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culture. lifestyle. morals.


no time to be neutral // an informational on net neutrality.

11/28/2017

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VINAY & RAGINI- Imagine going into an AT&T store to purchase a new internet plan. On top of the base price, the employee offers you several bundles you can buy, similar to the way cable companies add on extra channels. One bundle allows you access to social media sites so you can update Facebook/Twitter/WhatsApp, one is for video services if you want to stream Netflix/Hulu/YouTube, and one is for major news sites if you want to stay informed about the world. Without purchasing all of these bundles separately, your access to these websites will be blocked. Unfortunately, net neutrality, the only thing protecting us from such an expensive reality, could potentially disappear.

Net neutrality is basically a set of rules that were specifically put into place to stop internet service providers (ISPs) from denying or regulating the speed of service based on content type, provider, or any other arbitrary categorization. Right now, the internet is labeled a public utility, so ISPs cannot control the speed or amount of internet traffic that is demanded by the customer or provided by the web based service. This means that if I have a plan with Verizon that gives me an internet speed of 75 mbps, I can watch Netflix, check Twitter, or Google pictures of fluffy puppies and expect all of these pages to load at a certain speed. If net neutrality is abolished, Verizon could charge me extra for using what they feel is too much data on Netflix, force me to buy a separate social media package to browse Twitter, or block Google altogether and only allow me access to Yahoo!, which they own.

On a personal level, every single internet user should care about net neutrality. Not only does it protect you from paying more for slower service, it also allows you to see the content you want to see without companies interfering and only displaying results beneficial to them. This level of censorship is not some dystopian future I’m making up; it has already happened multiple times in the recent past. Back in 2006, AOL blocked emails containing links to dearaol.com, a website containing criticism of the company. More recently, Verizon disallowed a pro-choice group from sending text notifications to their subscribers. These are not isolated incidents, nor are these the only companies to tailor their services to their own whims. Since 2005, major service providers have been showing us exactly what they would do without the open internet, and if net neutrality is ended next month, we can only expect more and more of the same.

Take a moment to think about this censorship on a broader scope. The internet is not just a source of entertainment. It is a database that serves to educate thousands of people about thousands of topics every day, a place where anyone can share their story and have the potential to be heard. Minority content creators who would never have gotten any attention through conventional means are finally able to have a voice. People are able to educate themselves on issues like racism or LGBT+ and women’s rights. Voters are able to learn about issues from unbiased, factual sources, and stories that the mainstream media tries to suppress are going viral on Twitter. Major stories which were being hidden for years are being exposed, such as the sexual assault allegations against politicians and actors. In a future with no net neutrality, voices of the groups that are starting to be heard will once again be silenced, and the people in power will once again be protected from defamation and any real consequences.

While most people regardless of their political party are in favor of net neutrality, the policy does have its critics. One of the main arguments is that an open internet policy is against the principles of free market. As with the censorship issue, the companies that stand to profit the most from the demise of net neutrality have already shown us how they would handle themselves if left to their own devices. Google had a project in which they were trying to provide free wifi up to a certain speed across the US. Verizon and AT&T saw the beginning of this project, realized that it would mean nobody would buy their internet plans, and lobbied to stop Google’s program. If these companies are allowed to go unchecked, they will work to monopolize the internet and no new ideas or businesses will be able to prevail amongst them, clearly going against the principles of free market. If you’re curious as to other reasons people may oppose net neutrality, check out this link with some common concerns along with explanations as to why they are not correct. Net neutrality helps every internet user, and its removal will only benefit the people in charge of the ISPs; these millionaires will continue to get richer and richer while throwing the rest of us under the bus.

The government is bringing back the net neutrality vote time and time again in hopes that the public will tire out and eventually they will be able to do as they please. It is up to us to show them that we will not back down. Depending on how much time and effort you are willing to put in, there are several ways you can help in this fight. For people with just a few moments to spare, Battle for the Net is a user-friendly website that provides a pre-written email followed by a script for phone calls. All you have to do is take 30 seconds (seriously, I timed it) to enter your information and the website takes care of the rest. You can also text RESIST to 50409 or add resistbot on Facebook Messenger and have it message your officials for you in under two minutes. If you don’t mind crafting your own messages, send a few emails to Ajit Pai, Michael O’Rielly, and Brendan Carr. Out of the five Federal Communications Commission (FCC) members voting on net neutrality on December 14, these are the three who plan to vote against it. If we can convince even one of them to change their mind, the vote will be shifted in favor of saving net neutrality. They can be reached at ajit.pai@fcc.gov, mike.orielly@fcc.gov, and brendan.carr@fcc.gov. Finally, for the passionate internet-lovers with time to spare, there are protests happening at Verizon stores across the nation on December 7. Make some signs and bring your friends - just remember to be courteous to the employees. Chances are they hate this whole situation just as much as you do. When net neutrality was first established, what convinced the FCC to approve it was the millions of messages they received from the public in support of an open internet. Now that it is once again in peril, we must work together to protect the internet as we know it. If you use the internet, this issue affects you. So please spread the word and take action — before it’s too late.

illustration credit: themoskabot
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thanks-giving back.

11/23/2017

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GARAMASALAS EDITORS- These days, it’s easy to look around at the world and feel disheartened by what you see. With the current social and political climate, people worldwide are feeling hopeless. Among these dark, dark clouds, what better day to look for silver linings than Thanksgiving? Today is a day to stop and think about what you do have rather than what you don’t. It’s a day to look at your circumstances and be grateful for the people and things that bring joy and love into your life.

​Not everyone has all — or any — of the things many of us take for granted, like our families, friends and health. For those of you who are fortunate enough to have the extra time and/or money, the Garamasalas staff urges you to consider giving back this season and brightening the day of someone who is in a position less favorable than yours. We’ve created a list of acts of kindness that is versatile enough for everyone to choose at least one or two and help spread the love today. ​​
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  1. Smile and say hello to a stranger you pass by.
  2. Give a genuine compliment to a cashier or server.
  3. Put a surprise note in a loved one’s bag.
  4. Pay for the person behind you in a drive-thru.
  5. Write a small letter to your parents telling them how much you appreciate them.
  6. Hold the door for the people behind you.
  7. Make cards for soldiers or people in the hospital.
  8. Call someone you know who’s having a hard time and just listen to them for as long as they’d like.
  9. Tell someone face-to-face how much they mean to you.
  10. Make blankets to donate to hospitals or homeless shelters.
  11. Cook a meal or do a load of laundry for a loved one who’s going through a tough time
  12. Let the person behind you at the supermarket checkout with one or two items go ahead of you.
  13. Volunteer or donate to a food bank.
  14. Put sticky notes with positive messages on the mirrors in restrooms.
  15. Play board games with senior citizens at a nursing home (sixty percent of them will never have a visitor during their stay).
  16. Give someone who's crying in public a tissue, and offer to listen to them if they’re comfortable with it.
  17. Tell a customer service rep that you appreciate their hard work and hope they have a wonderful day.
  18. Compliment someone in front of others.
  19. Create a playlist for someone you care about.
  20. Apologize to someone with whom you don’t get along.
  21. Say yes at the store when the cashier asks if you want to donate $1 to a cause.
  22. Give a hug to someone you know and just say thank you.
  23. Call your mom.
  24. Gather some friends and pick up trash along a particularly litter-filled street in your town.
  25. Make a little extra food as you’re cooking and share it with someone who needs a fresh meal.​

