Water came and went. The official entry from Canada, and making it into the final 5 Water finally lost out. Much as I hope that good things happen to film-makers who high-light the unfortunate plight of women, I have to say that Water didn’t deserve the nomination (as many other films don’t) – see my review here.

And then after watching making the news-headines everywhere, prior to the Oscars, I barely see the Water folks at the Oscars. Not enough PR ? Nobody knew who they were ? Finally saw one of the photos at a website, and I’m guessing they weren’t “pretty” enough for the Western audience.

Deepa Mehta is attired in her mother’s Banarasi sari. And though the sari is gorgeous (unlike her film), she wears it like a dish-towel, all clumped up and wrapped around her like she was going to the local sabzi-mandi. The woman needs help. SOS’s radiated out from her. I’m all for wearing your culture, and the doing your roots thing, and if mom’s lovely Banarasi fits the bill – all the better. But with a little grace please. Saris are gorgeous, and Mehta’s was too. However worn the way it was, it looked awful. I’d feel bad doing that to a sari.

And what was with the make-up ? Granted we don’t want to break the no-lipstick (Mehta wears no lip-stick – ever) rule, surely there were other alternatives to the dark-kohl, and the smeared rouge, none of which made Mehta look better. If you want to show off your “culture” please do it well. Seema Biswas, while not the most beautiful of women, wore her sari beautifully, all pleats and pallu in place. And Lisa in a brown gown looked nice. Not splashy – just nice. And John in his achkan looks good – hard to make him look bad, except in Baabul.

Going through Sepia Mutiny, came across this comment on the same issue :

. . . John and Lisa should have walked together looking very sexy and exotic together — hot couple! And the rest of the aunties about ten steps behind. As it is this is like those freakin’ Indian family outings when everyone has to roll together, freakin’ aunties take it personally when the kids want to cut loose and look cool in front of the white people and don’t want to be seen with sari-aunties. How many times have you seen it in Trafalgar Square or Niagra Falls? Exactly.

LOL.