Bollywood (Hindi: बॉलीवुड) is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the Indian film industry. Bollywood is the largest film producer in India and one of the largest centers of film production in the world. The name is a portmanteau of Bombay (the former name for Mumbai) and Hollywood, the center of the American film industry.
Bollywood is formally referred to as Hindi cinema, though frequent use of poetic Urdu words is fairly common. There has been a growing presence of Indian English in dialogue and songs as well. It is not uncommon to see films that feature dialogue with English words and phrases, or even whole sentences.
THE TAJ MAHAL
Lonely Planet author Sarina Singh gives an interesting tour of the beautiful Taj Mahal. Enjoy!
Complete the sentences and answer the questions. The answers are in "comments".
1. The Taj Mahal is the most _________________ , most _________________ _________________ in the most populous state in India.
2. Watching _________________ _________________ over this magnificent building is on most people’s list of ____________________________________________________________ .
3. It is said that it is the most extravagant monument _________________ _________________ ever built and the story of its creation is full of _________________, _________________ and _________________.
4. How far is it from New Delhi?
5. How can you get there? How long does it take?
6. How many people visit it every year?
7. It was built by the 5th moghul emperor Shah Jahan in dedication to his _________________ _________________ Mumtaz Mahal, who died after _________________ _________________ to their 14th child.
8. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not a _________________ , but a mausoleum, which houses the tombs of the Shah and his _________________ _________________ .
9. What did they need to build it?
10. What happens if you look through all the arches?
11. Are the 4 minarets in perfect line? Why? Why not?
12. Can tourists go inside?
13. What does the legend say the Shah did to ensure that no other building could ever be built to match this?
14. It’s also worth visiting the nearby Agra Fort. When the Shah was deposed by his _________________ _________________ in 1659, he spent the rest of his days imprisoned there. He could see the Taj Mahal, so as he would die of a _________________ _________________ .
15. What is the “Oberoi Amarvilas”? Why is it special?
16. What’s her advice?
1 comment:
1. Famous / visited landmark
2. The sunrise / things to do before they die
3. To love/ passion / intrigue /mystery
4. It’s 200 km from New Delhi
5. The local airport is currently closed so you can get there either by fast train (two hours) or driving (up to six hours)
6. It attracts 2 million visitors every year
7. Second wife / giving birth
8. Palace / beloved wife
9. It took 22 years, 20,000 workers and 1,000 elephants to complete
10. You get a perfect view of the Taj
11. They are actually leaning slightly outwards so that in the event of an earthquake they’d fall outwards rather than in on the Taj.
12. Yes, they are allowed to go in.
13. He had the hands of all the workers cut off. The calligraphers were blinded and the chief architect was killed.
14. Own son/broken heart
15. It’s the only hotel where you can actually gaze directly upon the Taj Mahal. It offers every single guest their own private view of the Taj Mahal.
It’s opulent and all the facilities are absolutely first class.
16. Don’t rush the experience. Don’t get caught up in the day trip madness.
It’s a wonder of the world, so take your time and see he sunrise and the sunset.
Relax, you might just fall in love all over again.
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