#indian idol 12 finale

[sillygoose067]

Charles’s Angel(s)

Ch.12

Charles Leclerc x Reader

Author’s Note: FYI, if you haven’t been following along closely since chapter 2, I had the OC be Indian/a brown girl— Just because I felt like we don’t get enough representation. So if you don’t like that, I guess just either live with it, or blur that piece of information out as you go. Also: did I use some random ass generator wheel for some of the super specific information? Yes. Will I change it? Probably not. Did I check if that kinda stuff was even possible? …Mayhaps.

When you finally make it into the restaurant and sit down to order, you immediately spot multiple people, mostly young women, pulling out their phones, trying to (not so) discreetly take photos and videos of the two of you. You could just imagine the headlines and hashtags trending the next day.

Charles is immune to this by now and smiles and waves at some of the phones, and ignores the majority of the others. 

Biting your lip, you scan through the menu. “Charles?”

“Hmm?”

“Would you mind recommending me something? I’ve never been here before”.

“Sure Chéri. Is there anything you don’t or can’t consume? I hate to assume, but I know that lots of Indians are vegetarian”.

“Ah, no. My family and I eat everything, so no worries”.

He orders a Tourte de Blettes for you and a Pissaladiere for himself.

“So. Tell me more about yourself.”

Not knowing how to go about this, you think for a while. “Well, I’m Indian, but I was born in Singapore, and brought up in America”. You count off a finger. “I was certified to be a music producer at a very young age, sometime in secondary school and I have a degree in forensic science. I really love singing, but usually only in my free time. I've actually been working at a producing studio here”. You scrunch your brows trying to recall any interesting details about yourself. “Um, I’m also a dance choreographer for a lot of Korean idol groups and produce music for them too, so I go over there from time to time… I don’t know. What exactly do you want to know?”

When you meet Charles’s eyes again, he’s looking at you with an adoring expression on his face. “You’re so cute, like a little angel. Mon ange” (My angel).

You blush in embarrassment. He asks you more about why you chose your major and what it’s like working with idols while you wait for your meals. “I’d love to hear you sing sometime”.

Just then, the waiter comes with your dishes. Whew, saved by the food! The aromas wafting off the delicious looking dishes are absolutely mouth watering, as if the sights weren’t enough. You begin to split your food in half, and he asks what you’re doing. “Oh- well, my family and I always split our meals equally to try everything, Sorry, I did that out of habit– I can take the piece back–”

“I think I quite like that idea. Here”, He splits his meal and gives it to you as well. 

…

After dinner, the two of you decide to split the bill, because you were unwilling to let Charles pay in full, regardless of whether or not he earned more than you. 

As you walk back home, hand-in-hand and discussing common interests, you find yourself leaning your head on his arm, and later, with his arm around your shoulder. 

When you reach the door to your apartment, he turns to you and moves a strand of hair out of your face. “I liked getting to know you tonight, and I hope you will give me the chance to take you out again”. You make a sound of agreement. Knowing that you aren’t quite ready to have your first kiss yet, you pull him down slightly and get on your tiptoes, kissing his cheek. He smiles and kisses the crown of your head in return, and then ushers you into your home. 

When he leaves, you send him a text. Thank you for the best first date ever.

[hydroyaksha]

Stray kids fic recs

A skz fic list for those who’re too lazy to actually search for them (you’re just like me!!)

If any of the authors on this list do not want me to put their work on this list, I will immediately remove it, please tell me if you don’t want it here!

Personal favorites - ❤️

Kim seungmin

Scaredy cat

Very short and sweet, my favorite line has to be “speed run this bitch”. I absolutely love haunted houses fics and both the MC and seungmin being scared just made this twice as funny!

The minstrel, Kim Seungmin

(Royal AU) fluff, slight angst (wandering bard! Seungmin x princess! Reader)

This was just soooo cute! Seungmin and the MC’s relationship was just so precious and it really encapsulates how you could fall in love in such a short time. Totally read this, 12/10!

Entangled

(Spider man AU) (spider man! Seungmin x dj! Reader) fluff, angst, more fluff

OHHHHHHHHH MY GOOOOOOOD!!!!!! YOUVE DONE IT AGAIN! HOW ON EARTH ARE YOU SO GOOD WITH WORDS? YOUVE GOT LIKE THE BEST AU’s AND STORIES IM CRYING??? I LITERALLY LOVE YOUR WORK SO MUCHHHHH

Seo changbin

Sun and moon

(soft! Girl x rough! Boy) fluff, angst(?)

This was a very sweet fic, changbin was always there for the reader when she needed it and it was just such a calming read. It was very cute how they went from a fake relationship to something genuine and it warmed my heart!

Outside my window

(Shapeshifter! Changbin x reader) angst, fluff

Had a great bittersweet ending and I loved the overall theme!

