The Third Edition of Dance Bridges Festival in Kolkata

Thursday August 1: Dance Bridges Festival has become a much awaited encounter for performing arts aficionados, placing Kolkata firmly on the map of international arts festivals. This dance biennale founded in 2015 by Vanessa Maria Mirza supported by an international team based in the U.K, Taiwan and France has grown from strength to strength. Now in its third edition, there will be no less than 40 artists hailing from 15 countries to take part in this 5 day art extravaganza working around the theme of “The Sense of Intimacy” from August 1 to 5, 2019. Apart from Vanessa, associate director Dam Van Huynh from UK and artistic programmer Pierre Palluet were also present for the curtain raiser.

The opening day performances took place at ICCR featuring Asomates Dynameis Dance Company (Cypress), Tijmur Dance Theatre (Taiwan), Gabrielle Revlock (USA) a piece by Vanessa Maria Mirza and Martin Piliponsky Braier (Argentina). The festival saw participation from other renowned dance groups and artists like Massala Dance Company, Florent Schwartz, Harm Weistra, Julianna Ottlick, Compagnie Humaine, Dadans, Papia Chakraborty, Buoyant Performing Arts, Syimah Sabtu, Subhajit Khush Das, Stefano Fardelli, Parth Bharadwaj, Pintu Das, Van Huyhn Company, Pietro Marullo, Casey Avaunt, Diya Naidu, Purnendra Meshram and Vanessa Maria Mirza.

Talking about her experience, Vanessa said, “I was inspired in the beginning in 2014 to try to create a small onetime event in Calcutta for artists to meet and share their work, which developed into a festival in 2015. It had an amazing response from artists, audiences and participants. And so I dared to dream to create an organization to support the Festival as an International Dance Biennale with smaller events in between for years. I was lucky to be able to have an international team to support this as well as Indian based advisers and board members. I think it's important as artists not to be too easily satisfied with what we are creating and where we are at, and to be aware of what is happening in other parts of our country and around the world.”

Making this event extra special is the ambition of Vanessa to ensure the Festival is open to all by offering most events free of charge – apart from workshops requiring a participation fee. Performances and showcases will take place across Kolkata inviting the national and international audience to discover our unique city whilst watching some of the finest contemporary dance made today. Dance Bridges Festival has at heart to engage with local artists and connect them with artists from around the world. For this edition, 3 international choreographers have been offered the opportunity to spend a few days in Kolkata to create new dance pieces with local performers, which will then be presented during the Festival. The various venues of DBF includes ICCR Kolkata, Alka Jalan Foundation (Ballyngunge), Alliance Française du Bengale, International Management Institute (Alipore), Kolkata Centre for Creativity (E.M. Bypass), American Center and Quest Mall.

This year's theme “The Sense of Intimacy” reflects a wide range of shows connecting audiences to personal stories of artists from around the world. “We will explore performances in unconventional settings and bring the viewers closer to the performers to create a space for unique and personal encounters. We will look at how turning our focus towards deeper human connections may help us to cope with our changing world and society,” signed off Vanessa.

Meena Bazaar Classics at Hyatt Regency

Tuesday 30th July : Lopamudra Mandal, former Miss Kolkata and current Mrs India IAB 2018 First Runner Up successfully curated a spectacular Rakhi edition of Meena Bazaar Classics, that fused fashion and entertainment under one roof on Tuesday, July 30th, at Hyatt Regency in Kolkata.
The motto of the exhibition was to indulge people in retail therapy and help them choose their 'comfort buys', and staying true to its theme, Meena Bazaar Classics turned into a fun filled shopping and eating extravaganza, in an otherwise mundane monsoon day of Kolkata.

Around 50 exhibitors from all over the country were featured in this exhibition, along with spa, makeup and nails art stations, tarot card reading, tattoo studio, dessert stalls, live food counter, hookah lounge, active bar and much more. Fashion and apparel designers from all over the country displayed their creations, setting up stalls of ethnic wear, jewellery and even handbags and purses. The special Rakhi edition of this much-awaited exhibition also saw counters selling Rakhis and handmade cards for the upcoming occasion!
  Meena Bazaar Classics had its heart in the right place as it featured stalls of NGOs in this Fall edition of the much celebrated fashion and lifestyle exhibition.