​If you’re searching for food to share, look no further! Each member of the Garamasalas team has shared their favorite Thanksgiving recipe for you to enjoy.
madeline's stuffing
​This signature stuffing recipe comes from Madeline's great-grandmother and has been passed down through her family for generations. It stems from the belief that the turkey isn't the only thing that makes Thanksgiving great. 
praneeka's stuffed tandoori chicken
Every year Praneeka’s family makes traditional Thanksgiving dishes with an Indian twist. In place of the traditional turkey, try out their aloo-stuffed chicken this year! For more of her adapted recipes, check out our previous Thanksgiving post.
shail's paneer tikka masala
Non-veg recipes not your style? Try Shail’s family paneer tikka masala. One of the richest vegetarian recipes in Indian cuisine, this timeless favorite is sure to satisfy even the pickiest of palates.
ragini's ladoos
On auspicious days, it is customary in Indian culture to distribute sweets among family, friends, and strangers. Most often, the sweets being shared are bite-sized spheres made of fried gram flour called ladoos. Make a batch at home and share the love! ​

​This year, the Garamasalas staff is thankful for all of you. Every click, every view, every share means so much to us. We couldn't do this without your continued support. Thank you, and happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours. 

illustration credit: debracartwright
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not your costume // cultural appropriation on halloween.

10/26/2017

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RAGINI-​ At long last, it’s almost time for the greatest holiday of the year. Whether you’re a fan of the dangerous decorations and sinister scares or just like dressing up as your favorite character and collecting as much candy as possible, Halloween is a day when everyone can find a way to have fun. Unfortunately, often this fun comes at the expense of people who already face persecution the other 364 days of the year. Many costumes range from insensitive to just flat out racist, like this year’s particularly popular “Mexican and Wall” duo costume. While I understand that without an understanding of certain cultural backgrounds it could be hard to understand why exactly some costumes are disrespectful, immigration officers and the border wall are tearing families apart, separating parents from children, and it’s hard to justify making a mockery of something that painful. If you don’t understand why blatantly making fun of people based on their country of origin, religion, or skin color is wrong, there’s not much I can say that will convince you to change your mind. However, if you genuinely don’t know why culturally appropriative costumes are wrong, hopefully by the end of this post you’ll understand why we minorities aren’t so fond of them.

The most obvious reason that racist and appropriative costumes are wrong is that they take sacred items and icons with thousands of years of cultural significance behind them and reduce them to a fashion statement, or even worse, a joke. Take, for example, the Sexy Indian costume. In Native American culture, each tune, bead, and feather has a purpose. Yet, people continue to dress up in feathered headdresses and tan, beaded dresses purely for aesthetic purposes, and yodel poorly to ridicule traditional Native songs. To make matters worse, many of these outfits for women feature short skirts and cleavage. Having this as the only representation of Native Americans causes more damage than you’d think; this overly sexualised view of Native women contributes to the reason that their rates of sexual assault are over double the national average. Even though wearing such traditional garments may seem trivial to outsiders, they have meaning and culture behind them and are not meant to be worn willy-nilly just for looks.

For the most part, there are two reasons people wear racially-inspired Halloween costumes. Some dress up as a “Suicide Bomber” or an Anne Frank-Hitler duo simply to turn real people into the butt of some sort of extremely inappropriate joke. Many others, however, wear culturally appropriative clothing for Halloween thinking that they are exempt from its offensiveness because they are familiar with the culture whose attire they are donning. What they fail to realise is that going on a mission trip in Africa or visiting China on a family vacation does not give them permission to use apparel from that country as a fashion statement. As an Indian woman, I see this sort of justification far too often. I’ve seen women who visited India once on a spiritual journey to find themselves, or took one yoga class 4 years ago, believe that they are entitled to wear Ganesh leggings or shirts featuring the very holy Hindu Om sign. First of all, if these people really loved and understood our culture the way they claim to, they’d understand why wearing religious insignias on their bodies is so disrespectful and refrain from misusing such sacred imagery. Second, many times these “appreciative, culturally aware” folks compliment my mehndi and bangles, and then in the very next sentence praise Trump for his travel ban, which forbids people who look like me from entering this country.

These types of appropriators “love the culture, but hate the people.” They pick and choose parts of the attire and cuisine to enjoy, but they will never know the struggles that come with being a part of whatever group they are trying to emulate. They apply henna and wear bindis, but don’t want to be mocked for their accents. They sport blackface and dreads, but don’t want the n-slur hurled at them as they walk down the street. They put on ponchos and fake mustaches, but don’t want to be told to go back to their country. They want the cute, Instagram-able aspects of PoC life, but not the ugly, harsh truths that come with being a minority in America. At the end of the day, they are able to take off the makeup, the costumes, the accessories, and go back to living a life of privilege. People of color do not have that luxury. We have to deal with racism, on both individual and institutional levels, every day of our lives.

No matter the intent, appropriative and racist costumes do more harm than good. When something has so many cons, it’s best to just let it go, especially when there’s a plethora of incredible, scary, funny, pretty, creative costumes to choose from. Every Halloween we must do our best to remind our friends, family, and acquaintances that people of color are not a joke. We are not a fashion statement. We are not a commodity. And we are definitely not your costume.

illustration credit: uppityfemale
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the best of both worlds.

8/15/2017

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RAGINI- Growing up, I watched as many saas-bahu serials as I did Disney Channel shows. My iPod was an even mix of Jesse McCartney and Sonu Nigam. Both pizza and daal-chawal were staple foods in my household. Fortunately, my peers were very accepting for the most part, so I was never made to feel inferior for my background or culture. Because of this, I never felt the need to hide or suppress my desi heritage; instead, I flaunted it. As a childhood diva, I eagerly awaited World Week in school so I could show off my lehenga cholis, and I raised my hand more than usual every year around the festival of Karva Chauth so everyone could see the mehendi designs on my hands. In a school full of white students, I was the token Indian girl, the unofficial authority on all things South Asia.