The prince, Seo Changbin

(Prince! Changbin x princess! Reader) Angst, Fluff

I should also probably mention that I absolutely love enemies to lovers, something about how opposites attract is just so pleasing to see so this fic was just a gift from heaven! Changbin’s promise to the reader at the end was just so sweet and warming, totally read it if you’re a enemies to lovers fan!

Sprouts and their Joy ❤️

(Brother figure! Changbin/ reader) fluff, angst

Changbin was so sweet in this fic, he was such a good older brother figure to the reader and was always there for them, when he finally said “I love you” I think I almost cried. This was such a touching read and I totally suggest reading it!

Don’t call me cupcake

Chapter one: Changbin

(Resident evil AU) (Agent! Changbin x agent! Reader) fluff, teeny bit of angst

Bang Chan

The unbounded knight, Bang Chan

(Unbounded knight! Chan x queen! Reader) angst, fluff fluff, a lil suggestive at the end

This might actually be my favorite of this short series, aside from Minho’s one. Chan just seemed like such a happy lil dude and the reader was just so sweet when she warmed up to him, their relationship was very very cute!

Cinderfella

(Cinderella AU) (noble!Chan x princess! Reader)

Ohhhh I loved the swapped roles in this, Chan was so mature for his situation and always upheld his manners, to top it off he has so much kindness in him too!

Can you lend me a crayon?

(Single father! bangchan x babysitter adult! Reader) fluff, smut, lil bit of angst so far

Gee wowza, I usually don’t read fics like this but whooey mama. 13/10 absolutely loved the first part and am looking forward to the rest! The wording and structure of the story is sooo addicting and the plot is to die for! Keep up the great work!!!

Butterfly wings ❤️

(Indian dancer! Reader x idol! Bangchan) fluff

I had to re-add this fic here because it’s absolutely everything I have ever wanted in a fic! As a kathak dancer myself, this fic was to die for and I felt like my culture was really being appreciated here! Bangchan really gave off the vibes of a fanboy and I found it sooo cute! 20/10 absolutely would read again and again!

Yang jeongin

Heroine addict

(Superhero! Reader x journalist student! Jeongin)

So so cute, Jeongin was such a determined student and all those things he did just to see the reader was so sweet, the last scene really touched my heart. I felt like Jeongin was such a careful boy when it came to interviewing the reader, he never asked her personal things! 20/10

Brown sugar

(Witch! Barista! Jeongin x reader) fluff fluff

Just started reading from this author and I’m absolutely in love this universe already, you’ve gotta check out their witch! Skz universe fics!

17.59

(Crown prince! Jeongin x assassin! Reader) fluff fluffy fluff

Blue and silver

(Silver fox! jeongin x human! Reader) flufffffff, lil bit of angst

24 to 25 ❤️

(Childhood friends! Jeongin x reader) fluff angst

Oh. My. God. The actual amount of investment I put into this fic was insane. I couldn’t stop reading it, both parts were immensely riveting and so much fun to read! The development across their ages was so well planned that it just had me wanting more and more. These two were the cutest ever 20/10!

Loving the monster

(Fae king! Jeongin x human! Reader) fluff, angst, there is some torture/ cruel pranks in this fic

Another monster fic that was so much fun to read! The betrayals the reader goes through and the trust she eventually puts into jeongin was so heartwarming to read, this fic was so enticing! 12/10

Speaking in tongues ❤️

(general! Jeongin x arabian dancer! Reader) fluff, angst, violence

This was an actual master piece??? It felt like an actual movie reading this story, I can’t wait to read the final part omg! The story building and the writing was to die for! I fell in love with all of the characters in this story as they had so much character to them! There was so much depth in this fic, I fell in love with the way this author writes. 20/10!

Han ji-sung

Anything but normal

(Spiderman! Han x friend! Reader) fluff, teensy suggestive at some points

This was so cute ahwbwnwakaoshwbwk, their relationship was very funny and the way their personalities were written was just perfect 12/10 totally recommend

Do you trust me?

(Nerve AU) ongoing, fluff, a lil suggestive (?), very little angst

Honestly I was so happy when I found this AU, I’m a sucker for AU’s and a nerve AU on top of it? Sign me up. It was cute to see how their relationship blooms from strangers to friends as they complete dares together!

The blacksmith, Han Jisung

(Blacksmith! Han x crown princess! Reader) fluff, lil bit of angst

Very very cute, this was like a one sided enemies to lovers thing but Han didn’t hate the reader??? Well- it doesn’t matter, the story was very cute and the ending was so satisfying. My fav line has to be the one where the reader talks about how she might as well become the first queen to rule alone!

Hear.t fm

(DJ! Han x best friend! Reader) fluff, very little angst

This was so refreshing to read, Han switching to DJ J.ONE and back was funny to read when the reader would tease him about having a crush on J.ONE, 13/10!

