Gwneth Paltrow, who is known for her singing abilities as well has signed a huge deal with Atlantic Records worth more than half a million pounds. This deal is worth $900,000 and her debut album will be released later this year.
Gwyneth is 38 years old and her husband is the lead singer of Coldplay - Chris Martin. She sang on Glee, at the Country Music Awards and the Grammys. She took her guitar lessons when her children - Apple (6) and Moses (4) were at school.
Gwyneth Paltrow seems like one educated and classy woman who does decent things and is only progressing with time. She acts fine. She got married decently. She talks like a fairly intellectual person and she seems to be enjoying her music too.
Well I think we have talked enough about this girl's dressing sense. I think it's unfair to not mention the good music she produces. I really like her song Born This Way. Yes it does have a touch of Madonna but the song is pretty good and the idea is quite meaningful.
The dancing girls in the Shahi mohallah of Lahore also known as Heera Mandi or Diamond market are pretty much out of business now. It is no more a place where the men used to spend their time looking at the dancing girls who were trained in the arts of song, music, dance and seduction. Unlike other markets, this market was quiet in the daytime but was very active in the night.
Mostly, the dancing girls focused on dance and music but a few were involved in the sex trade also. The reason why they are out of work and most of them have left Heera mandi is because of the bomb blasts that took place near the market. They were afraid that there was no security provided to them. Thus, they were forced to close their business and move out.
Some have gone to other areas of city and some have gone to places like UAE and UK. It is doubtful if they would do well if they go for prostitution in the other countries because laws are different there and they could get into trouble. While some who only focused on dance and music are now forced into prostitution because they have no other way to earn money now. Because of poverty and less opportunities to work, most women are saying that they have no choice but to go for prostitution now. Some of the smarter women opted to work through the internet and they attract affluent clients for their services.
Thus terrorism and security threats have taken their toll on many occupations of Pakistan.
I wanted to put some really fun and fast songs today.
The first one is Break Free from Krazzy4. This is the one on which Shahrukh Khan performed and it is much better to look at. Some of the lyrics are too good and inspirational if you'd listen carefully.
The second one is a rocking Salman Khan song from the movie Hello. I love the beat in this one. Absolute Bang Bang Salman Khan song.
This week, thanks to Jean I also got to know about cajun music. Cajun music is also known to be originating from Louisiana. The history, is like this that a long time ago, the British wanted the French people to stand up in war against there own country - France. And of course, some people didn't want to do so. They then left their country and moved and moved and moved and came to live in Louisana. And played cajun music. Most cajun music is in French. Though many people wanted them to not sing in French so some of the songs can be in English as well.
I didn't like the 1st youtube video. It had the haunting voice of this woman. Hated it completely. But I liked the Balfa Brothers. Their music was full of life. Quite good. Then I even heard some great music by Hadley Castille. He is known to be one of the very popular cajun music players who has inspired many young musicians. I am posting some of his stuff as well. And then there was some cool music by this couple Dennis and Jennifer. They play good cajun music too. Now cajun music is becoming popular around the world.
But in the end, I will share a sad poem Evangeline. It is about how sad it was when people had to leave their country and move to another country after so much of misery, pain and destruction. How many people lost their loved ones. How the love of their lives disappeared before their own eyes. This poem is about a Gabrielle and Evangeline, who were in love and about to get married, but the British came and burnt the church and everything was distorted. They were separated. For twenty years, Evangeline looked for the love of her life. However, she suffered but still kept hope alive. She still nurtured the goodness in her and helped others in suffering around her. And it so happened that just before Gabrielle died, he and Evangeline did meet once. Sad but does move one's heart.
I hope somebody else, who was not into this cajun word at all, might like this stuff as well just like it did move me. I have shared some of the best music here. Here is Evangeline for you.
My friend Jean, who tells me interesting things about different cultures from time to time recently told me he likes to practice Cajun music. To which I responded, that I have never heard of Cajun music, but yes I did try a Cajun chicken sandwich once recently.
Cajun has many aspects to it. Yes, cajun sandwiches do exist and they are quite easy to carry and eat while you are on the go. Quick and good food. The meat chunks inside can be of anything you like. It originated in Louisiana. And you can see its picture. However, what I had was more formal and it tasted ok.
Cajun sandwiches are also known as po' boy...something like poor boy. There are many stories to why the name po'boy was derived. It is said, in 1930s something, the workers went for a four month long strike and there was one restaurant in New Orleans whos owners gave free sandwiches to these strikers...referring to the strikers sandwiches as the po'boy. But anyway, po'boy or cajun sandwiches, it does exist now around the world.
Next post, will be about the cajun music and the french connection.
or Diamond market are pretty much out of business now. It is no more a place where the men used to spend their time looking at the dancing girls who were trained in the arts of song, music, dance and seduction. Unlike other markets, this market was quiet in the daytime but was very active in the night.