Because I was so in touch with North Indian culture, I was ecstatic to finally see the real deal after eleven years last fall when my dad and I made plans to visit four Indian cities over the course of three weeks. Along with excitement though, I felt a hint of insecurity. Here in the US, my heritage was my defining quality, my unique thing, often even among my Indian friends. I was afraid that in my homeland, I wouldn’t be considered Indian enough. My suspicions were confirmed the moment I stepped off the plane as the relatives welcoming us at the airport spoke to me in English rather than Hindi. This continued throughout the trip as people made special arrangements for me, like making sure I had bottled or filtered water and providing me with utensils for dishes usually meant to be eaten with one’s hands.

From shopkeepers to family members, my behavior surprised everyone I interacted with. When I greeted elders by touching their feet and saying pranam rather than giving them a ‘sup nod, spoke to waiters in Hindi instead of English, and offered to show family friends the classical dance I was teaching back home in Dallas, it caught everyone off guard. No one expected a girl brought up in America to be so familiar with Indian customs or have such an adequate grasp on the language (listen, my Hindi was impressive for a US citizen, but that still doesn’t mean it was great). It was clear that I was out of my element in India, but it was not nearly as foreign to me as everyone had seemed to expect.

August 15 is a very special date to me because it’s the day that I celebrate my native country’s independence as well as my own. On this day in 1947, India was freed from the British, and in 1998 my mother and I made the journey from India to the United States. Although I left India at a young age, my parents spent my formative years instilling traditional Indian values and a love of my culture in me. Because I’m not just American and I’m not just Indian, it’s easy to feel like an outsider in both countries sometimes. However, I don’t think that’s a bad thing. It’s the blending of the values of both of my countries that has made me the unique individual I am today.
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thand rakh thursday // chill summer jams.

6/21/2017

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PRANEEKA, RAGINI, & SHIVANI- Summer is the most anticipated time of the year, and it's officially here! For many, the season brings with it an opportunity to take a break from working and just relax. It's a time to sit by the pool, sip lemonade, and spend time with friends. These playlists are for chill days like those. Whether you're lying in a hammock, reading a book by the lake, or just staying in, these songs are here to help you unwind.
PRANEEKA & SHIVANI- tamil playlist // note: yelani is a tamil word for tender coconut water.

yelani from praneekam on 8tracks Radio.

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RAGINI- hindi playlist // note: lassi is a popular indian yogurt-based drink.

lassi. from praneekam on 8tracks Radio.

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(best) F・R・I・E・N・D・S // in honor of national best friend's day!

6/8/2017

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MADELINE- Long-distance friendships are far easier than they used to be. Forty years ago, if you wanted to stay in touch with someone who lived far away, you were restricted to phone calls and hand-written letters that are considered personal and cute now, but were strictly practical back then.

But with the advent of cell phones and texting, and, more recently, video chatting, Snapchat, and Facebook, you can Skype your friend in California who wants to show off her new dress, and you can see what your friend from Toronto had for breakfast on his Snapchat story. Everything is so up close and personal - we can share the most minute details of our lives with people halfway across the world. It seems that it would be easy to keep up with a friend who lives far away.

So why is it still so hard? If you graduate and stop seeing someone every day, or someone moves away, you'll probably still drift apart from them, even if you can see pictures of them on Snapchat drinking a low-fat cappuccino while they highlight their Bible in random places. It's true that technology has made long-distance friendships infinitely easier in some ways, but in others, it seems just as difficult as it was back in the olden days. How do people do it?

To answer this question, we've decided to compile a series of interviews between two pairs of long-distance friends: Shail and Praneeka, and Patrick and Ragini.

SHAIL-

Q: When did you meet?

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A: Praneeka and I met in the eighth grade thanks to the lovely Ms. Gutierrez, our Spanish 1 Pre-AP teacher.

Q: How did you meet?

A:  Well, Ms. Gutierrez often had these exercises in which she’d have people get up and recite a few words from the screen. During one of these, the girl next to me, Praneeka, butchered one of the words, and I have given her a hard time ever since. As for when I first saw her, it was the second day of class. The first day I was too focused on finding an available seat and finishing my assignments. I must say, poking her on her back and teasing her was by far one of the best memories I have of middle school. She didn’t seem to like it very much.

Q: Where do you each live?

A: I attend the University of Texas at San Antonio, and Praneeka goes to the University of Texas at Dallas. As for when we’re home, Praneeka lives in Dallas; I live in Houston.

Q: Do you have any distinct nicknames for each other?

A: Oh my gosh, yes. PRASNEAKERS.

Q: What’s your favorite memory together?

A: Surprising the hell out of her after 4 years of never seeing each other. Actually, I still remember the first time we facetimed after about 2 years of just texting. I talked about outfits. It was so spontaneous.

Q: How did it affect your friendship when you separated? Did it put a strain on your relationship?

A: To be honest, this question highlights the significance of the relationship Praneeka and I have. Meaning, distance strained our relationship so much that - at one given point - we were no more than mere acquaintances. Feelings of animosity resonated between us. She felt that I wasn’t putting enough effort into our friendship, and I felt that this was an unfair judgement as I’ve never really been one to text all too frequently. A lesson I’ve learned from this is that it’s in the most desperate, dark, shattered moments that we come to realize who we truly are. From there, we build, mold, adjust, adapt, and shine ever so brightly. So yes. At one given point, we were barely friends. But now we’ve struck our balance, and I don’t see her ever being anything less than my best friend.

Q: How do you make time to keep in touch?

A: HA. I suck at this. The thing is, I didn’t. At first, especially. Now, she’s become such an integral aspect of my life that I don’t have to “make” time for her. She’s a huge part of it. Whenever I’m overly stressed, she’s my go-to. Perhaps I have something to get off my chest; there she is. If I’m excited and don’t know who to tell - what better option than my best friend? Keeping in touch is never a burden anymore and I love that about our friendship now.

Q: You’ve been friends for a long time. Do you feel like you know everything about each other or are there still things left to discover?

A: Disregarding the fact that I’m a horrible friend and often forget the simplest of things, I will never stop discovering things about Praneeka Raman. From the way she sees the world to the hobbies she pursues, she’s a dynamic woman who simply has more depth to her than the mind can comprehend.

Q: Do you have any advice for people worried about losing touch with their friends who are moving?

A: Make. Time. For. Them. I hated it, and you probably do, too, but it’s an important part of maintaining a healthy friendship. Genuinely take care of them. Facetime them (texting sucks). Is it their birthday? Write a letter (yes, a physical one using actual pen and paper) to them. Perhaps it’s your friend-anniversary. Celebrate it! Don’t have one? Make one up! Just continue to show them the love and care they deserve. Friends truthfully keep us grounded and sane. Without them, the world would crush us. OH, side note: Snapchat doesn’t necessarily count.