Young God ❤️

(Serial killer! Han x reader) fluff, angst angst, completed

Oh when I tell you this was good good, it was like a full 30/10 for me, Han’s character was written so beautifully and carefully it just squeezes my heart! He was always so sweet and careful around the reader, I really felt bad for him when his past came to light. Such a good read, I totally recommend this!

Utterly lovesick

(Bsf! Han x bsf! Reader) fluff, angst

Summary: out of the 6 times Han attempted to get a kiss from you, he only succeeded 1 time.

For my great friend, you ❤️

(Idol! Han x assassin! Reader) fluff fluff, angst to a whole new level

Oh my god this is a master piece, there is so much I want to say about this fic. When the reader started playing “M.I.A” in the fic, guess what happened to me? I was listening to the “this is stray kids” playlist on Spotify and it suddenly played M.I.A! This fic had me going through so many feelings! The ending was super bittersweet but with an extra dollop of sweet. This is a must read!

Love in cheese

Otherworldly

(Alien! Jisung x human! Reader) smut!, fluff fluff

10/10 read, but it is smut so if ur uncomfy with it pls don’t read!

Lee minho

The chancellor, Lee Minho

(Assassin! Minho x Queen! Reader) angst, fluff

Oh my god, this fic was too good, there aren’t many words I can use to describe this fic but it’s good, this is a must read! I loved how the author captured Minho’s love for the reader in such a beautiful way and it was so touching!

Metamorphosis

(Black cat! Minho x reader) angst, fluff

Cute and sweet, short but a good read!

A fairy tail that lasts

(Playboy! Minho x writer! Reader) fluff, angst

Oh my god this was just a bucket of sugar! Minho’s character was written with such love and I adored how he immediately dropped his past ways when he met the reader! This was such an amazing read, 30/10!

Green flames ❤️

(Slytherin! Minho x Gryffindor! Reader) fluff

Ok this was so cute and the TENSION between the two was so riveting! I loved this so much and would love to see a continuation! I re-added this fic here on the skz separate master list because I felt like it needed a whole other page of recognition! Def one of my fav reads thus far, 12/10!

Home

(Spider-Man! Minho x reader)

Soo cute, you could really feel the trust in their relationship!

Countless skies upon us

(swordsmaster! Minho x reader)

Absolutely loved how their relationship developed across the fic!

Hwang Hyunjin

In which Hyunjin must choose between you or dragonfruit

This was just a whole bunch of crack and humor, the short series was surprisingly funny to read (check out the Han one too!)

The thief, Hwang Hyunjin

(Thief! Hyunjin x princess! Reader) very little angst, fluff fluff fluff

Ohhh this might be my favorite in this AU and I just have to give it to the author, you really have a way with words, I always find a smile on my face when I reach the endings of your fics!

Sparks

(Assassin! Hyunjin x assassin! Reader) fluff (?), some suggestive stuff but never escalates

I’d love to see a part two! I liked the idea of the reader being a flirty jokester and hyunjin being a somewhat emotionless dude! 11/10

Guard dog

(Werewolf! Hyunjin x reader) fluff fluff

Summary: Hyunjin takes up a date from one of his friends and ends up in an adoption center for dogs. Everything seemed to bother him until he met you, the person in a wheelchair willing to adopt a huge “dog” like him.

Backseat driving

(Street racer! Hyunjin x reader) fluff, angst (not too much, a little suggestive but nothing too bad

I remember reading this fic a while back and it was just so good! 12/10 totally recommend

The duke and I

(Bridgerton AU) (duke! Hyunjin x author! Reader)

fluff, angst (?), smut (you can skip it tho, i did it and it still made sense without the scenes)

Oh my god this was super good, I love how Hyunjin was always supportive of the reader’s writing and how he encouraged her and was honest with critiques. 14/10 you have to read it!

Back in time

(Prince! Hyunjin x reader) fluff, angst

God the ending really touched my heart, I hope for a part two or something like a continuation of this. I love how open the reader is and how nonchalant she can be sometimes, it just made her so charming! She and Hyunjin made such a good pair in this story!

Forward in time

(King! Hyunjin x Reporter! Reader) fluff, angst (?)

THISSSS!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!! So this was basically an alternate version of the last fic and I loved it so much!! Hyunjin was honestly so hilarious in this story, the hair scene was definitely my favorite!

Android! Hyunjin

(Android! Hyunjin x reader) fluff fluff, teeny bit of angst

A thump in the night

(Vampire bat AU) (bat! Hyunjin x reader) fluff fluff

You’re short and he loves it so much

(Short! Reader x hyunjin) fluff

Lee Felix

When a flower blooms

(Gu ardian fairy AU) fluff

This was short and sweet, very very cute 13/10 recommend it

The prince, Lee Felix

(prince! Felix x thief! Reader) angst, fluff

This one was a little more sad compared to the Seungmin one but was super good regardless! I feel like their relationship is still young and that they’d need some more time before they really can understand eachother but this was totally a good read!

