
Soniah Kamal
'Why do we submit? / to fracturing?': A poetry anthology of South Asian women's traumas
An excerpt from 'Sing, Slivered Tongue: An Anthology of South Asian Women's Poetry of Trauma in English', edited by Lopamudra Basu and Feroza Jussawalla.
Lopamudra Basu
,
Feroza Jussawalla
,
Vivimarie Vanderpoorten
&
Soniah Kamal
· 4 minutes ago
Girls from good families do not write such stories
'How could I have such vile, such vulgar thoughts? Was I trying to be sensationalistic in order to become famous and rich? Was I trying to impress the West?'
Soniah Kamal
· Mar 01, 2015 · 07:30 am
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News18
2 days ago
- News18
Natania Lalwani: Breaking Borders, One Global Hit At A Time
Last Updated: Blending Punjabi soul with global pop, Natania Lalwani is reshaping the soundscape of mainstream music—one cross-cultural hit at a time. From Mumbai to Los Angeles, from Punjabi beats to Hollywood soundtracks, Natania Lalwani is crafting a musical universe where culture meets pop magic with Rihanna, Disney, and even the Smurfs along for the ride. For Natania Lalwani, music isn't just about melodies, it's about emotion, connection, and fearlessly crossing borders. With songwriting credits for global heavyweights like Nick Jonas, Rihanna, Cardi B, and now a coveted spot on the Freaky Friday reboot soundtrack, the Indian-born, LA-based pop singer-songwriter is making waves that resonate far beyond genre or geography. 'I've always believed that music breaks all borders," Natania shares. 'No matter the market or style, at the heart of it, we're all trying to create something that moves people." Whether she's writing a vulnerable breakup ballad or crafting a joy-filled tune for The Smurfs, Natania's north star is authenticity and it shows. Repping Brown on the Global Stage With a powerful voice both on and off the mic, Natania is part of a larger movement redefining South Asian representation in global entertainment. 'There's a growing respect and curiosity for South Asian voices," she says, beaming with pride. 'We're not just showing up, we're leading." She cites names like Diljit Dosanjh and Karan Aujla as evidence of this shift, and her own career is a prime example: from viral desi-pop fusions to writing platinum-certified tracks for artists like Armaan Malik, Natania's discography reflects a bold, borderless sound. A Disney Dream, Reimagined Her latest milestone? Freaky Friday, Disney's reboot of the iconic film. 'It was a full circle moment," she says. 'My A&R sent in the song, and Disney loved it." A creative call with director Nisha Ganatra sealed the deal. The track itself, born from a serendipitous studio session with Jason Evigan, carries layers of heartbreak and hope. 'I was going through a breakup and just poured it all into the song," she laughs. 'It somehow matched the film's energy perfectly. It was fate!" Smurfs, Soundtracks, and Surreal Moments Then came The Smurfs. Her track 'Higher Love" brings a vibrant Punjabi-pop flavor to the animated film's international soundtrack. 'I grew up in Mumbai watching movies like this—it felt so far away," she reflects. 'To now be part of something global and still so personal, that's everything." The blue carpet premiere only added to the magic. 'Hearing my song, meeting Rihanna, it was electric!" Bridging Cultures, Finding Her Frequency Throughout it all, Natania's mission has remained clear: fuse her Indian heritage with the universal language of pop. 'It's like finding my own unique frequency," she says. 'It's heart-expanding. It makes me feel fully, authentically me." And fans have noticed, her work doesn't just blend cultures, it celebrates them. The Rahman Dream and What's Next When asked about a dream collaboration, her answer is instant: A.R. Rahman. 'It would be something timeless but fresh. Something that lives forever," she says. And while she stays tight-lipped about specifics, she teases more music on the horizon, with the Freaky Friday soundtrack dropping August 8. As for the buzz around her recent studio time with Rahman? She calls it 'a pinch-me moment." No surprise, most of her journey seems like one, the kind artists dream of but few actually live. But for Natania Lalwani, this is just the beginning. Caption: From The Smurfs to Freaky Friday, Natania Lalwani is India's rising pop force taking Hollywood by storm. About the Author Swati Chaturvedi Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she's a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 More The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 03, 2025, 19:05 IST News lifestyle Natania Lalwani: Breaking Borders, One Global Hit At A Time Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
Kal Penn at Express Adda: ‘In content creation, people taking fewer risks… It (art) needs to be subjective'
Talking about his nearly three decade-long career in Hollywood, Kal Penn, American actor-producer of Indian origin, said that he stands on the shoulders of so many Indian and South Asian diaspora actors who are older than him by 40-50 years and whose names people don't know because they never had the opportunities that he had. 'I had those opportunities because of the doors that they kicked down in Hollywood,' he said, emphasising that contrary to popular perception, there was no 'overnight switch' that created platforms for diaspora artists. Penn, also an author, TV show host and former White House staffer, was in conversation with Anant Goenka, Executive Director, The Indian Express Group, at the Express Adda in Mumbai on Friday. 