Caption This: Carnival Style

Posted on by

Over at the Boston Globe there is a beautiful array of images on this year’s Carnival. Image number 31 is the following (h/t Yoga Fire):

Rio Float.jpg

I wish the image had audio – I would have loved to hear what I can only imagine as Samba-bhangra-fication. I’m guessing it’s like Chutney music, but with more sashay, if that is possible. So have at it, Mutineers. How would you caption this image?

This entry was posted in Caption This, Photos by Taz. Bookmark the permalink.

About Taz

Taz is an activist, organizer and writer based in California. She is the founder of South Asian American Voting Youth (SAAVY), curates MutinousMindState.tumblr.com and blogs at TazzyStar.blogspot.com. Follow her at twitter.com/tazzystar

14 thoughts on “Caption This: Carnival Style”

  2. Maybe I’m dense, but I don’t see the connection of bhangra to this float.

    Well…it’s Carnival, so it IS samba music. And out of all the Desi music out there, I would think the bhangra beat is the one that can be mixed most effortlessly with Samba music. On the other hand, Chutney music from the West Indies relies more on filmi Bollywood bytes than on bhangra – like I said, “I wish there was audio” and “I can only imagine.”

  3. Well…it’s Carnival, so it IS samba music. And out of all the Desi music out there, I would think the bhangra beat is the one that can be mixed most effortlessly with Samba music. On the other hand, Chutney music from the West Indies relies more on filmi Bollywood bytes than on bhangra – like I said, “I wish there was audio” and “I can only imagine.”

    Aah, sorry. Was focussing on the image, not the music.

  4. i was at the carnıval. the float did give me something to scream about but the music was consistently same fıor the partıcular school. so ıt was only samba. no bhangra beats sorry

  5. i was at the carnıval. the float did give me something to scream about but the music was consistently same fıor the partıcular school. so ıt was only samba. no bhangra beats sorry

    Ah good. We are safe for now. But sooner or later someone will do a fusion and when they do, we will have weaponized getting funky.

  6. I didnt know they had desis in brazil. are they desis, or brazilians dressed like desis?

  8. :I didnt know they had desis in brazil. are they desis, or brazilians dressed like desis? brasillıans dressed as desis though they got some details spot on lıke the sacred whıte threads etc etc.

  9. I would caption this with a quote from Lula: “I don’t need arms, and neither does anyone else, … At the very least, a ban would prevent fights from turning deadly.” And one from Lalu: “I work so much. If I don’t get all the comforts, I will turn mad.”

    It’s disgusting how smart I am.

  11. I don’t think it’s even Desi. I am almost sure it’s a Thai/Bali/Indonesian float.

    In the interest of the caption contest,

    “Brahma’s Ark”

  12. I don’t think it’s even Desi. I am almost sure it’s a Thai/Bali/Indonesian float.

    It’s not Desi. It’s Brazilian. If a Brazilian float has a bunch of folks in saris and a giant Hindu-looking figure in the center, what do you expect they’re trying to evoke?

    In other words, when someone shows you a picture of Lakshmi Devi, is the average person’s first reaction going to be “OH MY GOD! They worship her in Thailand/Bali/Indonesia?”

  13. Sorry, I should’ve been clear. Mine was a response to Puliogare’s

    “I didnt know they had desis in brazil. are they desis, or brazilians dressed like desis?”

  14. My guess would also be that this float is just Brazilians dressed like Desis. I was in Salvador, Brazil last year. I never came across any Desis, but you’d be surprised about how a lot of Brazilians just love Indian aesthetics.

    That reminds me of this really dumb but insanely popular telenovela over there, “Caminho das Índias”. Bunch of Brazilian actors & actresses trying to portray Indian culture … it’s nothing short of hilarious.