Hero’s soup for the weak soul ❤️

(Superhero! Felix x best friend! Reader) fluff, teensy angst

Oh My GOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDD!!!!! This author is so talented I swear to god I’m going to fill this entire rec list with only their work at this point. This fic was so cute and funny, Felix is pretty lazy but super affectionate and the reader’s just a diligent school worker, the best type of pair!

Off the deep end

(Rebel! Felix x royal-ish! Reader) smut, angst, fluff

This is such a good series bro actually I would buy this if it was a physical book! 12/10 I absolutely love how the story is progressing and can’t wait to see the end! (It’s also enemies to lovers so 👀)

Ot8 (poly)

Autumn daze

(3racha x reader) fluff fluff fluff, humor

You find out that they’re a vampire

Ot8 (separate stories) x reader (fluff, angst, humor if you squint)

Skz as your brothers

seperate stories, fluff fluff fluff

Covering you when uncomfortable

Separate stories, cuuute

…………………..…………………..…………………..…………………….

Other:

Authors you just have to check out!:

@luvknow

They’ve got such a colorful selection of AU’s for straykids and I just had to mention them! Most of this list would’ve been filled with their works but I felt like it’d be best if you all follow them to get updates! You totally need to check them out!

@jeonginks

Oooh I really like this author, their oneshots are so long it honestly feels like I’m reading the script for a movie. Their fics always manage to pull on my heart strings with the way they write their fics with utmost care! They’ve got such a colorful masterlist that’s definitely worth checking out!

@straykidshoe

Ok so- this author is absolutely amazing! A lot of their straykids stories cater to Indian/desi people and it’s so heartwarming! Even for those who aren’t desi, these stories are so well written that it’s an absolute joy to read! Not only that- they’ve got multiple AU fics which are to die for! Make sure to check them out!

[choicesfanaf]

Meet My MC

Book: Open Heart

Name: Arundhati Vidya Kulkarni

Face Claim: Bhumi Pednekar

Nicknames: Aru (everyone), Rookie (Ethan), Dolphin (Sienna), Didi (Sahil, her brother)

Date of Birth: 10th September, 1989

Love Interest: Ethan Ramsey

Occupation: Head of Diagnostic Team at Edenbrook

Hometown: Brookyln, NY

Family: Dilip Kulkarni (Father), Nandita Kulkarni (mother), Sahil Kulkarni (younger brother), Mr. Whiskers (cat)

Education: Harvard University

Height: 5'3''

Random Facts:

Arundhati was named after her late aunt, who died when she was 12, becasue of a brain tumour.

Her middle name was given because her parents wanted her to be wise and intelligent.

Aru moved to the US at the age of 11 after her dad got an opportunity to work in New York.

Aru always had always wanted to become a doctor, due to her grandpa telling her interesting stories about treating people and  who was a doctor and treated a lot of patients during the 1940s. He was furious at the way the Britishers were treating his fellow Indians. As a result, he vowed to save every ill person he saw and decided to become a doctor.

Her grandpa sometimes used to take her to his clinic for fun. Many times, he would explain the case to her in a simple way and explain to her what was going wrong.

She was in awe of how quickly he could find out what had gone wrong with his patients and solve their problems.

Dr. Ethan Ramsey's book, Diagnostic Principles helped her solidify her decision as she realised her immense fascination and love of medicine.

When she got into Edenbrook, she was eager, yet nervous to finally meet and work under her idol, Dr. Ethan Ramsey

Aru’s favourite festival is Holi, the festival of colours. She loves to run around and put colour in everyone’s hair/ face (given they are okay with it).

She has a birthmark on her back as well as her thigh, which Ethan absolutely loves

Tagging: @peonierose, @choicesficwriterscreations, @jamespotterthefirst, @rookiemartin, @quixoticdreamer16

[marali-iin]

The path to become an Idol

TW: mentions of S.A, Gender dysphoria, attempt of murder and mental disorders

Mifuyu Chō, a survivor of a brutal SA at the age of 11 who found comfort on pretty idols during her recovery in the hospital now at the age of 16 aspires to work hard to become an Idol so they can bring happiness and hope to other people just as the one she received in the hospital.

I just wish to make everyone around happy and help them ease their problems away with music!

Sol Butala, a trans girl that doesn't have the support of her parents. As her dysmorphia keeps as a struggle to her everyday life at the age of 15, Elliott jus doesn't seem like his own name or self anymore. She's so immersed in how it hurts to be living as someone who you don't are so your parents don't hate you losses her light in life and isolates from the people she and things she once loved.

