Now, Israel dances to Bollywood tunes

Now, Israel dances to Bollywood tunes

Harish C Menon (IANS) Bollywood pulsating music has begun to grip many young Israelis with parents from India.
Buoyed by the availability of Indian programmes on satellite television and enthralled by Bollywood music and shows such as 'Indian Idol' and 'Nach Baliye', Israeli youths are taking a keen interest in film music and dance.
In cities with heavy Indian populations like Beersheba, Tel Aviv and Dimona, classes in Hindi film songs are being conducted.
"The youngsters are definitely showing high levels of interest in film music. Many even attend regular classes," said Jonathan Solomon, founder president of the Indian Jewish Federation.
"The 50,000-strong Indian Jews settled in Israel are perhaps the biggest fans of vintage Bollywood music. They associate these songs with fond memories they have of their time in India," he said.
Solomon, who returned from Israel earlier this month after a brief visit, saw 'Hodu Yada', an annual congregation of Israelis of Indian origin held in the southern Israeli city of Eilat.
'Hodu Yada', which means 'Thank you India' in Hebrew, is a three-day congregation usually organised in the early part of the year where Indian origin families meet and catch up on their personal lives and make merry.
"This time around 3,800 people attended the meet and the programme started with Bollywood cinematic dance performed by young Israeli Indians," Solomon said.
"The boys and girls are highly enthusiastic about the film music videos seen on TV although I do not know exactly how many of them are learning it," noted Solomon, who dreams of organising a concert in Israel some day.
'Hodu Yada', Solomon said, had a very Indian atmosphere with several stalls selling snacks like bhel puri and pav bhaji. Music systems played the latest as well as vintage Bollywood songs.
The cinematic song and dance programme was followed by stand-up comedies and skits by look-alikes of Bollywood stars like Govinda that had the entire crowd in splits.
Alongside 'Hodu Yada' an Indian film festival was going on in Israel that screened latest blockbusters like Apaharan and Mangal Pandey and also Marathi films like Vastupurush.
At 'Hodu Yada', legendary Bollywood singer Kishore Kumar's son Amit Kumar's orchestra had been invited to perform this time.
"People wore Indian costumes and jewellery. It did not seem like a foreign country when the young and old swayed alike to the tunes of Ye Jo Mohabbat Hai, the classic Kishore Kumar song from the movie Kati Patang," Solomon said.

The programme was attended by the Indian envoy to Israel Arun Kumar Singh who concluded with the remark: "You can take an Indian out of India but you cannot take India out of an Indian."

yay!! well becuz Bollywood rocks!! so everyone luvs it!! 👏 👏 👏

thnx 4 sharing 😃

"You can take an Indian out of India but you cannot take India out of an Indian."

👍🏼

👏

Then Mera Bharat Mahaan!!! 😛 😃 😊

Thanks for the article. Bollywood is really going places.

You can take an Indian out of India but you cannot take India out of an Indian.

So very true! 😃

As long as is it the traditions and cultural values you're speaking of Bhaskar..I agree, Mera Bhaarat Mahaan. 😊

50,000 Indian Jews in Israel alone! 😲 Wow... puts a different perspective on our diversity, at least for me.

Originally posted by: simtara

As long as is it the traditions and cultural values you're speaking of Bhaskar..I agree, Mera Bhaarat Mahaan. 😊

how can there be an indian jew?
like how can jewish religion skip over soo many countries but all of sudden land in india? 😆

Originally posted by: adi_0112

Why just cultural and traditions, India has everything - great music, great literature, good political leaders, great food, great art forms , great people , intelligence and a great diversity.Some of the great architectural sites are based in India and what a fabulous historical background. In short India has a character and is unique.Mera bharat mahan too !!!!👏

😳 I was hoping the "cultural" aspect took care of all that.

I agree with all except the political leaders aspect. But that goes into an altogether different point.

Kudos to the Bolly-appreciation in Israel. 😊

Originally posted by: RonnieK

how can there be an indian jew?
like how can jewish religion skip over soo many countries but all of sudden land in india? 😆

😕 I would recommend you go over your history and geography lessons again.

And I believe the point was that the Indian culture is being celebrated world-wide, even in a place like Israel.