arduino python if else condition

i want to make if else condition about status of arduino.How could i make if else condition about status about arduino?If status of arduino is connected,i want to have "Connected" Message.Else,Message is "Disconnected".

def connectToArduino():
        arduino = serial.Serial(arduinoPort,   serialTransferRate)
             if(arduino.timeout = None):
                 print 'connected'
             else:
                 print 'disconnected'
    arduino = connectToArduino()