The whole world is loud and goes too fast, but Mifuyu's voice is the only comfort that I need to don't get lost in my mind

Mei Swan, a gifted child in sports that's known for always winning first place. Swimming, Running, Basketball, Tennis, Baseball, Dancing, you name the sport and she wins. At the young age of 17 she seems to have such a bright career and future, only if she also saw it that way. It just feels like empty trophies on her desk, winning is more an obligation than a gift now, but how could she even disappoint her loving parents who have always given nothing but support.

If it's not number one then why even try? Mom deserves a perfect daughter after all

Zenoko Azuyama, a retired idol who joined the industry at the age of 10 by decision of her mother. She was pretty and talented since birth, but such a pressuring industry in such a young child only generates bad things. At the age of 14 with an already eating disorder decided to quit after her mother had a mental crisis and tried to kill her, singing just lost any meaning and her life got ruined at such a young age.

I hate mom, I hate how she failed that time, she knew I was tired but couldn't try to actually end it all for both of us. I can't do it myself

˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧˚.🎀༘⋆—————

I DID THEM! My first complete character introduction on this app. I can finally start writing again after two months of not enjoying it! I like how this turned out, but I'll still add a little more information here:

🪻Mifuyu Chō

Non-binary bisexual, she/them. 170 cm, autistic + imposter syndrome. Korean, 16 years old. Has haphephobia, loves bows and puffy dresses. AFAB. Extroverted and good with reading body language, bad at maths, literature and physics but good at P.E. Has bad eye sight but won't use glasses, has a 10 year old younger brother, is afraid of cats.

Voice: Airi Momoi (Project Sekai)

💫Sol Butala

Trans-fem pansexual demirromantic, she/her. 168 cm, autistic, Indian, 15 years old. AMAB. Hates any type of chocolate instead of white chocolate. Terrified of insects, has astigmatism. Good at any science (physics, chemistry, biology) but sucks at art. Introverted, has two sisters (19 and 12). Seems like she likes Mifuyu (did have a platonic crush on them)

Voice: Xingqiu - English voice (Genshin Impact)

💜Mei Swan

Asexual Lesbian, she/her (might be changed to she/him). 166 cm, OCD + anxiety. Half Japanese half American, 17 years old. AFAB. Has Atychiphobia, bad sleep schedule, is actually very confident on her looks. Extroverted looking and good to talk to new people, terrified of actually socializing in secret. Good at fast singing, meet Mifuyu virtually

Voice: Ichika Hoshino (Project Sekai)

🎀Zenoko Azuyama

Aro-ace (possibly demigirl too) she/they. 172 cm, borderline personality disorder + bipolarity. Has anorexia due to being exposed to the industry at such a young age, Japanese, 16 years old, AFAB. Would have beautiful curls if she didn't stop taking care of them at the age of 14, currently using keratin instead. Loves chocolate covered strawberries and raspberries. Hates the taste of green tea and caffeine

Voice: Hanya - English (Honkai Star Rail)

Any questions will be responded + reqs open!!

[newssy]

Indian Idol Season 13 Winner Prediction, Finalists, Finale Date & Latest Update

The show Indian Idol is produced by Namit Sharma under the banner of ARSenic’s Business Empire’, heading towards season 13 Grand Finale after 12 successful editions. The last season of the show declared the very talented Pawandeep Rajan from Uttarakhand as its winner, whereas Arunita Kanjilal ended up as the first runner-up of the season. This was Indian Idol’s longest-running season (November…

[harpianews]

Pawandeep Rajan is the winner of Indian Idol 12, took home Rs 25 lakh, a car and trophy

Pawandeep Rajan is the winner of Indian Idol 12, took home Rs 25 lakh, a car and trophy

Indian Idol 12 has finally found its winner in the form of Pawandeep Rajan after almost nine months of waiting. The ‘Greatest Grand Finale’, which began at 12 noon on Independence Day, concluded with a gleaming trophy, a car and a check of Rs 25 lakh to the champion Pavandeep by judges Himesh Reshammiya, Anu Malik and Sonu Kakkar. Talking about his journey on the show, Pavandeep told…

[highresearch]

Indian Idol 12 Contestants Elimination – Who Got Eliminated

Indian Idol 12 Contestants Elimination – Who Got Eliminated

The names and reasons for eliminating Indian Idol 12 contestants can now be found on this website. Please take the time to read our post if you want to learn all there is to know about Indian Idol 12. We’ll let you know which Indian Idol competitors have been booted from the competition in this post. Aside from that, we’ll fill you in on all you need to know about the program in our story today.…

[dbpnews]

Indian Idol 12: Arunita Kanjilal gets emotional after Pawandiv Rajan wins, hugs in front of everyone

Indian Idol 12: Arunita Kanjilal gets emotional after Pawandiv Rajan wins, hugs in front of everyone

TV’s popular singing reality show ‘Indian Idol 12’ ended on August 15 after a journey of almost 8 months. Contestant Pawandeep Rajan has become the winner of this season and Arunita Kanjilal has come at number two. After this, Sayali Kamble is at number three. This was followed by Mohammad Danish, Nihal Tauro and Shanmukhpriya. After the announcement of the winner, Pawandeep Rajan and Arunita…

