Hello Kolkata Cultural Fiesta'

Eminent vocal artist Sutapa Das recently was a Special Guest during 'Hello Kolkata Cultural Fiesta' at Nandan campus.

Ramzaan Special

During the holy month of Ramzaan, Dawat-e-Iftar party was organized by Kolkata's 39 Ward Councillor Md. Jasimuddin at Marqus Square. The program was attended by hundreds of his well-wishers, including political heavyweights like Janab Firhad Haqim. Sudip Bandopadhyay, Smita Bakshi and others.

'Kabi Pronam' by Sristi Dance Academy

Sristi Dance Academy of Salt Lake had recently organized a wonderful cultural program at Rabindra Okakura Bhawan as a tribute to the immortal Rabindranath Tagore.

  Conceptualized and managed by Indrani Ganguly, eminent dancer & choreographer and the Founder-Director of Sristi Dance Academy, the program witnessed a bouquet of splendid dance recitals by about 80 children of her academy.

 Ranging from 3 years till 30, Indrani's well-trained students regaled the audience with their excellent and colourful dance numbers.

  The event was graced by a host of dignitaries including Madhabi Mukherjee, Paran Bandopadhyay, Chinmoy Roy, Dolon Roy, Paromita Munshi, Irene Dutta, Tochon Ghosh, Satarupa Sanyal, Sujata Chatterjee, Avirup Sengupta & others.

  Continuing her great social welfare activities, Indrani Ganguly handed over gift items to poor street-children who were brought there by a NGO - 'Disha'.              -Hello Kolkata Network

Dawat-e-Iftar Party

A wonderful Dawat-e-Iftar Party was organized at 17 Biplabi Anukul Chandra Street by 47 No. Ward Councillor Suman Singh with able support by Ward President Bimal Singh. The program was attended by a host of dignitaries like MP Sudip Bandopadhyay, MLA Nayana Bandopadhyay, Councillor Satyendranath Dey (Bulu-da), Rehana Khatun and others.                                                                            -Hello Kolkata Network

'HELLO KOLKATA FAIR'

Freeze Frames of 'HELLO KOLKATA FAIR' (25-27 M<ay, EC Block Hall, Salt Lake) where Business Met Art & Culture for sustainable development of Social Welfare ।

                                  

 

'Kalakshetra' in association with 'Little Millenium Kasba' and 'Shine Tution Center' had celebrated their 4th Grand Annual day program at the prestigious CLT auditorium (Aban Mahal), Dhakuria.

 The occasion was graced by the cast and crew from the film "Disha : The Right Direction", including the film's director, producer cum actor who is also an International Piloxing (Boxing,dance & pilates) trainer Mr. Moksha Verma.  Vishal Lewis follower, owner of production house "Teri-Meri Films" Moksha Verma is the "brain" behind and in front of the camera for the 45 minute long film "Disha". Moksha has already written scripts for 3 full length movie and 150 short length movie.The writer turned actor had to shed 33 kilos of weight  as he reduced from 95-62 kg in just few months for the film. The actor who only survived only on boiled diets (chicken, egg, etc) says that "Disha" is a film dealing with a very sensitive subject.The subject though sensitive has not been worked upin by any Indian director as of now.The film is based on a true story and deals with providing right direction to young generation of the country".

The occasion was also graced by other dignitaries like actress Sukanya Dutta (co-star of Dev, film Hoichoi), Sreekumar Chatterjee (renowned Rabindra Sangeet singer), Amitabh Ghosh (Music Composer), Debasish Bhattacharjee (anchor), Som Das (Mime artist), Lipika Manna (Director- Kalakshetra and herself an internationally acclaimed Kathakali dancer) and Tarak Nath Manna (Founder- Kalakshetra).

  Tarak Nath Manna & Lipika Manna vow to continue the great work of 'Kalakshetra' and hope to carve a niche in the world of performing arts.           -Hello Kolkata Network

4th Grand Annual Day Program of Kalakshetra

 Kalakshetra in association with Little Millenium  Kasba and Shine Tution Center had celebrated their 4th Grand Annual day program at the prestigious CLT auditorium (Aban Mahal), Dhakuria.

   The occasion was graced by the cast and crew from the film "Disha : The Right Direction", including the film's director, producer cum actor who is also an International Piloxing (Boxing,dance & pilates) trainer Mr. Moksha Verma. Vishal Lewis follower,owner of production house "Teri-Meri Films" Moksha Verma is the "brain" behind and in front of the camera for the 45 minute long film "Disha". Moksha has already written scripts for 3 full length movie and 150 short length movie.The writer turned actor had to shed 33 kilos of weight  as he reduced from 95-62 kg in just few months for the film. The actor who only survived only on boiled diets (chicken,egg etc) says that "Disha" is a film dealing with a very sensitive subject.The subject though sensitive has not been worked upin by any Indian director as of now.The film is based on a true story and deals with providing right direction to young generation of the country".

