Mike Myers’ new comedy “The Love Guru” is creating a furor amongst many Hindus. Based on the trailer of the upcoming summer movie, many Hindu leaders are claiming the film lampoons their religion and throws around many Hindu terms frivolously. Some Hindu groups have even requested that India’s Central Board of Film Certification and Ministry of Information ban screenings of the movie entirely in India, home to the majority of the world’s 1 Billion Hindus.

Bhavna Shinde of the Hindu organization Janjagruti Samiti and Sanatan Society for Scientific Spirituality, based in Mumbai, was quoted as saying in the Indian press:

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May 10, 2008 is Pangea Day, when Kigali, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, and Rio de Janeiro will produce a 4-hour program of films, music and speakers broadcast live at the same time all over the world. According to the festival site, “Pangea Day plans to use the power of film to bring the world a little closer together.” Check out this video explaining the concept.

and visit pangeaday.org for events, info and ways to get involved.

The TakePart Top 10 Weekly Roundup is a compilation of the week’s most notable stories from our entertainment-meets-social-action blogging network. Check out our most popular articles of the week on a variety of subjects, as well as a few TakePart blogger favorites.

Katie:

Dean Karmen Shows Steven Colbert How To Filter Water

St Patricks Day Goes Green with Green Beer: Top 10 Eco Beers

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Nicole:

East Meets West at Dubai Art Fair, But Shadow of Migrant Labor Remains

TakePart’s “I Am Voting For” Campaign Wants You To Vote the Issues

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Giulia:

Simon Cowell Gives Big

Scarlett Johansson Dates For Charity

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Gina:

Top 10 Easter Films

Top 10 Films That Have Helped to Frame the War in Iraq

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Kerry:

Aqua Colbert Massage In a Bottle

Dakota the Mummified Duckbilled Dinosaur Gets Its Rocks Off

East meets West at Art Dubai, the first annual contemporary art fair to take place in this dynamic city, where cultural partnerships and a stimulating dialogue on contemporary art are being fostered and enriched. The fair began on March 19th and will continue to run through March 22nd. Almost 70 galleries in 30 different countries are participating, including those in the Middle East, North America, South America, Africa and Australia. The UAE has already received much attention for being the future second home of the Louvre, and Dubai specifically for its chic cosmopolitan nightlife, glitzy hotels, and opulent skyscrapers.

On the margins of this cultural courting, however, are some headlining South Asian artists who feature themes in their work reminiscent of the UAE’s longstanding issues regarding migrant labor conditions and abuse.

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Elephanta Island

January 14

Today we visited the caves at Elephanta Island east of Mumbai. A UNESCO heritage site, the caves were carved out of rock and into sculptures of Shiva sometime between the fifth and eighth century. Some of the statues are in pretty rough shape. When the Portuguese weren’t busy saving Indian souls, they used the sacred Hindu statues for target practice. Kind of makes you understand why Gandhi, when asked his opinion on Western Civilization, said “I think it would be a good idea!”

 Madonna paid a visit to a Mumbai shantytown today, according to the AP. The pop icon was showered with rose petals on her arrival, and spent about 45 minutes visiting with residents of the crowded slum.No word on what the trip’s about. As the AP noted, “Madonna didn’t speak to journalists, and a New York-based spokeswoman for the 49-year-old singer wasn’t immediately available for comment.”