Celebrating Bengal beyond borders

Sanskriti of Washington DC, in association with The Times of India, is organising this year's North American Bengali Conference (NABC) in the Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, from July 1 through July 3.
Like previous years, this year too, the event has been woven around a theme titled Dekhi Banglar Mukh. Apart from a painting exhibition by the renowned painters of Bengal, new-genre Bengali films will be showcased.World premiere of Chinmoy Roy's movie 'Tenida', with screening of films and documentaries by President's Award winner Raja Sen, will feature at the NABC. Sandip Ray's 'Hitlist' and 'Nishijapon' will be major attractions. Also screened will be documentaries and short films by Satyajit Ray.
"With a galaxy of artistes from across India and Bangladesh meeting in Baltimore, it promises to be an unforgettable event," says Dr Ramaditya Ray, the Kolkata representative of NABC 2011. Actor Raima Sen, guest at the Tower film zone, says: "It's a great platform for Bengali films and the audience will be exposed to good cinema."
Cultural luminaries like Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik, Srikanto Acharya, Lopamudra, Jayati, Kaushiki Desikan, Madhumanti Moitra, Bangla band Bhoomi, Sunil Gangopadhyay, Aishwarya Basu, Sandip Ray, Raja Sen, Laisa Ahmed Lisa, Shaheb and Pramita Mallick will make it to the jamboree.
Kumar Sanu said: "I've always got an overwhelming reception from the NRI community. I'll be performing for the first time in Baltimore with Alka Yagnik. Apart from my hit numbers, I'll be singing Rabindra Sangeet."
Singer Alka Yagnik added: "Since my formative years in Kolkata, I feel at home amidst Bengali culture. I am sure it's going to be a great musical evening."
"It is heartening to see how NABC has grown over the years. I look forward to discuss art and literature," said author Sunil Gangopadhyay.
Madhumanti Moitra will be compèring along with Abheri Chourey. "It's a big event and the organisers pull it off very well," says Moitra. If singer Sasha Ghoshal seems eager to take part in the event, Lopamudra thinks, "NABC is like a big get-together."
According to poet Bithi Chattopadhyay, it offers a worthwhile literary forum. For actor Shaheb Chatterjee, it is more than an annual event that makes nostalgic Bengalis feel at home. Singer Srikanto Acharya avers: "It's a professionally managed event that has Bengalis pouring in from all corners."
Indian classical singer Kaushiki Desikan shares: "I am hopeful of a well-organised event this time. I'll be singing pure classical songs and semi-classical songs."
Dramatist and actor Debshankar Halder will be staging the hugely successful 'Missed Call' by Goutam Halder. Kalyan Sen Barat, who will conceptualise and design the opening and closing ceremonies, is working with the local troupe of Baltimore. Satyam Roy Chowdhury, MD, Techno India Group, says: "Usually, my visits are centred around business, but this time I'm excited about being a part of 'Goponocharini', a special tribute to Tagore."
The popularity of the event can be gauged by the list of sponsors: PC Chandra Jewellers, Techno India Group, Rice Group, SBI, Bengal Jewellery, Senco Gold, Amrit Bio Group, MPS Group, Tata Housing, Ruchi Realty, EILM, JIS Group, Tower Group, Shriprop Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, Peerless, Vedic Realty, Nnoni, Lemongrass, Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals, Khobor.com, Thikana, Shri Radhe Jewels, Pailan Group, Sanford, Mani Group, TV Desi, Qatar Airways, Arcus, Bridge Bengal, Colors, OS Infra, Saltee Infratech and Siyaram Infratech.