The occasion was also graced by other dignitaries like actress Sukanya Dutta (co star Dev, film Hoichoi), Sreekumar Chatterjee (renowned Rabindra Sangeet singer), Amitabh Ghosh (Music Composer), Debasish Bhattacharjee (anchor), Som Das (Mime artist), Lipika Manna (Director- Kalakshetra and herself an internationally acclaimed Kathakali dancer) and Tarak Nath Manna (Founder- Kalashetra).             

  Tarak Nath & Lipika Manna vow to conitnue the greatwork of Kalakshetra and hope to carve a niche in the world of performing arts.                            -Hello Kolkata Network

'Hello Kolkata' felicitates Trilochan Bhattacharya, an eminent writer from Bankura

During  a recent cultural program held at Bangla Academy, Nandan campus,  'Hello Kolkata' has felicitated Trilochan Bhattacharya, an eminent writer and poet from Bankura.

  Trilochan Bhattacharya has written 6 novels and innumerable poems, most of which are very much appreciated.

   The Guests of Honour who handed over HK Events Calendar, Memento & Certificate of Appreciation included  scientist Shyamal Chattopadhyay, social activists Narayan Majumdar and Tarun Sen.

   Asish Basak, Editor-Director, 'Hello kolkata' said that such a recognition for an intellectual from the confines of Bankura district will motivate countless others to persevere and develop the rich strains of 'Bangaliana'.

'Hello Kolkata Cultural Fiesta' at Bangla Academy

30th May witnessed a wonderful cultural eve at Bangla Academy, Nandan campus. 'Hello Kolkata Fair' celebrated its cultural conclave with a host of poets, intellectuals, singers & other vocal artists, presided by the veteran social activist Tarun Sen, Secretary, CPDHR..

 Environmentalist & research Scholar Shyamal Chattopadhyay, journalist Narayan Majumdar & vocal artist Seba Gupta were felicitated for their outstanding contributions for socio-cultural welfare.

  Talented vocal artists Sucheta Sengupta, Aparna Chowdhury & Susmita Chakravarty were also seen in this freeze-frame, along with Asish Basak, Editor-Director, 'Hello Kolkata'.

  Other special guests included Biplab Mondal, Sarmila Maji, Shilpi Snata, Dulal Sur, Sumalyo Moitra, Trilochan Bhattacharya, Madhumita Ghosh, Dipanwita Haq, Ritesh Ghosh, Soma Roy, Sulagna Banerjee, Prodeep Bhattacharjee, Aditi Sil Anupam Ghosh, Biplab Gangopadhyay, Piya Bhattacharya, Srijit Lahiri, Sonali Mitra, Kakoli Chakraborty, Shila Moitra, Nandini Nath, Chinmayi Bhattacharya, Sutapa Das, Priyanka Sengupta, Swati Chatterjee, Sarmistha Chandra, Ila Pal & others.

   "We like to assemble both newcomers & veterans under one umbrella and take forward the  rich vein of 'Bangaliana' (Bengali art & culture)," remarked Asish Basak, Organizing Spokesperson.

snaps of Hello Kolkata fair at Saltlake EC block

Shooting starts for Video Album - 'Surer Akashe 8'

A music album ’Surer Akashe 8’, launched a few months ago during ‘Hello Kolkata Cultural Fiesta’, is now going to be made into a Video Album. 

  'Surer Akashe 8' will be Hello Kolkata's 7th Video album & the very first with Ratan Guha & Biswajit Das.

    The VCD, to be directed by Asish Basak, will be released by ‘Hello Kolkata’ by June end.

    The credits of the music album are:-  Music Direction- Biswajit Das,  Lyrics-  Ratan Guha, Music Arrangement- Indranil Chatterjee,  8  Singers – Gouri Chando, Debuttam, Diya Nath Choudhuri, Shreya Adhikari, Dipankar Dey, Gitashree Mitra, Sunetra Biswas and Biswajit Das.

    Talented youngsters Pritimoy Guha, Sreya Guha and her talented troupe will now feature in the video. Shooting will commence from 20 May, Sunday at Kalyani & Kanchrapara area.

   Before this project, already Ratan Guha and Biswajit Das have lent splendid support for all 7 songs in 'Hello Kolkata's 3rd film - 'Chalte Chalte Bindass - Camera On', a travelogue thriller by Asish Basak, the music album of which was released by 'AAKASH MUSIC'

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3 AUDIO ALBUMS RELEASED by Zodiak Muzik

Could this really be the world’s craziest dance video?

It stars patients with leprosy, TB and many other conditions, doctors, aid workers, hundreds of youngsters from the slums of Kolkata, plus a 90-year-old woman recovering from a hip operation - all dancing their socks off to a soundtrack by British artist Rhy Lewis. 

This has to be a joke, right?

Well no, actually the video was inspired by two women who were cured of TB late last year by NGO Calcutta Rescue.

The were so delighted that they broke into dance in the middle of the charity’s TB clinic, surrounded by patients wearing masks to prevent the spread of this potentially fatal disease.

That spontaneous expression of joy provided the creative spark for this video involving patients, schoolchildren and staff across all the charity’s projects in Kolkata.

The charity provides healthcare and education for some of the most disadvantaged people living in some of the worst slums in the city.