Q: In one line, addressing your best friend, say something you’ve always wanted to tell them.

A: A million lines would not be enough to express what I have to say to her, so how can one? Alas, I shall try. Praneeka, imagine the weight of a thousand worlds, and you’ll have an idea as to how much influence and significance your word has on my life. Thank you.
PRANEEKA-

Q: When did you meet?

A: Shail and I met in the beginning of 8th grade and have been friends ever since.

Q: How did you meet?

A: We technically met on the first day of the infamous Señora Gutierrez’s Spanish I class. Our teacher said we could choose our seats because she was heavily against the idea of assigned seating. My friends and I conveniently grouped together in one area of the classroom, but there was one empty seat next to me. Mrs. Gutierrez began class rambling in Spanish as an attempt to wow us with “the power of language.” She was in the middle of a sentence that, at the time, was nonsensical to us when Shail loudly opened the door. Since he was late and there weren’t many open seats in the room, he quickly chose to sit at the vacant desk right next to me. Since then, what started as a series of forced interactions practicing mediocre Spanish has now become one of the best friendships of my life.

Q: Where do you each live?

A: I live in Dallas and currently study at UTD. Shail used to live in Dallas as well, but he later moved to Houston and now goes to UTSA.

Q: Do you have any distinct nicknames for each other?

A: It’s so hard to make an original nickname for this boy! Shimmy, Jimbo, Jimbotron, Jimbalaya, Jimothy, Jimmy Neutron...just to name a few. (I have many more, but he just doesn’t know about them hehe.)

Q: What’s your favorite memory together?

A: I actually have two favorite memories. First one: with the help of my other best friend Ragini, he coordinated a surprise visit to see me for the first time in four years. It was on the day of my hardest final, so I was very emotionally drained, but he made me feel better instantly. We had only kept up with each other through text and Snapchat for years, but our relationship honestly didn’t feel real until this day. Second one is kind of a continuous memory: every year we try to send long and sentimental messages/letters on each others’ birthdays. Because of school and other commitments, it’s hard for us to keep in touch, so this is the one time of year we can just put everything out there. I don’t know if I can speak for Shail, but it’s something I look forward to every year. We’ve successfully done this for five consecutive years, and hopefully we can keep the tradition going!

Q: How did it affect your friendship when you separated? Did it put a strain on your relationship?

A: When Shail and I were becoming friends in the beginning of our 8th grade year, he warned me not to get too close because he was moving to Houston in the summer. However, we naturally spent a lot of time getting to know each other and became close friends. Summer came and he had to move, which was devastating for me. We didn’t know if we would be able to see each other again and if our friendship would even last. Our fears did become a reality for a while; we never actually saw each other in person during the entirety of our high school career. We attempted to text, snap, and call whenever we got the chance, but I was still scared that we would drift apart someday due to the distance. At one point I felt like I was forcing a friendship between us because I would text him too much and I wouldn’t get any sort of reply. Communication got difficult at times, which caused misunderstandings. We momentarily drifted apart, just as I thought we would. We could have easily given up on each other right then and there, but we ended up doing the exact opposite. In order for us to regain our friendship, we had step out of our comfort zones. I had to voice out my concerns even when it was uncomfortable for me, while Shail had to open up more about his life and be willing to talk about it. It was definitely difficult at first, but now our bond has mended and is stronger than ever before. Just a year ago, I thought our broken relationship was too far gone and could not be saved. Boy, was I wrong. To this very day, Shail is the first person I go to when I’m hitting low points in my life, and he never fails to be there for me when I need him most. Distance was the hardest obstacle we had to overcome, and I can now proudly say that we did it! Distance makes the heart tear into a million pieces but grow fonder in the end...that’s how the saying goes, right?

Q: How do you make time to keep in touch?

A: Before, I used to always make too much time to talk to him that it became unhealthy for both of us. Soon enough, I realized what was the missing piece of the puzzle: I needed to take a step back. I thought, well if he wanted to talk to me, then that’s up to him. I can’t force him. It resulted in a smoother friendship in which we could grow and support each other in a more natural way. Now, keeping in touch doesn’t feel like a chore. There’s nothing better than having a friendship that’s so effortless but also so worthwhile.

Q: You’ve been friends for a long time. Do you feel like you know everything about each other or are there still things left to discover?

A: This guy has changed so much in the past five years alone. Of all of my friends, Shail is the one human I love learning new things about. He has a depth to him that many people fail to appreciate. He is an open-minded person, so his personality is adaptable and ever changing. The one thing I know for certain is that Shail will always have a positive outlook on whatever the world throws at him. I trust that he won’t let negativity set him back and instead will push through to pursue what makes him truly happy.

Q: Do you have any advice for people worried about losing touch with their friends who are moving?

A: Friendship is all about balance and reciprocation. Communicate and support each other, but remember it’s also very important to respect each other’s space. Find ways other than texting and snapchatting to keep in touch. Calling or video chatting are excellent alternatives. If possible, take the chance and meet up in person every now and then. Read the same book and have a conversation about it. Watch a movie together via Internet. Be pen pals if you like to have things on paper instead of on a computer or phone. The possibilities are endless! The process is up to you, as long as you know how to prioritize and maintain your connection.

Q: In one line, addressing your best friend, say something you’ve always wanted to tell them.

A: Jimmy, when I first met you I didn’t know you were going to be this important to me; I hope we conquer whatever lies in store for us together as a team, forever and always.
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Photos by Akshar Patel

PATRICK- 

Q: When did you meet?

A:  We met in 7th grade, but we became friends in 8th grade.

Q: How did you meet?

A: We met at a pep rally where we got into an argument about which one of us was more of a nerd. I won, and I continue to prove it to this day.

Q: Where do you each live?

A: Physically, I live in Ithaca, New York. Mentally, I live in the moment.

Q: Do you have any distinct nicknames for each other?

A: [Nickname redacted]

Q: What’s your favorite memory together?

A:I don't know if I can pinpoint a specific instance in time that was my favorite moment with Ragini because my friendship with her is a never-ending series of iconic moments, but the defining memory of our friendship  — I think — is our Algebra II class sophomore year of high school. We incessantly snapped each other bad selfies from across the room, talked about whichever nerdy show we were watching, and, most importantly, never did our homework or paid attention. That class is probably where we became as close as we are now.

Q: How did it affect your friendship when you separated? Did it put a strain on your relationship?

