Organizers describe 2024 Bengali conference in Chicago as “An Unforgettable Experience!”

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The North American Bengali Conference (NABC) 2024, held on the July Fourth weekend in Chicago, was an unforgettable experience, according to organizers.

Writing on Facebook, they described NABC 2024 Chicago, as a “phenomenal success” that set a new benchmark for future events. It was held at the Schaumburg Convention Center July 4-6, 2024.

“The energy, excitement, and camaraderie created an unforgettable experience for all attendees,” they said, promising a spectacular future event for NABC 2025, which is scheduled for July 4th-6th, 2025, in Toronto.

“Known for its diversity, culture, and entertainment, Toronto is the perfect destination for an unforgettable experience, the Facebook entry said.

A press release on this year’s event described the “A Musical Extravaganza” with its mix of the East and the West, as a unique and innovative endeavor on which work had begun months earlier.

The Bengali Carnival popularly known as “Banga Sammelan” set in Chicago this year was inspired by “Bangalir Baro Maashe Tero Parbon.” The concert featured Iman Chakraborty, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Somlata Acharyya Chowdhury, Koushik Chakraborty, Rituparna Sengupta, Armaan Khan, Rakesh Chaurasia, Purbayan Chatterjee and the renowned duo, Sourendro Soumyojit, who curated the program.

“Everything you can imagine is real. The discussions of such a program started a year back and then there was no turning back. My deep gratitude to the many stakeholders, all who greatly vested in this program. Big thanks to Sourendro Soumyojit for helping us color beyond the lines,” Partho Ghatak, Cultural Lead, NABC 2024, is quoted saying in the press release.

Jonai Singh, a key coordinator of the collaboration said, “As a patron of Sourendro Soumyojit’s World Music day each year, I had yearned to bring something similar to the US shores. There couldn’t have been a better partner than the united and strong Chicago community who hosted NABC 2024 to bring this to fruition.”

The event included the Chicago Chamber Orchestra conducted by Elizabeth Lucia Thomas, an ensemble that brought a unique combination – with an American-Bengali choir alongside the performing artists from Kolkata.

Ustad Rashid Khan was celebrated with a rendition of “Aaoge Jab Tum” by his son, Armaan Khan; Parambrata and Iman performed together a fusion of Tagore song and excerpts of Swami Vivekananda’s speech; Somlata Acharyya Chowdhury, Koushik Chakraborty and Rituparna Sengupta ushered in the Durga Puja festivities with their performances; the array of featured artists presented Bengali film songs of yesteryears and today to mark the Kolkata Film Festival celebrated in November. Also commendable was the young Choir, born/raised in the US competently belting out intricate compositions like “Durgomogiri” or “Ya Chandi” over minimal rehearsals, organizers said in the press release.

“For us, the organizers, this program embodies the spirit of the Chicago NABC, celebrating Bengali art and music on a global stage in an innovative format that reflects the juxtaposition of Eastern and Western cultures while preserving its inherent essence,” said Abhishek Roy from the NABC Cultural team. Roy went on to thank those involved in the hard work of bringing the concert together, saying it involved months of intense planning.