It is difficult work, in challenging conditions, and the lives of the people it helps are very hard.

But they so often demonstrate a remarkable resilience and love of life.

Every day the charity puts smiles on the faces of so many children at its schools, cures patients of life-threatening illnesses, provides medical care and pain-relief for people with everything from leprosy to fractured limbs.

So the charity thought why not try and capture that positive spirit in dance - something for which India is rightly famous?

The song Living in the City, seemed like the perfect soundtrack, with its powerful message about how hard life can be in a city, and about staying and facing that challenge with courage.

Rhys backed the project from the start and has let us use his song for free.

British photographer and musician Jake Roos volunteered to go to Kolkata to shoot the video.
The film was shot at all 12 locations around the city where Calcutta Rescue works, from the roof of a school in a red-light district to a mobile clinic parked up in one of the city’s most deprived slums.
Getting things done in Kolkata is not easy at the best of times - with the heat, the traffic congestion, the pollution, language and cultural differences…
And it wasn’t as if charity’s staff weren’t fully occupied already.
On top of that, the three-strong film crew had just eight days to shoot it in!
No wonder the project quickly acquired its nickname #theworldscraziestdancevideo
Along the way, one of the crew narrowly escaped having his fingers sliced off by a ceiling fan while testing whether benches would support the weight of dancing patients, and another almost fainted several times in the 38oC heat.
But the enthusiasm of the staff and the patients for the project was exhilarating and kept everyone motivated.

After weeks of editing, the video has just been released on YouTube and Calcutta Rescue is hoping it will inspire people all around the world.

Chief executive, Jaydeep Chakraborty, said: “It is impossible to watch this video without feeling uplifted.

We are hoping everyone who sees it will want to share it with their friends, so many more people learn about our work which is all about bringing help and hope to people living in the most difficult conditions.”

Launch of Klocal with Bollywood Film "Khajoor Pe Atke"

Hello Kolkata Network : Located inside the buzzing City Centre 1 at Salt Lake Klocal, Kolkata’s newest restaurant cum lounge officially opened its door on Tuesday 15 May with the music launch of Bollywood film, “Khajoor Pe Atke”, a comedy film with small town characters. The film is the directorial debut of popular actor Harsh Chhaya and has Bengal’s Bickram Ghosh as the music director.

 

Owned by Rajesh Jaiswal, Giridhari Jaiswal, Rajesh Kothari and Supratim Roy, the interiors of Klocal has been designed by Mandeep Manchanda. Divided into three zones, the 94-seater restaurant and lounge is spread across 2730 square feet. The Bar and Dining Zone leans towards the heritage of Kolkata with old brick walls, giant wall clock and canvas paintings depicting the city. There is a Private Seating Area for bigger groups accommodating up to 12 people in that zone with a view of the dance floor and the DJ. “The highlight of Klocal is, however, the Rooftop Lounge with a stunning view of the skyline and divided into three kabanas. Guests can watch live shows and matches in a special glass projection. The entrance of the venue is also breathtaking with the staircase telling the tale of Kolkata. The elements have been chosen to give a feel of old Calcutta which has now become the modern city of Kolkata,” said Supratim Roy.

The menu prepared by Head Chef Goutam Chakraborty and team has a delicious selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian steamy soups, saucy salads, variety of egg based dishes, quick titbits, pizzas and pasta, North Indian dishes and desserts. There is also a Shisha and Bar Menu.

“We want to please all palates, all age groups and all clusters of people. Nowadays, the idea of only a restaurant or just a dance club does not work. People want both. When we go out, we want a place where there is great food, superb ambiance and good music to keep the conversation going. Klocal is where you can let your hair down and just chill,” said Rajesh Jaiswal.

Talking about the music, Bickram Ghosh said, “KPJ is a laugh riot, an Everyman’s Story so I retained my own style – ethnic elements with folk influences. Harsh has himself penned the lyrics of three songs and I must say he is a brilliant writer. The music of the film has a refreshing “live” feel to it.” Timir Biswas and Ujjaini Mukherjee, who have lent their voices to the songs, were also present at the launch long with other dignitaries like actor Saswata Chatterjee, danseuse Tanushree Shankar, actress Jaya Seal and singers Rupam and Iman Chakraborty among others.

Unique Token of Appreciation

'HELLO KOLKATA Events Calendar', an innovative collage of various events of a year was presented as a token of appreciation to revered Guruji Sri Binoy Maharaj by eminent vocal artist Aparna Chowdhury during the recently held 'Hello Kolkata Cultural Fiesta' at Nandan campus.

Talents galore at 'Dancers Forum'

Hello Kolkata Network:   Talented students of 'DANCERS FORUM', a cultural academy based in Behala Chanditala area, had recently performed with distinction in 'Indo-Bangladesh Harmonica', presenetd by a Bangladeshi NGO ' Apu siksha o Paribesh Unnayan Foundation' & 'Hello Kolkata'.Choreographers Prerana & Mousumi Ghosh were elated with the efforts of the young ones. The members of 'Dancers Forum' has already started shooting for 'Hello Kolkata's 6th video album 'STEP by STEP', directed by Asish Basak.