A: Honestly, it didn’t. Ragini left for TAMS junior year of high school, and it was difficult not having my best friend there every day. However, Ragini and I have such similar personalities and a strong foundation that it was not difficult to remain friends. Despite being physically separated, our friendship began to grow even more. Although we haven’t lived in the same place for 3 years now and don’t see each other in person for months at a time, I think we’ve become like siblings to one another.

​Q: How do you make time to keep in touch?

A: It’s not difficult to make time for something you enjoy. Ragini is the first person I go to when I need a pick me up. We send each other pictures, videos, tweets, and texts that honestly make our friendship feel like a comedy show — like Friends, but with millennials, and I have a habit of binge watching that kind of thing.

Q: You’ve been friends for a long time. Do you feel like you know everything about each other or are there still things left to discover?

A: I think we know each other's humor pretty well, but the defining characteristic of our friendship in my opinion is that we don’t try to pressure one another to behave a certain a way. For now, I don’t think we know everything about each other because our personalities aren’t done developing yet. However, I do think I know Ragini well enough to know that no matter who we are in a year or in 50, we’re still going to be there for each other.

Q: Do you have any advice for people worried about losing touch with their friends who are moving?

A: Don’t pressure yourselves to talk constantly. Give yourself and your friend room to grow, and you’ll stay in touch if your friendship is strong enough for you to be worried about losing touch.

Q: In one line, addressing your best friend, say something you’ve always wanted to tell them.

A: Ragini, I value your opinion of me above any other person’s.
RAGINI-
​

Q: When did you meet?

A: Pat and I met in seventh grade at Forestwood Middle School, but we didn’t become friends until eighth grade.

Q: How did you meet?

A: This is actually one of my favorite friendship origin stories. Patrick and I sat near each other at a pep rally towards the end of seventh grade. I, an unenthusiastic middle-schooler with stuff to do, had brought my math textbook and thought I was so different and weird for doing my homework at a pep rally. I was being really obnoxious about it and Patrick overheard. He and I then got in a full blown argument about who was nerdier: him for having taken the SAT in 7th grade, or me for bringing a textbook to the pep rally. Let it be known that I truly resented this kid at this point. That was our first and last fight.
We met again in eighth grade when we were in the same science class. At first I didn’t recognize him as my archnemesis from the pep rally so we instantly became friends. By the time I realised that he was the guy I had gotten in the most ridiculous confrontation of all time with, we had become too close for me to harbor any resentment towards him.

Q: Where do you each live?

A: We both live in Flower Mound, Texas, but Patrick goes to Cornell in New York while I attend UT Dallas.

Q: Do you have any distinct nicknames for each other?

A: I have a ton of nicknames for him: Pat, Patty, Pattycake, Petrock, the list goes on and on. My friends also have a large variety of nicknames for me, but Patrick is the only one I allow to call me Ragi. We also joke that we’re twins because we were actually born on the same day, so all sibling-related nicknames are on the table.

Q: What’s your favorite memory together?

​A: Patrick and I have celebrated our birthday together since eighth grade. This past year, on our 19th, we were 1500 miles apart and unable to wish each other in person for the first time in years. I was pretty upset about missing our tradition, so to make up for it, we FaceTimed late the night before our birthday and counted down to midnight in each of our time zones. He opened my gift and we went through birthday messages together; it was a great reminder that despite the distance we could still find ways to keep our friendship strong.

Q: How did it affect your friendship when you separated? Did it put a strain on your relationship?

A: Strangely enough, Pat and I got closer around eleventh grade when I left Flower Mound High School and started to go to TAMS. We were friends before that, but we hardly ever hung out or even texted. When I left, it made me really think about who I wanted to keep in touch with. I made group chats with all my Flower Mound friends and made sure to make time for the people I wasn’t willing to leave behind. Patrick and I started talking more often because of this and now we’re closer than ever before.

Q: How do you make time to keep in touch?

A: Depending on how busy we are, we have different ways of making sure we don’t become too distant. Obviously, texting and snapchatting are a given, but we also use the website rabb.it to watch movies and binge shows together. Even if he’s busy, I send him memes on Twitter and tag him in Tumblr posts for him to see when he has free time. When Patrick’s back in town, he visits me at UTD and we hit up our favorite spot (Torchy’s Tacos) as often as possible. This summer, we’ve started going to the gym together everyday to make up for lost time.

Q: You’ve been friends for a long time. Do you feel like you know everything about each other or are there still things left to discover?

A: Anyone who knows Patrick will agree that he’s kind of a mysterious guy. Not in a traditionally secretive, distant, aloof sort of way - he’s far too jovial for that - but in a way that sneaks up on you. It keeps things interesting because his consistently cheerful demeanor distracts you from the fact that you don’t know little things - like his middle name or where he lives - despite having known him for five years. Although I think I know Patrick better than most people, I still always feel like there’s more backstory to unlock with him. I love that after all this time I’m still able to learn new things about my best friend.

Q: Do you have any advice for people worried about losing touch with their friends who are moving?

A: Be understanding, be flexible, and be creative. It’s important to remember that people get busy and you may not have as much time for each other as you want. Just because you don’t talk as much for a while doesn’t mean either of you care any less, and there are still ways to stay connected.

Q: In one line, addressing your best friend, say something you’ve always wanted to tell them.

A: I know you have a lot going on and it gets pretty stressful at times, but it’s inspiring how you manage to balance it all and still be the most positive person I know.
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Photos by Tanvi Khanduri
3 Comments

end of the worst.

