Detroit Banga Sammelan 2007 Countdown

Goodbye Detroit, Welcome Toronto.....

Banga Sammelan 2007 Post-conference Episode

A month ago, Detroit was brimming with excitement! The final moments before Banga Sammelan. And then in a flash, it was over, leaving behind some wonderful memories. Our final episode in this series relives those memories - Ustad Amjad Ali and his sons, Chandrabindoo, Bikram Ghosh and Rhythmscape, Shreya Ghoshal, Babul Supriyo, Rezwana Chaudhuri, Nandikar, Literary greats, Women’s Forum, Youth Forum - the list goes on. And then there were the film sessions, where the audience chatted with the Tollygunge stars - Rituparno Ghosh, Prasenjit, Sandhya Ray, Biplab Chatterjee, Sudeshna Roy, Jisshu and Sreelekha - excellently moderated by journalist Gautam Bhattacharya. Hear the program snippets, listen to Rituparno, Prasenjit and Jisshu's reactions. And hear how the attendees enjoyed the weekend. As the Detroit event came to a close, the spotlight is now on Toronto. Listen to what the next hosts have to say. And don't forget to check out the images and the videos from NABC 2007 in our Photo/Video Gallery.


	*Episode 9 - July 25, 2007*


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Business Forum Preview

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NABC2007 Business Forum

June 28, 2007


	Catch the excitement of Banga Sammelan 2007 .....

		Banga Sammelan, the biggest gathering of Bengalis outside Bengal and North America’s favorite once-a-year adda begins in a few weeks on June 29, 2007. This year, join in a little early. For the first time, the North American Bengali Conference comes to you in a unique podcast format. Get to know the performers, organizers and the events ahead of time. Listen to the artists share with you their excitement of coming to Detroit and meeting you. Hear how with you, the organizers are trying to make NABC2007 the best Banga Sammelan ever. Listen to this podcast on this website or subscribe for free through your iPod/MP3 player. Questions/Comments? We would love to hear from you.


	*Episode 8 - June 25, 2007*


	*The Final Countdown!*


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Its here! The 27th Banga Sammelan begins in Detroit this weekend. We wrap up our countdown coverage with a star-studded episode. In a touching conversation, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan shares many stories about his family's deep-rooted ties with Bengal. The concert with sons Ayaan and Amaan, Chandrabindoo's Bangla band magic and a spectacular opening ceremony should make this a memorable Friday evening. Bikram Ghosh gives us an update on the inauguration program. Saikat Mitra returns to Banga Sammelan after over a decade. Rezwana Chowdhury Banya, Sunil Gangopadhyay, Nabaneeta Devsen and Rudraprasad Sengupta share their feelings about the biggest gathering of Bengalis. MC Raya Bhattacharyya, Singers Shantanu and Nabanita Roychoudhury, Dancer Dona Ganguly and Journalist Gautam Bhattacharyya share their excitement. The organizers' voices come in the form of Susmita Mookerjee (Vice-Chair) and Chandana Sarkar (Women's Forum). Catch up also on the answer to the quiz in Episode 3 and listen to the attendees' comments. Over to you for the Final Countdown!


	*Episode 7 - June 18, 2007*


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With only one weekend to go before the grand event begins, we step back in time. Through snippets of conversations with Purna Bhattacharya (CAB), Jayanta Hazra and Debasish Chakraborty (Detroit), Asok Motayed (Baltimore), Sanku Bose (Houston) and Rathin Ghosh (Toronto), we get a feel for what it takes to organize a successful Banga Sammelan. The artist profile continues through conversations with Monomoy and Jojo. Organizing committee members Puspita Das and Sreemati Hazra provide a glimpse of the North American talents that will take part alongside the overseas stars and the noted exponent of Tagore songs, Banani Ghosh, talks about the dedication of her students from North America. Participants in this episode share tips with first-timers, talk about their favorite artistes, book publications and stamp exhibitions.


