Let it Yahoo!

On this President's Day, as most of us are engulfed in an abundance of snow that has turned communities into mini North Poles, I can't help but smile. Even though, I will probably never end up going out and playing in the snow, I still enjoy watching everyone else enjoy the great snowy outdoors.

I am the type of person who prefers to experience the snow sitting by the window, curled up on the couch watching TV. My mom decided to take a trip back in time. I first heard the loud exclamations of "Yahoo" coming from the TV and I am not talking about Yahoo mail.

I am pretty sure that many of my Indian readers have already guessed what my mom was playing on the TV. It was none other than Shammi Kapoor's iconic "Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahe" song from a 1961 Bollywood movie. For my readers uninitiated in 60s Bollywood, it means "It doesn't matter if someone calls me wild".

Shammi Kapoor, also known as India's Elvis Pressley for his gyrating moves was soon christened the Yahoo man of India after this song. This song is set in the beautiful valley of Kashmir - the Switzerland of India. When Indians think of snow and beauty together, we think fondly of Kashmir, and this song is an epitome of the beauty and romance of a snow-covered Kashmir, even though some of the gyrations may require a temporary suspension of reality.

This song is firmly entrenched in the minds of an entire generation of Indians (my mom's and grandparents' generation), even though I had not heard of it till today I must still admit it is a truly beautiful and fun romantic song - the perfect ending to a snowy Valentine's day weekend.

Take a trip down memory lane and enjoy the video which comes along with English translation (try not to laugh).