12/31/2016

0 Comments

 
RAGINI- This time last year I had pretty high hopes for 2016. Little did I know this year would turn out to be one of the most notoriously awful years in recent history. After Brexit, a Trump presidential nomination, and the passing of several iconic celebrities, I think we're all looking for a break from the constant L's 2016 has been giving us. Before we start setting our expectations for 2017, however, let's step back and look at some of the things that made this year personally more tolerable.
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  • favorite musical artists:
    1. Panic! At The Disco
    2. Childish Gambino
    3. DΞΔN
    4. Anirudh Ravichander
    5. DNCE​
​
  • ​favorite musical albums:
    1. ​​ANTI- Rihanna
    2. EXIT: E- WINNER
    3. Death of a Bachelor- Panic! At The Disco
    4. Mind of Mine- Zayn
    5. Sremmlife 2- Rae Sremmurd​
  • favorite songs​:
  • favorite tv shows:
    1. Brooklyn 99
    2. Jane The Virgin
    3. We Bare Bears
    4. Atlanta
    5. Black Mirror
  • favorite movies:
    1. ​​Deadpool
    2. Zootopia
    3. Captain America: Civil War
    4. Moana
    5. Irudhi Suttru
  • social media used the most​​​​: snapchat
  • favorite phone game: endless lake
  • inspirational icon who rose to fame this year: Nathan Zed
  • major lifestyle change: learned how to drive
  • saddest news: Trump becoming president
  • best news: the ice bucket challenge actually funded an ALS breakthrough
  • saddest moment: leaving UNT
  • best moment: road trip to Austin
  • describe 2016 in one word: yuck
  • describe what you expect/want to achieve in 2017 in one word: ​organization
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  • favorite musical artists:​
    1. Zayn
    2. The Brobecks
    3. Nick Jonas
    4. Badshah
    5. Nicki Minaj​
​
  • favorite musical albums:​​
    1. ​​Starboy- The Weeknd
    2. ANTI- Rihanna
    3. Death of a Bachelor- Panic! At The Disco
    4. Mind of Mine- Zayn
    5. DNCE- DNCE
  • favorite songs​:
  • ​favorite tv shows:
  1. Scream
  2. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
  3. Jane The Virgin
  4. Scream Queens
  5. Black Mirror
  • ​favorite movies:
  1. ​​Deadpool
  2. Ghostbusters
  3. Zootopia
  4. Kapoor & Sons
  5. Moana
  • social media used the most​​​​: snapchat
  • favorite phone game: 8-ball
  • inspirational icon who rose to fame this year: Demetrius Harmon
  • major lifestyle change: took a gap semester before college
  • saddest news: Trump becoming president
  • best news: giant pandas are no longer endangered
  • saddest moment: first car accident
  • best moment: going to India after 11 years
  • describe 2016 in one word: YIKES
  • describe what you expect/want to achieve in 2017 in one word: ​focus​
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  • favorite musical artists:
    1. Nicki Minaj
    2. Panic! At The Disco
    3. Blink-182
    4. NCT
    5. Rihanna​
​
  • favorite musical albums:
    1. Death of a Bachelor- Panic! At The Disco
    2. "Awaken, My Love!"- Childish Gambino
    3. ANTI- Rihanna
    4. MADE- BIGBANG  
    5. Lemonade- Beyoncé
  • favorite songs​:
  • favorite tv shows: (I didn't really watch anything new, but I caught up on some iconic old shows.)
    1. ​​Parks and Recreation
    2. The Office
    3. Adventure Time 
  • favorite movies:
    1. ​​​​​Moana
    2. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
    3. Zootopia
    4. Finding Dory
    5. Captain America: Civil War 
  • social media used the most​​​​: Tumblr
  • favorite phone game: Neko Atsume
  • inspirational icon who rose to fame this year: Ted Cruz
  • major lifestyle change: going to a new school
  • saddest news: Trump becoming president
  • best news: the story of Dimdim, the penguin who swims 5,000 miles a year every year to visit the man who saved his life
  • saddest moment: leaving TAMS graduation and all of my TAMS friends I'll probably never see again
  • best moment: turning in my physics final
  • describe 2016 in one word: heck
  • describe what you expect/want to achieve in 2017 in one word: ​quiet
Happy new year from all of us at Garamasalas! We hope this year brings you the happiness and success you deserve!
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masala music monday pt. 2 // rewind & replay.

5/16/2016

1 Comment

 
PRANEEKA & RAGINI-

Praneeka:


I moved from India to the States at a very young age. My parents had left most of their customs and traditions back home in order to adapt to their new lives in America. The only way for my family to maintain our roots was to watch Tamil movies that we would buy from our city's local Indian market. The songs from the movies we watched helped me learn my mother tongue and sleep soundly when I was scared of the dark, and made me stop crying when I missed my parents. Most of the songs in this playlist are very well-known in Tamil cinema, but they play a special role in my family. 

1. Netru No No from VIP

2. Kannodu Kaanbathellam from Jeans

3. Kokkarakko from Ghilli 

4. Oru Vartha from Ayya

5. Naattu Kattai from Gemini

6. Antha Nilava Than from Mudhal Mariyathai

7. All Thotta Boopathi from Youth

8. Un Perai Sonnale from Dumm Dumm Dumm

9. Enna Solla Pogirai from Kandukondain Kandukondain

10. Raa Raa from Chandramukhi

11. Dhimsu Kattai from Thirumalai

12. Anjali Anjali Anjali from Anjali

13. Andangkaka from Anniyan

14. Thamthakka Theenthakka from Thirumalai

15. Ore Oru Oorukulla from Thavamai Thavamirundhu

16. Break The Rules from Boys

yen dharani from praneekam on 8tracks Radio.

Ragini:

​
This playlist is dedicated to my father, the only person I know who loves music more than I do. His adoration of old Bollywood songs has stuck with me for years and, much like the songs on this playlist, I've only grown to appreciate him more and more over time.


1. Mere Ghar Aayi Ek Nanhi Pari from Kabhi Kabhi

2. Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhagi Si from Chalti Ka Naam Gadi

3. Haal Kaisa Hai Janab Ka from Chalti Ka Naam Gadi

4. Babu Samjho Ishare from Chalti Ka Naam Gadi

5. O Saathi Chal from Seeta Aur Geeta

6. Roop Tera Mastana from Aradhana

7. Yeh Chaand Sa Roshan Chehra from Kashmir Ki Kali

8. Humne Tumko Dekha from Khel Khel Mein

9. O Meri Soni Meri Tamanna from Yaadon Ki Baaraat

10. Mere Samne Wali Khidki Mein from Padosan

11. Churaliya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko from Yaadon Ki Baaraat

12. Salam E Ishq from Muqaddar Ka Sikandar

13. Eello Ji Sanam Hum Aa Gaye from Andaaz Apna Apna

14. Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

15. Ramta Jogi from Taal

meri nanhi pari from praneekam on 8tracks Radio.

1 Comment

365/365.

12/31/2015

0 Comments

 
PRANEEKA- Another year has come to an end. As with every other year, there have been many great days and not so great ones. Change. Success. Failure. However, December 31 is always the most hopeful. We use this day to believe that the next 365 days to come will bring forth better outcomes and habits. Although many people fail to truly achieve their resolutions, the fact that we simply have so much faith that everything will get better makes me happy. We acknowledge our flaws and believe that we can overcome them. We attempt to become better humans. With all of the devastating events going on around the world, there are still people out there who want to reach a state of optimism and personal improvement.  They believe. That truly amazes me. So, this year I want to challenge you. Instead of plainly making a resolution, think of something small that you lacked this year and find an actual method that will help you achieve it. Without some work, you won't get any pleasing results. Plus, having a small, attainable goal will actually give you a sense of accomplishment and completion. I did that this year, and it paid off. My goal was to keep a journal and consistently write in it. I put some effort, and it really benefitted me both physically and emotionally. See? Anything small and achievable. It can still go a long way.