[a-pramod-sharma]

इंडियन आइडल 12 के विजेता बने पवनदीप राजन

#indian idol winner 2021 #pawandeep rajan winner

[harpianews]

Indian Idol 12's Sayly Kamble: Will leave a piece of my heart with all my co-contestants

Indian Idol 12’s Sayly Kamble: Will leave a piece of my heart with all my co-contestants

Sayali Kamble of Maharashtra is excited for tomorrow when the Indian Idol 12 result will be declared. The 12-hour ‘Greatest Finale Ever’ will begin in the afternoon when Sayli, Pawandeep Rajan, Shanmukhpriya, Nihal Tauro, Arunita Kanjilal and Mohd Danish will fight to lift the trophy. Describing her journey as ‘beautiful’, the singer said in an interaction with indianexpress.com, “I have always…

[writingwithcolor]

Being an Agender, 1st-Gen Indian-American

I’m a first-generation immigrant, with both my parents being Indian immigrants. My mom immigrated to Canada before she came to America (when she was in her late twenties), and is a Canadian citizen. She was born and raised in Ahmedabad, a city in Gujarat. My dad moved to India when he was in his early twenties. He moved from Ahmedabad to Mumbai in his fifth standard, and moved from a Gujarati-medium school to an English-medium one. 

My dad is more fluent in English than my mom, though they both are fluent and speak mostly without an accent. I speak Gujarati more-or-less fluently, since that’s what we spoke at home, but I can barely even write my name. I’m Hindu, as is my family, and a strict vegetarian. I’m agender, but I use she/her and they/them pronouns. 

Beauty Standards

One of the biggest issues in the Indian-American community is the issue of body hair. I’m AFAB, so I was expected to have smooth, hairless legs and arms. The reality was rather different. Since the age of ten, I had more body hair than the boys in my class. I was mocked and called by the name of a TV animal character, whose name was a mispronunciation of my own. No one ever did anything about it. I was eight. My mother, though she meant well, pushed me into waxing and threading and other forms of hair removal since the day I turned eleven. Even now, as a fully-grown adult with my own apartment and my own life, I can’t bring myself to wear shorts or capris without having spent hours making sure my legs are smooth. Body hair is a huge issue that needs to be addressed more, and not just as a few wisps of blonde hair in the armpit region.

Food

It’s complicated. Growing up, we had thaalis (with roti, rice, sweet dal, and shaak [which is a mix of vegetables and spices]) for dinner almost every night. When we didn’t, it was supplemented with foods like pasta, veggie burgers, and khichdi. We made different types of khichdi each time, based off of different familial recipes that were all named after the family member who introduced them. My mom had to make milder food for my sister, and while my sister loves spicy foods now, I’m still not a big fan. A side effect of growing up in a non-white, vegetarian family is that no one in my family has any idea of what white non-vegetarians eat. Like, at all. It’s kind of funny, to be honest. 

Holidays/Religion

My mom is a Vaishnav, and my dad is a Brahmin, so the way they both worship is very different. My dad’s family places a huge emphasis on chanting and prayer, as well as meditation. They mostly pray to capital-G G-d, as the metaphysical embodiment of Grace. My mom’s family, however, places emphasis on– I don’t want to say “idol worship" because of the negative connotations that has– but they worship to murtis, statues that represent our gods. My mom’s favored god to pray to is Krishna, and we have murtis in our home that she performs sevato every day.

We celebrate Janmashtmi, Holi, Diwali, Ganesha Puja, Lakshmi Puja– too many to count, really. We don’t always go all-out, especially on most of the smaller celebrations, but we do try and attend the temple lectures on those days, or host our own. We also celebrate Christmas and Easter secularly. I didn’t even know Christmas was a Christian holiday until I was in elementary school, and Easter until I was in high school.

Micro-Aggressions

Whooo, boy. Where do I start?

When my sister was in first grade, she had a friend. I’ll call her Mary. Mary, upon learning that my sister was not, in fact, Christian, brought an entire Bible to school and forced my sister to read it during recess, saying that otherwise, she wouldn’t be her friend anymore. Mary kept telling my sister that she would go to hell if she didn’t repent, and that our entire family was a group of “ugly sinners.” When my sister came to me for advice, I told her that Mary wasn’t her friend, that Mary wasn’t being nice, and that my sister wasn’t going to go to hell, and that we don’t even believe in hell. When my sister finally stood up to Mary and told her that she wasn’t going to listen to her anymore, Mary got angry and dumped a mini-carton of chocolate milk on her and told her that “now she looks like what she is– a dirty [the Roma slur term].” Not only was that inaccurate, it was extremely racist, and Mary was only reprimanded for the milk-spilling, not the racist remark that came with it. 

