June 30 - Indrani Halder, Sandip Ray, Tanvir Mokammel

June 23 - Literature, Folk, Calcutta Choir and Aneek

We are now in the home stretch of preparations for Toronto Banga Sammelan. Kalyan Sen Barat describes the opening day program In Search of Nature and Calcutta Choir programs Alibaba, Glimpses of Bengal Folk Dances and the Closing ceremony. Noted Baul singer Prahlad Brahmachari shares his feelings on being invited to Banga Sammelan for the first time. Ila Roy, co-chair Literature, Women's and Senior Issues talks about these seminars. Sirshendu Mukhopadhyay and Suchitra Bhattacharya join in the conversation. Registrants of all ages are excited about the SaReGaMa winner, Aneek Dhar. Aneek talks about his rollercoaster musical journey. Next week in the final pre-conference episode join Indrani Halder as we discuss films and start the final countdown!

June 16 - Opening Ceremony, Drama and Arts

The preparations continue at a feverish pace for Toronto Banga Sammelan. Local youngsters share their excitement of being a part of the opening and closing ceremonies and other events. Choreographer Sukalyan Bhattacharyya describes the theme and details of the opening ceremony while Meghnad Bhattacharyya introduces us to the drama that PBCA members are performing. Niladri Chaki, co-chair Art Exhibitions, is putting final touches to a unique exhibition featuring his rare collections. Arnab Chakraborty, winner of the K for Kishore contest rounds up this episode. Next week we bring to you Aneek Dhar.

June 9 - Ustad Ali Ahmad Khan and Subhamita

The mercury rises across North America, literally as well as figuratively as the excitement of Banga Sammelan draws near. Opening and Closing ceremony co-chair Rubi Mukherjee provides a glimpse of the inauguration program. Shehnai maestro Ustad Ali Ahmad Hussain Khan feels honored to be a part of Banga Sammelan for the first time and shares some great stories, including how he came to play the signature tune of Doordarshan. Our North American featured performance is the tribute to Debabrata Biswas. Subhamita rounds up this episode with her songs and interview. Next week we cover drama, opening and closing ceremonies.

June 2 - Kumar Sanu, CAB and N. American Artists

In this episode, Kumar Sanu shares with us the essentials that we all prabasis miss - the addas, the phuchkas, the ghugni! In a candid conversation, Sanuda lauds the efforts of Bengalis outside Bengal to preserve the cultural heritage and talks about his favorite songs, Uttam Kumar and Manna Dey. NABC Chairperson Kajal Sarkar provides insights about Cultural Association of Bengal while NABC2008 Asst. Principal Chairperson Rathin Ghose summarizes the programs by North American performers. Registrants from United Kingdom to Illinois and performers from Toronto to New York join in the conversation. Next week our guest is Subhamita.

May 26 - Registrants, Musicians & Mir Afsar Ali

It comes down to five weekends before the curtain goes up on the 28th North American Bengali Conference. Performers are getting together with the accompanying musicians in Kolkata for practice sessions. We catch up with two musicians, Partha Banerjee and Sanjay Das to hear their views on Banga Sammelan. Registrants are getting ready as well - some to hear Nachiketa, some to take part in the intellectually stimulating seminar series. We are getting ready for Mir, the popular Kolkata radio and TV anchor. Listen to Mir's impersonation of some famous Bengalis! He will make sure when he is on stage, you'll get a free pass to the laughter club! The give-aways continue, so call and join in the fun. Next week our guest is Kumar Sanu.

May 12 - Food Arrangement, Ferdous Ara & Rupankar

While Bengali organizations around North America celebrate the Rabindra-Nazrul birth anniversaries, Toronto is getting ready to host the Banga Sammelan. In this episode, noted Nazrulgeeti singer from Bangladesh, Ferdous Ara talks about Nazrul's relevance in today's world and expresses her admiration for the Prabasi Bengali's efforts in preserving the Bengali culture. Food Facilities (logistics) co-chair Bapi Banerjee and registrants discuss about the food options in NABC. Singer Rupankar rounds up this episode, talking about his early days and Rubi Ray!

April 28 - Sandip Ray, Youth Programs & Bhoomi

The Countdown continues with less than 10 weeks to go. In this episode, filmmaker Sandip Ray provides a brief synopsis of the Satyajit Ray event that will take place as part of NABC film session with Ray exhibits and short films. Youth program co-chairs Sasha and Mayukh detail the exciting events that they are putting together to make it a conference within the conference. Preparations are in full swing for their celebration of Bengali culture through the opera style Balmiki Pratibha - entirely put together by the second generation. Popular Bangla Band Bhoomi share their excitement of performing in Toronto. Surojit - lead member of Bhoomi updates us about their preparation and takes us back to their early days. Registrants voice their comments about NABC to round up this episode.

April 14 - Poila Boisakh Episode

The Countdown for Toronto begins today with this special Poila Boisakh episode. On behalf of the organizers, Chairpersons Jaidev Sarkar and Bejoy Das extend you a warm welcome and seek your support. The stars are with you from today itself - listen to Poila Boisakh gretings from Aparna Sen, Subhamita, Mir, Kumar Shanu and Indrani Sen. Every episode will feature an interview and this episode's guest is Indrani Sen. In the next episode we get to talk to Bangla band Bhoomi. Listen to this series of podcasts, participate and win exciting gifts like last year. Wish you a very happy Bengali New Year!

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Banga Sammelan 2008 - Kick-off Meeting

Toronto sets the ball rolling...

The soccer-crazy Bengalis appropriately call it the kick-off meeting - the formal launch of the preparation for next year’s North American Bengali Conference - although the behind-the-scenes activities start much earlier. Maintaining the tradition, NABC2008 hosts PBCA organized a kick-off meet on August 25, 2007 at the Tagore Center in Toronto. The team presented their plans for next year’s extravaganza and if past is any indication of the future, we are in for a royal treat next year at the Metro Toronto Convention Center. After all, Toronto can draw from the experience of hosting twice this event. As the guests from US and India committed in their short speeches, it is a huge collaborative effort - one where the final celebration for the organizers has to wait till the curtains drop on July 6.

We were there to capture highlights of the occasion. Enjoy the video. Keep checking back as we take you through to July 4.

For online registration and event details visit NABC2008 website.