The Silver Spring Penguin

Photo: Sari at Chaubara Studio. Credit: J. Deseo/SSP

Editor’s note: Honestly, I don’t know whether the term “slumdog” is derogatory, as suggested in this article’s “Holler back” section. What I do know is that movie execs gave the green light to use it in the title of Danny Boyle’s Oscar winner “Slumdog Millionaire”. The flick took home eight statuettes, including one for best picture, in February 2009.

The day after the Academy Awards ceremony was a busy one for Mahima Poddar. The phone at her downtown Chaubara Fashion Studio rang incessantly with calls for Bollywood bling and the latest in Indian-inspired fashions.

It seemed “Slumdog” fever — the condition that triggers spontaneous bhangra moves and cheers of “Jai ho!” — had hit Silver Spring.

“Indian jewelry has an ancient style and intricate patterns drawn from history,” Poddar said of South Asian shine. “There are no simple, straight-out designs.” (more…)