	*Episode 6 - June 11, 2007*


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Our conversation with Shreya Ghoshal continues as we learn about her early years in Rajasthan and the support and encouragement she received from her family and probasi elders. Her Pujo albums have been very popular and she picks a few of her own favorites from them. Another probasi, actress and dancer Jaya Seal reveals to us some details of her choreography, with Bikram Ghosh's music, for the inauguration ceremony. And the finest exponent of Lalon Sangeet, Farida Parveen from Bangladesh shares with us the teachings of Lalon and invites all Banga Sammelan attendees to enjoy this pristine form of music. From the organizers, Paula Gangopadhyay talks about shopping arrangements and Nirmal Das about reunion. Comments from registrants, vendors and gift give-aways round up this episode.


	*Episode 5 - June 4, 2007*


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Finally June 2007 is here and now only days remain for the Detroit Banga Sammelan. This episode brings to you Sandhya Roy and Shreya Ghoshal. The Film Committee chair, Dr. Amiyo Basu, describes to us the arrangements made for movie buffs. Rare posters, short films, feature films by Rituparno Ghosh and Sudeshna Roy would bring the ambience of a Film festival to Cobo Center. And a Cafe Cinema will provide the ideal meeting place for fans and stars, opines Bikram Ghosh. For music lovers though, Shreya Ghoshal is the chief draw. In a delightful conversation with us, Shreya narrates her Banga Sammelan experiences and her love for Bengali cuisine, especially home-made ones. The conversation with Shreya continues in next week's episode, where she would talk about her early years and her favorite songs. What are your favorite Shreya Bengali numbers? Email us and we'll pass on your request to Shreya.


	*Episode 4 - May 28, 2007*


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With just a month left for Banga Sammelan, the overseas performers are getting ready with their acts and travel preparations. We get a glimpse of the Visa camp held in Kolkata last month. The hospitality committee is also working hard to receive the attendees. Shampa Mukhopadhyay describes what to expect on reaching Cobo Center. One of this year's dramas would be a fun-filled affair, promises writer-director Sudeshna Roy. Listen to what cast members Biplab Chatterjee, Sreelekha Mitra and Ramaditya Ray say about the drama. One of the star attractions of this year's event, Bollywood singer Babul Supriyo, in a candid conversation with us, prides on his Bengali identity and shares some fascinating academic stories! Listen to this show and continue to win exciting gifts.


	*Episode 3 - May 14, 2007*


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As we celebrate Rabindra Jayanti across cities in North America, Banga Sammelan in Detroit promises an unprecedented atmosphere of getting immersed in Tagore songs and performances. This year we would be having Rezwana Choudhury Banya and for the first time, Sraboni Sen. Listen to our conversation with Sraboni Sen. Youth coordinator Meeta Bannerjee talks to us about NABC Youth programs. And for all lovers of Bangla Band music, Anindya from Chandrabindoo shares his excitement of performing at Detroit and promises a song-filled evening and lots of fun! Listen to this show and win exciting gifts.


	*Episode 2 - April 30, 2007*


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With only eight weekends left for Banga Sammelan, the excitement draws near. In this episode, we talk to Bratati Bandopadhyay and folk singer Sanajit Mandal. The Bengali cuisine then takes centerstage as we learn from the organizers about the arrangements. In a hilarious conversation Jagannath Basu reveals the foodlover in him. And we also announce the gift winners of last episode! Listen to the episode and win more gifts by participating in this show.


	*April 15 - Greetings for Bengali New Year*


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Listen to Poila Boisakh greetings from Bikram Ghosh, Babul Supriyo, Satinath Mukhopadhyay and a poem by Bratati Bandopadhyay. Banga Sammelan marks the North American debut of Bikram Ghosh’s Rhythmscape and Bikram tells us how his wonderful fusion music band evolved. He also shares his thoughts about the new Bangali and bangaliana in his music.

And you get to win gifts as well! Listen to the episode and participate by emailing at banglapodcast at gmail dot com or leaving us a voice mail at (206) 202 4797.


	*April 8 - Listen to The Preview Episode*


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Program Hosts - Piya and Deb Roy. Theme Music - Kishore Sen. Research - Piyashi Roy Choudhuri

NABC07 Coordinators - Susmita Mookerjee, Partha Chakravartti, Amitabha Sur and Dr. Ramaditya Ray

Gifts provided by Biswas Records, Pia Ka Ghar, Khadder, Gitabitan Archive and Bengal Jewellery

Produced in association with BAGM for NABC 2007 by PodioIndia.com