan tea glasses, and would lift the teapot high above the glasses as he poured. There was a bit of a competition always going on among the waiters to see who could get the pot the highest without making a mess — which led to a round of very exuberant zaghareets from the dancers whenever one did a particularly impressive job.
Moroccan tea glasses are lovely: the rich colors, the intricate patterns, the lovely detail. The tea is also wonderful. Very sweet, so it was the quickest, easiest way to get us amped up for a long night of dancing. It’s like instant energy — down one small glass of tea, and only a moment later you’re jumping up to dance energetically, feeling the music and grinning as you move among the tables. Truly fantastic.
If sources are to be believed, Trisha could soon turn into an hotelier. The film star is apparently not just content with the way her career has been shaping up but also wants to turn into an entrepreneur. Trisha’s father Krishnan, who has ample experience in the hotel industry, will administer the star hotel, we hear.
And guess where the star hotel will be? Well, this time it is not Chennai, but Trisha’s hotspot Hyderabad.
It being Dilip Kumar’s birthday last week, I decided to watch a movie of his. Though I watched it on Saturday (12th Dec), I didnt have time to put it up here till now.
Dilip Kumar and Meena Kumari come together in this hilarious flick directed by S U Sunny- a true fairy-tale. There’s a prince, a princess, a villian and lots of fights. They both look so good throughout. Music by Naushad is very melodious. Dilip Kumar went on to bag a filmfare ward for Best Actor once again for his role as Rajkumar Dhivendra Pratap Bahadur Chandrabhan.
Maharaj Dhiraj Rana Chandrabhan of Kailash Nagar is long dead and Deevan Veer Singh has been taking care of the kingdom all this while.
On the occasion of Holi, Deevan addresses the crowd announcing the coronation of Rajkumar Dhivendra Pratap Bahadur Chandrabhan (Dilip Kumar) the following month.
Rajkumar, however, is not present during the announcement and Deewan mentions that he should have been there. Also says that this is the last time he’s addressing the crowd. From now on, their would-be king would take over.
This is when our crown prince makes his entry carrying his pet mongoose on his shoulder.
On being asked by Deevan he says he was delayed because of his pet and goes on to add that animals are more loyal than humans.
Deewan’s wife, whom Rajkumar calls chachi (Leela Chitnis), is extremely fond of him and has brought him up like her own son, Surinder (on extreme right. I dont know what his real name is).
Everybody is happy about Rajkumar’s coronation and is busy cheering up for him when his mongoose, sets itself free and runs away creating a havoc (must see the girls creaming and running, it’s very funny).
Chachi wants Rajkumar to get married to Rajkumari Chandramukhi (Meena Kumari) of Rajgarh and has sent her an invitation to come for Rajkumar’s coronation the following month. When Surinder tells Rajkumar about Chandramukhi he desont seem all that interested. But is smitten when he sees a picture of her and says he’s so happy that he actually feels like playing holi.
And there plays holi in Kailash Nagar and Chandramukhi plays in Rajgarh, singing the same song Tan ranglo ji. Her Senapati (Jeevan) likes her but she just cant stand him.
The Maharaja of Rajgarh is pleased about the proposal from Kailashnagar. But he is ill himself and when Chandramukhi comes to give him his medicine, he tells her about the invitation for Rajkumar’s coronation and also about the proposal.
He shows her a picture of Rajkumar that chachi has sent and asks his daughter to set forth to Kailash Nagar. She falls in love with him almost immediately (and how could she not?).
Senapati says it’s not safe for her to go along and that he would accompany her but she refuses and starts for Kailash Nagar with the rest of the army.
In the meantime, there’s a murder being plotted in Kailash Nagar. Deewan wants to kill Rajkumar, so that his son, Surinder can sit on the throne. He trains a very poisonous snake to kill him.
Every year artists come from various places to showcase their talents (singing, dancing). Rajlakshmi (Kumkum) is one of them. She comes from a village nearby.
She comes to a gathering headed by Maharaj (that’s what everybody calls him, I guess he is the music guru) to show her performance.
Rajlakshmi has come here to dance, so Maharaj tells the musicians present there to play music but they refuse saying they wont play for someone so young (as though it’s a disgrace).
Rajkumar comes forwards saying he would play as well as sing for her. Though reluctant at first, she agrees to dance to his tune after he challenges her. And finally we come to Madhuban mein radhika naache re . When Rajkumar is busy singing, Deewan’s people come and leave the snake there but before it can do anything, Rajkumar’s pet mongoose comes and kills the snake.
Chachi and Surinder are shocked to know that someone wants to kill Rajkumar and they ask him to be extra careful. Same night, Rajkumar is attacked again while he’s sleeping.