Talking about Meena Bazaar Classics and her involvement in the same, Lopamudra said, “Meena Bazaar Classics is one of the most well-known events in the city and it falls within my responsibility to support the organisations working with social concerns by providing them with a platform. I have always been supporting the cause silently but today I am proud to say that I am in a position to do my bit for a larger cause, and that remains to be the ultimate source of satisfaction for me.”

A Indo-Bangladesh Awards function by Hello Kolkata

The much-awaited 'Indo-Bangladesh Hello Kolkata Awards' was held with great fanfare on 28th June eve at Calcutta Press Club amidst a constellation of talents from both sides of Bengal. But the universal cheers, and the loudest ones, were rightfully reserved for a heart-touching group performance by differently-abled children.

"Not everything was perfect, but their honest and sincere attempt is the best take-away of this glittering eve," remarked Asish Basak, Editor-Director, 'Hello Kolkata' and gracious host for the transnational cultural fiesta.

'Hello Kolkata Excellence Award' --'Indo-Bangladesh Maitri Sammanana' was presented to the great achievers of 'Opar Bangla' (Bangladesh), Mohammad Enamul Haque (Eminent Businessman & Social Activist), singer Sanam Sumi and Zakir Hossain Khan (Eminent Socio-Cultural Motivator).

The Awards ceremony was jointly hosted by 'Apu Siksha o Paribesh Unnayan Foundation' (a front-line NGO of Bangladesh) and 'Hello Kolkata' (3D News, Events & Films). The program beneficiary was a host of talented yet differently-abled children who are being promoted by Ms. Jharna Sarkar, President of the Bangladeshi NGO.

The special guests included Prof. Sujit Bose (ex-VC, Biswabharati University), Sandhi Mukherjee (IPS, ex-DM of Hooghly), Parimal Malakar (Naval officer), actresses Jayashree Khara & Boby Mondal, poets Sanchita Chakrabarti, Lopamudra Sarkar & Reetwika Banerjee, magician Somnath, table expert Syamantak Mishra, Yoga-Guru Chandan Das, Apu Sarkar, Nirjhar & others.

Special appreciation mementos from 'Hello Kolkata' were handed over to the Bangladeshi NGO President Ms. Jharna Sarkar and Mr. Haripada Sarkar, Secretary of the NGO, for their tireless work for 'Epar o Opar Bangla Maitri Samprasaran' (Propagation of Socio-Cultural Harmony between the 2 Bengals).

Award-winning Bangladeshi singer Sanam Sumi enthralled the audience with two superlative renditions, while the esteemed Awardee Zakir Hossain Khan (himself a veteran of 33 years of continued self-less service for the differently-abled) pledged his life-long support for the noble cause of socio-cultural welfare.

On behalf of 'Hello Kolkata', Asish Basak announced that soon a cross-border cultural fiesta will be held in 3 cities of Bangladesh, with full support of Ms. Jharna Sarkar, President - 'Apu Siksha o Paribesh Unnayan Foundation'.

Youngsters Nini, Devsmita, Suman, Pravin & Sukanya did wonderful coordination for the Press Club program.

Lopamudra Mandal, former Miss Kolkata and Mrs India IAB 2018 First Runner Up, curated yet another spectacular exhibition, the first Highstreet Market Via Moda of 2019 fusing fashion, art, lifestyle and entertainment, all under one roof on Tuesday, June 18th at JW Marriott in Kolkata. The event featured 50 exhibitors and designers from all over the country displaying jewellery, skincare products, accessories, handbags, purses and more. Different designers across the nation had set up their stalls exhibiting sarees, dresses, ethnic wear for both men and women and even childrens wear. Tarot card readers were present, along with other counters including gastronomy, active food counters, bakery stalls, lbar and a lot more.

       Apart from this, the event also held multiple contests, acknowledging the visitors with different titles, ranging from best dressed woman to the best skin and hair, to the most stylish Plus-size lady, all of whom were awarded by the eminent judges and personalities present in the event. Neither did the event shy away from including men in these different contests and saw awards titled the most stylish gentleman or the best dressed gentleman of the evening, as well. Awards were also given to the best exhibitors and best fashion display, and amongst the judges were some of the most well-known faces like Tanveer Khan, Payal Varma, Anita Dutta and others.

       Highstreet Market Via Moda, also had its heart in the right place with Lopamudra pledging to work towards doing her bit for a better world, ultimately addressing greater social concerns, in the long run.