On top of that, since I have long hair, I’m always getting asked if so-and-so can touch it, or what I do to get it so long, or why I allow myself to be “shaped by such backwards ideals of women.” My name is never pronounced correctly, and I’ve been asked to give people my “American name” to be called by instead of my actual name. I’ve been called a terrorist, asked why I wasn’t wearing a hijab (by white people btw), and mocked for my food. I’ve been told that I wasn’t “really Indian” because I didn’t have a dot on my forehead. I’ve been told I wasn’t “really Hindu” because I had milk on my plate, by a white boy whose mom was a leader of a local choir.

I grew up in a town where only 4-5% of the population was South Asian, and there were a total of five South Asians in my grade level. The school administration consistently and intentionally placed us in different classes, and I never made a friend that was South Asian until 7th grade. When I came to the school, I was placed in ESOL without even being tested, while also being in the Advanced Readers class. The school didn’t even care to look at my school records before placing me into ESOL based on the color of my skin. 

Things I’d Like to See Less/More Of

I’d like to see less of the “nerd” stereotype, of the “weak, nonathletic” stereotype. I’d like to see less of the “prude” stereotype, of the “I hate my culture/feel I don’t belong” stereotype. I’d like to see less of the “rebellion” stereotype, of the “my parents are so strict and I hate them” stereotype. I never want to see the “unwanted arranged marriage” trope. Ever.

I want to see bulky, tall Indian characters. I’d like to see Indian characters confident in their sexuality, whether that’s not having sex (for LEGITIMATE reasons like risk of STDs, general awkwardness before and after The Deed, and wanting to wait, not “oh my parents said so and also I’m sheltered and innocent”), or having a new sexual partner every night.

I want Indian characters (especially children/teens!!!) proud of their culture and their heritage and their religion, whether that’s Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, or anything else. I want to see supportive Indian parents, I want to see more than chiding Indian grandmothers and strict Indian fathers. I want to see healthy arranged marriages, or healthy mixed-marriages. I want to see mixed Indian-POC couples, I want to see queer Indian couples.

I want to see body hair on female-presenting characters, I want to see more of India that isn’t “bustling market with the scent of spices in the air” and “poor slums rampant with disease” and “Taj Mahal”. I want to see casual mentions of prayer and Hinduism and Indian culture (a short “My mom’s at the temple, she can’t come pick us up” or a “what is it? i’m in the middle of a holi fight! eep! ugh, gulaab in my mouth” over a phone call, or a “she won’t answer until 12– she’s in her Bharatnatyam class/Gurukul class/doing seva/at the temple” would suffice). I want to see more Indian languages represented than just Hindi. There’s Tamil, Gujarati, Marathi, Nepali, and Kashmiri, just off the top of my head. The language your character speaks depends on the place they come from in India, and they might not even speak Hindi! (I don’t!)

I hate that Indian culture is reduced to “oppressive, strict, and prudish” when it's so much more than that. I hate that Indians are stereotyped to the point where it is a norm, and the companies reinforcing these stereotypes don’t take responsibility for their actions and don’t change. I hate the appropriation of Indian culture (like yoga, pronounced “yogh”, not “yo-gaaa” fyi, the Om symbol, meditation, and Shri Ganapathidada) and how normalized it is in Western society. 

This ended up a lot longer than I had expected, but I hope it helps! Good luck with your writing :)

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[diceriadelluntore]