But he fights and they run away. He knows Deewan’s behind all these attacks. So he goes and confronts him. Deewan vehemently denies the accusations against him. And while he keeps Rajkumar occupied in a conversation, he signals his people to attack him again. Luckily Rajkumar sees them in the mirror and fights back. He finally tells Deewan that he’s leaving the kingdom and going. In his own words “Agar bhagwan ke ghar mein nyaya hai toh kisi din aap yehi taaj mere sar pe dekhenge” (if there’s justice, then you’ll see this crown on me someday)
Deewan’s still not happy. He wants Rajkumar dead at any cost. So he sends his people to kill Rajkumar and bring his deadbody back. So they follow him. When they witness him falling off a cliff, they take it for granted he is dead and his deadbody cant be found. Thus, they return back to the palace.
Rajkumar manages to pull himself back and goes in search of a place to stay overnight. He finally finds a place and asks if he can spend the night there but is refused, reason being Rajkumari Chandramukhi, who’s is halting there on her way to Kailash Nagar.
Knowing that Chandramukhi is there, he cant bring himself to leave the place without meeting her.
Next three screencaps will tell you all what he does next :
Yup, he chops Tuntun’s hair, makes a beard out of it and goes to Chandramukhi disguised as a Sadhu Maharaj!!! When Tuntun appears, terrified about losing her hair, Sadhu Maharaj says she must have committed some sin and that’s what she’s being punished for. Not just that, he gives her the silliest remedy ever :
Sadhu Maharaj : Jao 6 mahine tak apne bache-khuse baalon mein kale ghode ki doom baandh ke rakho (Go and tie a black horse’s tail to your hair for 6 months)
Chandramukhi : Safed ghode ki dum nahin chalegi, Maharaj? (Wont white horse’s tail do?) Sadhu Maharaj : Nahin Rajkumari. Kale ghode ki dum mein jo kartavya hai woh safed ghode ki doom mein avashya nahin hai (whatever that’s supposed to mean!!! I cant even think of translating it )
Anyways, he tells Chandramukhi that if she goes to a place that he tells her at a particular time, she’ll get to meet Rajkumar Dhivendra.
Excited about meeting her prince charming, she goes and they sing Do sitaron ka zameen par (it’s more of a hide-and-seek song, he tries to hide, conceal himself behind trees and bushes while she goes searching for him).
When they finally face each other at the end of the song (oh check the curls on her forehead), she goes running to her room and stands infront of a mirror (wonder if she was checking how she looked?)
But, alas, she hardly gets few seconds to admire herself, she’s abducted by her Senapati’s men. Hearing her scream Rajkumar follows them and manages to rescue her safe and sound singing Koi pyaar ki dekhe jaadugari. This entires sequence of abduction, following and rescue is totally crazy and hilarious.
They are totally lost in each other when Senapati’s people attack them again. They lock Rajkumar in a hut and set it on fire first, then take Chandramukhi and go.
His horse however saves him. Rajlakshmi finds him on the horseback, injured and unconscious. She nurses him back to good health and falls in love with him during the process
They both perform to Jaadugar qatil after he recovers.
He learns that Rajkumari Chandramukhi is held captive by Senapati in a fort. So he sets forth to set her free.
When Chandramukhi tries to kill herself, Senapati decides to call people to sing and dance in order to entertain her. And our Sangeetkar Maharaj Kohinoor (Rajkumar Dhivendra in disguise, check out his beard) makes his entry into the fort singing Zara man ki kewadiya khol
After the initial qualms, finally when Chandramukhi recognizes him, she listens to him and follows his instructions. And when she sings Dil mein baji pyar ki shehnaiyan, Senapati beleives that Chandramukhi is slowly falling in love with him.
Check out her curls again!!! (no no I’m not obsessed with her curls, at least not yet ). To convince Senapati that Chandramukhi has totally forgotten Rajkumar, they sing a duet Chalenge teer jab dil par. But during all this drama, Sangeetkar Maharaj Kohinoor’s real identity is revealed and he’s is captured.
Held in chains, he’s blinded by a vengeful Rajlaxmi.
Chandramukhi, prisoned herself, sings Yeh kya zindagi hai . She’s left with no choice, either marry Senapati or witness the death of her blind Rajkumar.
What will she do? Will she marry Senapati to save Rajkumar’s life? And will Senapati leave him alive either ways? What are Rajlakshmi’s true intentions? And what happens to Kailash Nagar? Was it only Deevan plotting Rajkumar’s murder or was the entire family into it?
If for nothing else, at least for eye candy (both Dilip and Meena look amazing), the film’s worth watching! And trust me Dilip is at his mischievious best! First half is extremely entertaining. Second half is full of drama and sacrifices and a death. But it’s still fun and a must-watch.
Oops, I almost forgot this scene where Dilip becomes Jeevan’s mirror image – it’s a total laughter riot!
The Dulhan Expo is your one stop shop for wedding planning, grandiose expose’ing and an immense menu of everything colorful, decorated and tasty for your wedding. 
Dulha Mil Gaya
Alisha
Aal Izz Well
Pocket Mein Rocket
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