“Imagine India,” Macy’s 61st Annual Flower Show

I used to think the coolest thing about Macy’s in San Francisco’s Union Square was its nearly hidden subterranean post office. That’s where I dropped off a package today and noticed something that might be even cooler—Macy’s 61st Annual Flower Show, “Imagine India.”

The store was transformed, from the miniature chocolate elephants on display downstairs, to the huge Ganesh on the store’s façade, which I noticed on Friday night when it was dramatically lit, with the wall of windows customized to look like part of a shrine. For the next two weeks, until April 14, the store will “showcase the art, architecture and history of Indian culture amid lush greens and thousands of blooms.”

I will go back again, and probably not just for stamps. In-store scheduled events include a Dosa cooking demo, the Lancôme Henna Lounge and DJ Rekha live. Shoppers will have the chance to purchase authentic Indian textiles, jewelry, furniture and antiques from specialty shops, and to buy plants from the show at the end. Unscheduled events include dressing up in authentic textiles, pretending to be part of the display and then jumping out to startle wide-eyed shoppers.

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Additional event information
Local ABC news talk show interview with DJ Rekha and Macy’s (anchors seem to be fascinated by the DJ’s career choice.)

Update: Photos of “Imagine India” from Darcy Vasudev.

Sanjaya Also Makes Me Cry

Words cannot describe. I … just don’t know what to say. Sanjaya performed No Doubt’s Bathwater last night on Idol while sporting a faux hawk. I didn’t know where to look. At him butchering (and forgetting the words to) one of my favorite songs? Or at the hawk? Must. Not. Stare. At. The. Hawk. It was so hard. It was like it was talking to me, having a side conversation with me. Like, “Hey, what’s up. Yeah. I’m a pony-hawk. What’s new with you?” Flop flop flopping in the breeze. Was the decision to rock the hawk basically a huge adorable middle finger to everyone who obsesses about his hair? You decide. Watch his performance plus an additional YouTube Sanjaya gem after the jump.

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Nirali Editor on MTV Live Tonight

Are you a long-haired Parveen Babi or a short-tressed Madhuri Dixit? Nirali editor Roxanna Kassam Kara never identified with the straight, silky locks that most Bollywood heroines sported, though she certainly yearned for them in lieu of her curly ‘do. So in “Bollywood’s Mane Attraction,” Roxy explored Bollywood’s hair stereotypes and what they mean for South Asian women. And now, almost two years after that story was published, MTV has come a-knocking.

Roxy will appear tonight on MTV Live, MTV Canada’s flagship show devoted to discussing issues with a live audience. Tonight the show examines hair stereotypes (blonds have more fun, brunettes are boring), and they invited Roxy to talk about her piece.

We’re thrilled to see Roxy represent Nirali on the small screen! While MTV Live’s audience will have a chance to discuss the issue, you can, too. Is there such a thing as a Bollywood hair stereotype? Which movies represent it? Tell us what you think!

All you Canadian readers, you don’t want to miss Roxanna Kassam Kara on MTV Live on MTV Canada tonight at 6 p.m. ET. We’ll report back after the show.

Making Girls Cry Since 1989

Last night on American Idol, Sanjaya Malakar did a major turnaround and made girls cry in the audience with the best performance he’s given all competition. Randy proclaims it was his best performance yet. Paula said it was good that he went for it. Simon confirmed that the little girl’s face said it all.

From Chico To The Man

Daily Show regular Aasif Mandvi weighs in on the Attorney General Alberto Gonzales mess:

Surya Speaks Back

Surya Yalamanchili, the earnest brand manager from Cincinnati who was fired by Donald Trump from The Apprentice on Sunday, recently blogged about his time on the show. He offered an insider’s perspective of the reality series that has candidates vie for the chance to work for Trump. Former teammate Tim Urban has also shared his memories of Surya on the show, and it seems that Surya is not a “phony,” but just a sincere guy who puts a premium on integrity and loves whiteboards. Read on for more from Surya himself!

Whose hair took longer to style? Yours or James’?
Mine only took minutes! I would style it by hanging upside down every morning. You know, like Michael Keaton did in the 1989 Batman?
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It’s In His Hair

Sanjaya’s styles: “Andy Gibb,” Bad Hair Day, “Paula”/”Rachel,” “Sathya Sai Baba” (americanidol.com)

Sanjaya Malakar has made it through another week on American Idol, another week of negative comments from the judges, another week of changing hairstyles. While his fellow contestant Brandon Rogers was voted off on Wednesday night, 17-year-old Sanjaya managed to garner enough votes to go to the next round of competition.

How does Sanjaya do it? E! News reports that votefortheworst.com, the anti-Idol site endorsing him as having the weakest vocals in the competition, may have played a part. “As soon as Malakar was declared safe Wednesday night, Vote for the Worst credited its minions for prolonging his survival.” (“Idol Says Buh-Bye to Brandon“)

Another reason may be the hair. Like Samson, Sanjaya seems to draw strength from it. Fans of his look may constitute a voting block that has successfully kept him on the show so far. His ever-changing hairstyles suggest that he carefully cultivates and caters to this constituency. How far his coiffure will carry him remains to be seen.

Notes from the Underbelly to Premiere on April 11

The cast of Notes from the Underbelly. Abc.com

According to Variety, ABC’s Notes from the Underbelly finally has a premiere date of April 11th! Starring the adorable Sunkrish Bala (interviewed in Nirali Magazine last December here.) as well as the hilarious Rachel Harris, Notes explores the way life changes with parenthood—and the things that are learned along the way.

The Long Kiss Dubai

On last night’s episode of The Daily Show, Aasif Mandvi told us about the benefits of moving your company’s HQs to the Khaleej:

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A man called Mandvi
Halliburton moves offices to Dubai

Sanjaya Malakar’s Other Sister

Photo courtesy of TMZ.Com

Sanjaya Malakar remains in the running to become the next American Idol. He is the first desi to make it into the top 12.

The judges aren’t too fond of him (Simon Cowell has even threatened to quit the show if Malakar wins) but the Washington-native seems to be a favorite especially with teenage girls and the South Asian viewership.

Now the gossip rags have decided Malakar bears an eerie resemblance to Halle Berry. If Jennifer Hudson can win an Oscar, I say Malakar could be an X-man or Bond woman, easy.

Are you rooting for Malakar?

More:
Malakar’s intro video for AI