        The exhibition featured a stall put up by an NGO, displaying a number of products made by underprivileged women, the sale of which would directly benefit the former.

         Talking about Highstreet Market Via Moda, and her involvement in the social cause, Lopamudra said, “After winning the crown of Mrs India IAB 2018 First Runner Up, it fell within my responsibility to support social causes and I am eternally grateful to all my patrons who have consistently been supporting my endeavours. But today it gives me immense pleasure to proudly say that I am in a position to involve more and more people and spread the cause of a better world, as I put in my humble efforts to make a difference in the lives of the many underprivileged women and children of the city. That is my biggest satisfaction.”

New way to loose weight

Dr. Sumit Talwar, Chairman, Bariatric Surgery, Manipal Hospital, Bangalore, has successfully  completed 1000 Robotic Bariatric surgeries. A formal Press Meet was organised at Kolkata Press Club on 14th June to celebrate  this success.

   Several important and useful weight-controlling tips was also provided by the renowned doctor.         

Nazrul manch sandhya

     

On 9th June eve, ’Kalidham Unnayan Samiti' had organised a socio-cultural ceremony - 'Rabindra Nazrul Jayanti' at Gorabazar Kalidham. 

    Mr. Amit Basu Roy Chowdhury, the Secretary of  ‘KOLKATA ALOR DISHA Welfare Society’, an upcoming social welfare organization, had supported the event and had collaborated with them. They distributed sarees to needy women, tiffin boxes, books, copies, pencils and food packets  to poor children to support their needs. The items were donated by generous people like Niladri Sarkar (President of Rotary Club), Amit Basu Roy Chwodhury and a few 'Kolkata Alor Disha' members.

    Several talented artists had sung and recited well to delight  all the people present there.

     A host of dignitaries like Ms. Piyali Basu Roy Chowdhury, Ms. Julie Saha, Dr. Saheli Roy Chowdhury, Mili Das and other were also present to support this noble initiative.                 

13th 'Hello Kolkata' Short Films Festival

Hello Kolkata' (3D News-Media & Films) had recently presented ‘Hello Kolkata SHORT-SCOPE’-- its 13^th Short Films’ Festival on 10th June eve at the iconic Birla Planetarium, Kolkata.

    'Hello Kolkata's Short Films’ Festival, now in its 13th year, is actually a platform to showcase the budding potential of new-comers. We will also select the best talents amongst them for our upcoming 4th feature film--  "GAME ON", informed Asish Basak, Film-Maker & Editor-Director, Hello Kolkata.  

    On 10th June, 3 wonderful Short Films, selected from 19 films, ranging from 2 till 21 minutes, on different topics of socio-cultural interests were screened, informed noted designer Annie Jain, one of the significant Jury Panelists of 'Hello Kolkata Short-Scope'.

     The screened short films are 'MAA' and 'Left Overs' (both by award-winning film-maker Rajat Tallukdar) and 'Black Rose' (silent film by writer & record-holder Reetwika Banerjee). The special screening of 'Hello Kolkata Short-Scope' included the musical'VOTE GEETI, directed by Asish Basak, that upholds the fact that Elections are an inseparable part of our life and civil society.

  The next rounds of screening for 'Hello Kolkata Short-Scope' will happen on 30th June at Bangur Kolokakuli, A total of 12 films will be screened in this 13th edition of Short Films Fest, selected from about 50-odd films.

      The novel concepts and interlinked social messages made this ‘Hello Kolkata’ endeavour an entertaining yet informative presentation, remarked talented model, actress & educationist Ms. Arpita Bose, one of the Special Guests for the show.

       'Hello Kolkata's Short Films’ Festival, now in its 13th year, is actually a platform to showcase the budding potential of new-comers. We will also select the best talents amongst them for our upcoming 4th feature film--  "GAME ON", informed Asish Basak, Film-Maker and Editor-Director, Hello Kolkata.  

    Apart from short films, the cultural eve also witnessed felicitation of special achievers from diverse sectors of the society including Ms. Arpita Bose as 'Hello Kolkata STYLE ICON', Magician Somnath, musical geniuses Sarod Baba, Jhumki Sen and Gayaki Mata, poet Soumitra Ghosh and entrepreneur Rudra Sen.