'It is easy to use a 2025 microscope and say I should have done that in 1998,' said Penn, recalling that he was told he couldn't study acting and was called a 'sell-out' for choosing to pursue theatre and arts. Talking about his early films, he said: 'People ask me if I regret playing the character of Taj Mahal in Van Wilder (2002), a teen sex comedy. I always say, first of all, you are welcome. Because without that, there would be no Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle (2004). And without that, I would not have got The Namesake (2006).' It was Mira Nair's then 14-year-old son Zohran Mamdani, who is now a New York State Assembly member running for Mayor, who suggested Penn's name for The Namesake. Asked about 'liberalism in Hollywood', Penn said: 'It is the same liberalism you see supporting (Joe) Biden and (Kamala) Harris in their assault on Gaza, which is not that different from Donald Trump and JD Vance's assault on Gaza. If you care about human rights, you see a distinct line, but I don't see one with liberals in general. If you see what the Democratic Party has been doing on that particular issue, wages or taxation with a select few states, they have not really been wonderful in the way that true progressives have been.' The actor, who wears many hats, served as White House staff member in the Barack Obama administration. Looking back at the Obama administration, Penn said he wished more had been done to secure public arts institutions. 'We gave in to the fear-mongering around funding the arts. Now those institutions are getting dismantled,' he said. Commenting on the contemporary entertainment scenario, Penn said: 'In content creation, people are taking fewer risks now. That's why there is the perception that the lowest common denominator is the only thing that is being made now… It (art) needs to be subjective and not everything should be for everybody. I am not precious about the stuff I watch or the genres I want to be in. If I like a script or a story, that is enough. One of the challenges we are facing now is, if something does not appeal to business leaders or financiers think it should appeal to… it may not get greenlit. I hope that changes because that's when you see more interesting content.' While stand-up comics have come under the scanner in India and the US, the actor made it clear that he appreciates the work of those who have an authentic voice. 'It does not mean I have to share their lived experience. It means that I find their style of storytelling vulnerable, authentic and fun to watch,' he said. Commenting on the rise of incidents when people are offended by comedians, he said he does not understand the extreme reaction. 'Sometimes, we misunderstand what getting cancelled means. Then, on other occasions, a comedian makes regressive jokes which upset people. I understand that. But as a relative purist, ideally I would defend the right to free speech even if that (the joke) bothers me.' Connecting the growth of Indian streaming content to global creative trends, he praised shows like Delhi Crime and Made in Heaven for handling complex themes without pretending to represent a single, simplified idea of India. 'What excites me the most is how Indian creators are making space for stories that are messy, local, honest, sometimes deeply political, sometimes just weird and joyful,' he said. Asked about South Asian solidarity, especially between Indian and Pakistani artists abroad, he said: 'There is a shared experience among the diaspora. There are some divisions that exist on the sub-continent… there is also an undercurrent of the same stigmatisation that we all go through. Not just actors, but Nepali filmmakers and Sri Lankan creative people.' The Express Adda is a series of informal interactions organised by The Indian Express Group and features those at the centre of change. Previous guests at the Adda include Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, philanthropist Bill Gates, actors Pankaj Tripathi and Tabu, oncologist and writer Siddhartha Mukherjee, musician T M Krishna, ecologist Romulus Whitaker and writer William Dalrymple.


Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Sainsbury's Basmati rice sale in London triggers stockpiling frenzy among shoppers. Watch
A video capturing a massive rush for discounted Basmati rice at a Sainsbury's outlet in Whitechapel, London, has gone viral, sparking both amusement and concern on the internet. The footage, which has been widely shared online, shows a large number of shoppers, predominantly from South Asian backgrounds, filling their trolleys almost entirely with packets of Basmati rice. According to the caption, the rice was on sale for £9.50 per packet. People crowded a London shop to grab Basmati rice on sale.(X/@UB1UB2) (Also read: Woman outraged by London airport shop employees talking in Hindi, says she reported them) The viral clip was posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) by the account 'UB1UB2 West London (Southall)' with the caption, "People stockpile rice after a Sainsbury's in Whitechapel put Laila Basmati rice on sale for £9.50." Watch the clip here: Since its upload, the video has garnered more than 3,500 views and has triggered a range of online reactions. Internet reacts The clip has sparked discussion online, shedding light on the cultural significance of rice in British South Asian households while also prompting a mix of humorous and critical reactions about consumer behaviour and bulk buying. One user quipped, 'The British people are gonna be angry when they see this lol,' hinting at underlying cultural perceptions. Another comment suggested a need for limits on bulk buying, saying, 'They should be restricted, two per customer because they will make a profit when they sell it,' pointing to possible concerns over hoarding and reselling. Adding a dose of humour and disbelief, another viewer wrote, 'Looks like I'm not getting rice then,' while someone else joked, 'Imagine what Donald Trump would say if he saw this.' Drawing comparisons to cinematic drama, one user remarked, 'Thought it was a scene from a movie,' and another simply stated, 'This is unbelievable.'