Arthur J Pais

Stories by Arthur J Pais

'Almost every song seems inspired today'

'Almost every song seems inspired today'

Rediff.com   16 Feb 2022

'I cannot be confined to just one or two kinds of music.'

God, math, and Ramanujan's fascinating story

God, math, and Ramanujan's fascinating story

Rediff.com   22 Dec 2016

December 22 marks the 129th birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan, the greatest Indian mathematician of our time. Just 32 when he died, Ramanujan has fascinated mathematicians, writers and filmmakers for nearly a century.

Diwali kitchen: Top Indian-American chefs share their fav recipes

Diwali kitchen: Top Indian-American chefs share their fav recipes

Rediff.com   10 Nov 2015

Have you tasted Besan ke ladoo cookies?

'A woman of her times and yet someone belonging to Gandhiji's era'

'A woman of her times and yet someone belonging to Gandhiji's era'

Rediff.com   16 Oct 2015

'Asked which Dilip Kumar films were among her favourites, she said she had seen not a single movie of his until that time. This became a sensational issue. She did not mean to offend Dilip Kumar. There was not a bone of diplomacy in her and she never acquired that calculating attitude even at the cost of some of the roles that she would eventually lose.'

My Aunt Smita Patil

My Aunt Smita Patil

Rediff.com   14 Oct 2015

Smita Patil would have been 60 on October 17 had fate not cruelly snatched her from us in 1986. She was only 31 when she died. Rediff.com salutes the incomparable actress in a special series.

'Modi's requirements were simple: The meal had to be pure veg'

'Modi's requirements were simple: The meal had to be pure veg'

Rediff.com   12 Oct 2015

'The main meal consisted of one soup, a salad, 2 or 3 vegetarian dishes (including at least 1 green vegetable), a variety of rice, freshly prepared Rotis or Phulkas, Dal, and yogurt.'

'I wanted the Marigold Hotel films to give very strong sense of India'

'I wanted the Marigold Hotel films to give very strong sense of India'

Rediff.com   19 Mar 2015

Arthur J Pais interviews John Madden, director of the Marigold Hotel films, on the difficult task of creating an equally hilarious and as feeling a sequel.

When Roshan met Mary

When Roshan met Mary

Rediff.com   23 Dec 2014

Indian actors from different generations and worlds, Roshan Seth and Sendhil Ramamurthy, star in a remarkable film, co-starring Oscar winner Mary Steenburgen and Oscar nominee Michael Lerner. Brahmin Bulls director Mahesh Pailoor, in a fascinating conversation with Arthur J Pais/Rediff.com

PK set to be highest grossing film overseas?

PK set to be highest grossing film overseas?

Rediff.com   22 Dec 2014

The film has already grossed $26 million from 22 territories, including India.

A path to emerge from the shadows

A path to emerge from the shadows

Rediff.com   18 Dec 2014

US President Barack Obama's plan to shield up to 4.7 million undocumented immigrants from deportation may be immensely significant, but only a comprehensive legislation from the Congress with a larger goal could do justice to immigrant expectations.

Being undocumented in the United States

Being undocumented in the United States

Rediff.com   16 Dec 2014

There are 2.5 lakh undocumented Indians across the United States. While President Barack Obama's executive order last week does help, only the US Congress can really address the needs of those caught in the immigration tangle.

Why 18-year-old Tabbu is an inspiration

Why 18-year-old Tabbu is an inspiration

Rediff.com   12 Dec 2014

'Now when I walk down the street people point me out to their daughters and say, "That's Tabbu. You should be like her",' says Tabbu Afroz, 18, when she received the Breakthrough Changemaker Inspiration Award in New York.

'Would Mira Nair make a Missouri Masala now?'

'Would Mira Nair make a Missouri Masala now?'

Rediff.com   12 Dec 2014

Civil rights activist Deepa Iyer, former executive director, South Asian Americans Leading Together, a social justice organisation thought after a visit to the minority businesses hit in recent weeks that the tragic story in Ferguson, Missouri, offers Indian Americans an opportunity to stand up and decry police brutality and show sympathy and support for African Americans in the beleaguered city

In a mob fury, anything can happen: Indian shopkeepers in Ferguson

In a mob fury, anything can happen: Indian shopkeepers in Ferguson

Rediff.com   11 Dec 2014

Indians in and around Ferguson, Missouri, tell Arthur J Pais and Suman Guha Mozumder what it's like to be caught in the thick of America's racial volcano eruption

Indians target of home invasions in New Jersey

Indians target of home invasions in New Jersey

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2014

Residents anxious after masked gunmen break into 4 desi homes in New Jersey, many disappointed over the police's response to the violent crimes. Arthur J Pais reports from New Jersey.

The beautiful story of Lady Ganga

The beautiful story of Lady Ganga

Rediff.com   25 Nov 2014

With her final act, paddleboarding from Rishikesh to Varanasi during the last months of her battle with cancer, Michele Baldwin fought for the promise of life. Filmmaker Frederic Lumiere tells Arthur J Pais about the inspiring story of Lady Ganga.

4 Indians among Rhodes scholars this year

4 Indians among Rhodes scholars this year

Rediff.com   24 Nov 2014

The scholars are awarded for their outstanding scholarly achievements, character, commitment to others and to the common good.

Happy Ending goes to New York

Happy Ending goes to New York

Rediff.com   20 Nov 2014

Indian and Pakistani movies, now in New York theatres!

Why Aasif Mandvi learnt to 'patank'

Why Aasif Mandvi learnt to 'patank'

Rediff.com   4 Nov 2014

It was an art, says Mandvi, that all Indian-American actors had to cultivate.

Remember Shabana Azmi and Farooque Sheikh's Tumhari Amrita?

Remember Shabana Azmi and Farooque Sheikh's Tumhari Amrita?

Rediff.com   20 Oct 2014

Just two actors on stage capturing love, jealousy, possessiveness, class issues and guilt in 90 minutes... a highly entertaining musical set in 19th century Paris. Arthur J Pais/Rediff.com reports from New York on Love Letters and Can-Can.