Madeline, Ragini, and I did a small questionnaire below to show you a piece of how our year was. This year was pretty gross for all of us, but our friendship kept us going. As you can see with our favorite things, we have influenced each other in many ways. We have accomplished so much, and we're only going to look forward. It's been a ride. We only have one more semester together before we all separate ways to different colleges, but we're going to make the best of it! We will definitely be posting all of our adventures on here, don't worry. Thank you guys for supporting us. This blog has helped us build a stronger friendship. It's helped us find many new friends. Most importantly, it's helped us become better individuals. We hope that we can keep this going for a very long time. 

Here's to your triumphs. Here's to the obstacles you've faced. Here's to the many people you've met along your journey. Keep your head high and keep it going. Happy new year from your GARAMASALAS pals!

  1. favorite musical artists
  2. favorite songs
  3. favorite musical albums
  4. favorite tv shows
  5. favorite movies
  6. social media used the most
  7. favorite phone game
  8. inspirational icon who rose to fame this year
  9. major lifestyle change
  10. saddest news
  11. best news
  12. saddest moment
  13. best moment
  14. describe 2015 in one word
  15. describe what you expect/want to achieve in 2016 in one word
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1.
  • twenty one pilots
  • Nicki Minaj
  • Panic! At The Disco
  • Drake
  • Ke$ha
2.
  • Stressed Out- twenty one pilots
  • Hotline Bling- Drake
  • Fairly Local- twenty one pilots
  • BANG BANG BANG- BIGBANG
  • Centuries- Fall Out Boy
3.
  • 25- Adele
  • Blurryface- twenty one pilots
  • If You're Reading This It's Too Late- Drake
  • Purpose- Justin Bieber
  • American Beauty/American Psycho- Fall Out Boy
4.
  • Parks and Recreation
  • Brooklyn Nine-Nine
  • Master of None
  • Bob's Burgers
  • Sense8
5.
  • Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip
  • Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip
  • Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip
  • Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip
  • Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip
6. Tumblr
7. Solitaire
8. Left Shark
9. Developing insomnia
10. Donald Trump running for President
11. Supreme Court declaring same-sex marriage legal
12. Tried going to Maple cafeteria one time and it was closed
13. Finishing my finals for this semester
14. dank

15. moredank
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1.
  • Panic! At The Disco
  • Epik High
  • BIGBANG
  • twenty one pilots
  • Aquilo
2.
  • Death of a Bachelor- Panic! At The Disco
  • Same Old Love- Selena Gomez
  • I NEED U- BTS
  • Wrong- Max Schneider
  • BANG BANG BANG- BIGBANG
3.
  • ​Blurryface- twenty one pilots
  • Purpose- Justin Bieber
  • Deadroses- Blackbear
  • EXODUS- EXO
  • Beauty Behind the Madness- The Weeknd
4.
  • Master of None
  • Sense8
  • Jane The Virgin
  • Parks and Recreation
  • Brooklyn Nine-Nine
5.
  • Avengers: Age of Ultron
  • Jurassic World
  • Enakkul Oruvan
  • Ant-Man
  • Indru Netru Naalai
6. Instagram
7. Spider Solitaire
8. Matt McGorry
9. Getting braces (u g h)
​10. Donald Trump running for President
11. twenty one pilots performing at a venue in my city
12. Getting anxiety attacks
13. Watching the second Avengers movie with my best friends on my birthday
14. ew
​15. redemption
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 1.
  • Nicki Minaj
  • Justin Bieber
  • Lin-Manuel Miranda
  • Panic! At The Disco
  • Fall Out Boy
2.
  • Sorry- Justin Bieber
  • Hello- Adele
  • Don't Threaten Me With a Good Time- Panic! At The Disco
  • Hotline Bling- Drake
  • Meltdown- N.A.S.A feat. DMX and Priyanka Chopra
3.
  • Hamilton OST
  • Purpose- Justin Bieber
  • Blurryface- twenty one pilots
  • American Beauty/American Psycho- Fall Out Boy
  • In The Card- Robert DeLong
4.
  • Brooklyn Nine-Nine
  • It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
  • Jane The Virgin
  • Quantico
  • Fresh Off The Boat
5.
  • Bajrangi Bhaijaan
  • Dil Dhanake Do
  • Ant-Man
  • Jurassic World
  • Inside Out
6. Snapchat
7. Neko Atsume
8. Nicki Minaj
9. Following DJ Khaled's keys to more success (🔑🔑)
​10. Donald Trump running for President
​11. Bernie Sanders running for President

12. Zayn leaving One Direction
13. Hitting 1000 notes on Tumblr portraits
14. yikes
​15. change
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thumka thursday // desi party playlist.

12/5/2015

1 Comment

 
This began as a post-finals playlist but it's actually perfect for any gathering, car ride, or solo dance party. Whether you're celebrating or looking for a way to ease your worries, do it the Indian way: by blasting some mast or kuthu songs and dancing your heart out. Remember, abhi to party shuru hui hai (the party's just begun); it's kondatta neram (time to party)!
RAGINI // hindi -
​
​
1. Rum & Whiskey (Vicky Donor)

2. Dhan Te Nan (Kaminey)

3. Bol Beliya (Kill Dil)

4. Punjabiyaan Di Battery (Mere Dad Ki Maruti)

5. Pappu Can't Dance (Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na)

6. Gallan Goodiyaan (Dil Dhadakne Do)

7. G Phaad Ke (Happy Ending) 

8. Desi Girl (Dostana)

9. Ainvayi Ainvayi (Band Baaja Baaraat)

10. Kajra Re (Bunty Aur Babli)

11. Hip Hip Hurrah (Mere Dad Ki Maruti)

12. Aaja Nachle (Aaja Nachle)

13. Dhoom Again (Dhoom 2)

BONUS: Meltdown by N.A.S.A feat. DMX & Priyanka Chopra

abhi to party shuru hui hai from raginikhanduri on 8tracks Radio.

PRANEEKA // tamil -

1. Local Boys (Ethir Neechal)

2. Mambazham Mambazham (Pokkiri)

3. Dandanakka (Romeo Juliet)

4. Thappa Dhaan Theriyum (Maari)

5. Pakkam Vanthu (Kaththi)

6. Appadi Podu (Ghilli)

7. Saroja Saman Nikalo (Chennai 600028)

8. Break The Rules (Boys)

9. Pandi Nattu Kodi (Jigarthanda)

10. Thaamthaka Theemthaka (Thirumalai)

11. Madras to Madurai (Aambala)

12. Andangkaka (Anniyan)

13. Hey Rama Rama Rama (Villu)

14. All Thotta Boopathi (Youth)

15. Muthada Chammak Challo (Ra One - Tamil)

16. Why This Kolaveri Di (3)

Kondatta Neram from praneekam on 8tracks Radio.