Storia Di Musica #172 - Etna, Etna, 1975

Il disco di oggi racconta una delle storie più particolari e simpatiche del progressive italiano, ed è la storia di 4 ragazzi siciliani. i fratelli Antonio e Agostino Marangolo, con il chitarrista Carlo Pennisi e col basso di Elio Volpini nel 1971 pubblicano il loro disco d’esordio, a nome Flea On The Honey per la minuscola casa discografica Delta. Il disco e la produzione nascono con l'idea di far passare i quattro isolani per inglesi, tanto che nei crediti Antonio diventa Tony, Agostino Dustin, Carlo Charlie e Elio Nigel, in un disco dove i testi, i titoli delle canzoni, i crediti in copertina e le ispirazioni musicali (tra Beatles, Pink Floyd e Cream) rimandano tutti alla musica anglosassone. Il disco passò praticamente inosservato, nonostante già all’epoca fosse chiaro come i quattro siciliani fossero dei signor musicisti. Ma tempo un anno e nel 1972 cambiano nome e pubblicano, come Flea, l’album Uomini e Topi: messi sotto contratto dalla Fonit, che produce e registra magistralmente, il disco, che stavolta è cantato in italiano, è uno di quelli strumentalmente più ispirati e tecnicamente migliori del periodo; la leggendaria Uomini e Topi, che nei suoi 20 minuti occupa tutta la prima facciata dell’LP, si sviluppa nelle tre classiche stanze di introduzione, svolgimento e finale a richiamo del tema principale, e nel brano di chiusura, Angelo Timido, c’è un clamoroso assolo raddoppiato di Pennisi, uno dei migliori del periodo. Il successo è comunque discreto, ma sia tra gli addetti ai lavori che tra i fan del progressive è chiaro che musicalmente i siciliani sono tra i massimi esponenti per tecnica, qualità e gusto musicale. Infatti l’anno successivo inizia una specie di diaspora dei membri dei Flea per collaborare con altri gruppi: il bassista Elio Volpini si aggiunse a L’Uovo di Colombo (mitico quartetto, autore di un grande disco, con lo stesso titolo della band, nel 1973), il tastierista Antonio Marangolo collaborò come session man all’album della Famiglia degli Ortega (1973, una sorta di ensemble a 12 elementi fondata a Genova dai fratelli venezuelani Ruben e Nestor Ortega) e  Agostino Marangolo (poi seguito da Antonio) iniziò a collaborare con i futuri Goblin, entrando in pianta stabile dal 1975 sostituendo Walter Martino (figlio del popolare crooner italiano Bruno Martino e anno d’inizio dell’esplosione dei Goblin come esecutori delle colonne sonore dei film di Dario Argento). Lo stesso Pennisi entrerà a far parte dei Goblin nel 1979. Eppure i quattro non dimenticarono la propria dimensione solidale e non si persero di vista. Con l’ennesimo cambio di nome (un record l’aver pubblicano, con la stessa formazione, tre dischi con tre nomi differenti) 1975 danno vita ad un nuovo progetto discografico: gli Etna, omaggio alla Muntagna e affidato alla microscopica etichetta Catoca, distribuita dalla Fonit. Musicalmente, Etna è un disco meraviglioso, tutto strumentale e che sonda il campo delle contaminazioni jazz rock che in Italia verrà sperimentato prima da i Perigeo, poi da altre storiche band del Sud come il Baricentro, che non poco presero ispirazione dai nostri. L’unico vezzo del passato è il nominare le canzoni in inglese. Beneath the Geyser, è la prima gemma: stacchi contorti e ritmiche galoppanti si rincorrono in un calderone che unisce sapientemente la cultura jazz rock con quella progressive. South East Wind inizia dolce e dilatata, per poi regalare una immensa prova di bravura ritmica di Volpini, che alterna il basso al contrabbasso. Across the Indian Ocean, con il clarinetto di Antonio Marangolo, è quasi un omaggio ai cari King Crimson. French Picadores, che ha anche qualche vocalizzo, sa di bossa nova ed è più “pop” e rilassata dei brani precedenti, ma dove svetta ancora una volta la chitarra di Carlo Pennisi, che a distanza di decenni suona come uno dei più innovativi e bravi chitarristi italiani non solo del progressive. Golden Idol, dalle intricate e meravigliose linee ritmiche, finisce addirittura con un mandolino arricchito da un complesso giro di basso, che riesce a risultare vintage e moderno al tempo stesso. Sentimental Lewdness, con assolo di pianoforte di Antonio Marangolo, regala la chitarra di Pennisi che sa tantissimo della lezione di Jimi Hendrix. Barbarian Serenade è la conclusione meravigliosa ad un album davvero sorprendente, per le trame musicali, per la precisione degli interventi, per la bellezza delle atmosfere. I nomi dei quattro siciliani rimarranno punto di riferimento in ogni studio di registrazione, e saranno turnisti d’eccezione per decine di artisti e dischi: Antonio Marangolo si concentrerà sul sassofono; Agostino Marangolo è a tutt’oggi uno dei più grandi batteristi italiani, con decine di partecipazioni (da ricordare quella con Pino Daniele, suona nei mitici Pino Daniele, 1979 e Nero A Metà, 1980); Volpini,  diventerà un mito tra i bassisti per la performance in questo disco, e Pennisi sono ad oggi musicisti di fama internazionale. Rimane da dire che la Catoca fabbricò solo poche migliaia di dischi fisici, in un mercato dove se ne vendevano milioni, ma ciò non fece altro che rendere ancora più affascinante, insieme alla splendida copertina, uno dei dischi più belli del periodo, tutto da riscoprire.

[harpianews]

Indian Idol 12 Finale Live Updates: Annu Kapoor to host 'Antakshari' segment with finalists, judges

Indian Idol 12 Finale Live Updates: Annu Kapoor to host ‘Antakshari’ segment with finalists, judges

After eight long months, Indian Idol 12 is all set to announce its winner on 15th August. To celebrate the successful show, the makers have planned a 12-hour long finale. From 12 noon onwards, the musical festival will see six finalists – Pawandeep Rajnihandjob Arunita Kanjilalhandjob take a breathhandjob Sayli Kamblehandjob mohammed danish And Shanmukhapriya He enthralled the audience with his…