1 Comment

sari not sari // north vs. south indian clothing pt. 2

10/28/2015

0 Comments

 
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PC: Vaibhav Bommareddy
RAGINI, PRANEEKA, & ARTHI- Finally! After so long, we finally had the time to do part 2 of our indian clothing series! (Pssst, if you haven't checked out part 1, no worries. Just click here!)

Let's start with Arthi's clothing first. Arthi is wearing the orange-accented turquoise dress known as a langa voni, daavani, or half sari. The langa voni is worn by teenage girls between puberty and marriage. It consists of a skirt worn during childhood called a paavadai, and a sari blouse and drape, which is worn during womanhood. As you can see, the half sari symbolizes the transition into adulthood.

Meanwhile, Praneeka is wearing a deep violet, silk dress known as a sari. There are three parts of a sari: a petticoat, blouse, and a six to nine feet-long drape. The blouse is usually short-sleeved and cropped just above the stomach (like a tight crop top). The drape is tucked into the petticoat and worn over the blouse. Each region in India has its own types of saris based on its climate and fabric weaving styles; for instance, Praneeka is wearing a Kanchipuram sari, which is primarily worn in the region of Tamil Nadu. The distinct patterns and designs on the garment represent different virtues and the region the person came from. The sari is a prominent symbol of India and its vibrant culture.

Both Arthi and Praneeka are wearing sets of bangles, called gajulu in Telugu and valaiyal in Tamil, and traditional bindis called pottus. 

We've been getting a lot of positive feedback on this photo series. Thank you so much. We really hope you're looking forward to our futures posts!
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masala music monday. // a playlist for all your indian needs.

10/12/2015

0 Comments

 
PRANEEKA & RAGINI- 

​Rag:

If there's anything I've learned from years of watching Bollywood movies it's that desis love love. This playlist will take you through some of my favourite Hindi love songs from the 1960s until now. 
Edit: one of these isn't even a love song but it's one of the most iconic and beautiful songs in Bollywood history so I'm leaving it on there. Enjoy! 

1. O Haseena Zulfonwali (1966)

2. Ye Shaam Mastani (1970)

3. Aanewala Pal (1979)

4. Aye Mere Humsafar (1988)

5. Tujhe Dekha To Ye Jaana Sanam (1995)

6. Suraj Hua Madham (2001)

7. Aao Naa (2004)

8. Dekho Naa (2006)

9. Ajab Si (2007)

10. Jaane Kyun (2008)

11. Khuda Jaane (2008)

12. Tum Hi Ho (2013)


Pran:

I don't know much of the new stuff that's been released lately in the Tamil movie and music industries, but I do know that the older stuff is still fantastic and never tiring to listen to. All the songs I've included in this post are ones I have religiously listened to since childhood. This playlist's called Kaayam Aanal Madhippulla, which is fancy for saying "hurt but worth". It starts out with really sad songs, but it eventually ends with happy, cheerful ones. One of the main morals in Tamil movies is this: love can be a painful and heartbreaking experience, but it is all worthwhile in the end. So why not have a playlist that condenses almost every Tamil movie in an hour worth of music?

1. Un Perai Sollumpothe from Angadi Theru

2. Aaruyire Aaruyire from Madrasapattinam

3. Ava Enna from Vaaranam Aayiram

4. Kannazhaga from 3

5. New York Nagaram from Sillendru Oru Kadhal

6. Aaromale from Vinnaithaandi Varuvaya

7. Yaar from Enakkul Oruvan

8. Vinnathandi Varuvaya from Vinnathandi Varuvaya

9. Pookal Pookum from Madrasapattinam

10. Poo Avizhum Pozhudhil from Enakkul Oruvan

11. Idayam Oru Koyil from Idaya Koyil

12. Kadhalil Deepam Ondru from Thambikku Entha Ooru

13. Ale Ale from Boys

14. Azhaipaya Azhaipaya from Kadhalil Sodhapuvadhu Yeppadi

15. Munbe Vaa from Sillendru Oru Kaadhal

16. Thuli Thuli from Paiya

17. Azhagooril from Thirumalai

18. Dhavani Potta Deepavali from Sandakozhi

19. Adada Mazhaida from Paiya


20. Mundhinam from Vaaranam Aayiram


pyaar · ishq · mohabbat from praneekam on 8tracks Radio.

Kaayam Aanal Madhippulla from praneekam on 8tracks Radio.

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are you even like punjabi? // north vs. south indian clothing pt. 1

9/26/2015

2 Comments

 
PRANEEKA & RAGINI- (I hope you understood the JusReign reference.) So if you have been keeping up with our blog, you probably have figured out that Madeline and I have a super rad friend named Ragini. We tend to mention her a lot because 1) she is actually the sweetest person ever and 2) she was one of the main reasons we even started this blog. I cherish her a lot in my heart (love you lots, Rag). Anyways, Ragini and I decided to do a two-part blog post that highlights the comparison of North and South Indian women's clothing.

​Let's start with some background info. Many of you guys think that although Indians speak different languages, we have the same customs and lifestyles. This is most certainly NOT TRUE. India is a country, just like America is. We have different regions with people who practice different traditions. For example, think about the hustle and bustle of New York, and the quiet and vastness of Nebraska. It's the same for India, too. The state of Punjab (North India) is tremendously different from the state of Tamil Nadu (South India). Each of these states have different celebrations, languages, foods, and clothing. So no, we are not all vegetarian. We don't all celebrate Holi. We don't all speak Hindi. Just because we are not as geographically as large as America, that doesn't mean we don't have enough space to house rich and diverse cultures.

In this post, we'll start with North Indian clothing. Ragini is wearing an Indian suit known as a salwar kameez, or suit (specifically an anarkali suit, which has tight pants and an almost floor-length top). The salwar kameez consists of two garments: a pair of pants/pantaloons (salwar) and long tunic top (kameez) that reaches anywhere between the knees and ankles depending on the style. The intricate ornamentations woven on the dress are what makes these suits especially beautiful. She is also wearing a chunni or dupatta, which is a long scarf that is essential in a lot of South Asian clothing. It is a symbol of modesty in many Indian cultures. To top it all off, Ragini is wearing a set of bangles called churi on her wrist and a bindi on her forehead as accessories. And when I say accessories, I mean for SOUTH ASIANS, not for Americans who think of these decorations plainly as aesthetics. Just making that clear.

This is one of my favorite shoots I have ever done for anyone. ​Doesn't she look absolutely stunning?

Soon we will be posting pt. 2 of this series, which will be about South Indian women's clothing.
Stay tuned!!
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