NJISACF 2010 Seats Available

All Free Screenings

Seats are available

Meet Seema Biswas in person

Details at www.NJISACF.org

Watch 16 films from 7 countries by 9 women filmmakers

Opening night film MIRCH starring Konkona Sen Sharma, Raima Sen, Boman Irani on October 29th at 8:00 PM

Festival Centerpiece LIFE GOES ON starring Sharmila Tagore, Soha Ali Khan, Om
Puri and Girish Karnad on October 30th at 2:15 PM

Closing night film COOKING WITH STELLA starring Seema Biswas co-written by
Deepa Mehta on October 30th at 8:20 PM.

YASMIN starring Emmy award-winning Archie Panjabi on October 30th at
Noon

My sphere, My Community, My Durga Puja

by Brinda Guha

Kathak by Kalamandir StudentsDurga Puja is one of the most beloved times in our community – every year we get together, tempted to see all the people we haven’t seen in recent months, sometimes even years. I still remember coming to Puja since I was 4 and 5 years old, hoping to see all the Mashi’s and Kaku’s, finding every corner of the Ukrainian Center with friends to find the perfect place to play games. Then being rushed out by my parents to make sure I gave anjali, even though I had no clue what it was — I knew it made my folks feel good to know that they were giving me their blessings for another prosperous year. It was by far the most exciting time for the entire Indian community that I called “my sphere”.
Over the years, it’s slowly been slipping away. Continue reading

Aamaader Durga Pujo

by Sharmila Sen

DSC_0770 This year Kallol celebrated Durga Pujo with a new committee and with a class structure. Unfortunately, some of the enforcers of this class system had none of their own. As one long time member expressed disappointedly, “Green tag gulo holo citizender jonno aar aamra bakira holam bratyo.” Life members, other members, and those who attend the Pujo celebrations at Kallol regularly, were treated with disdain and contempt, if they had not paid up for the venerable “green card.” One attendee asked, “Amaar $150er kono daam nei?” There was no answer.

Continue reading

Gayatri GaMarsh Memorial Awards For Literary Excellence

by Pronoy Chatterjee

gayatri_gamarsh_poet Gayatri Memorial Awards have been established by Ananda Mandir (Somerset, NJ) to recognize authors who have demonstrated excellence in writing through their published essays, poems, short stories or plays. The awards have been made possible through a significant contribution from Jerry GaMarsh, husband of late Gayatri GaMarsh. Gayatri was an accomplished author and artist – and a key member of the editorial team of Ananda Sangbad and Anandalipi, publications of Ananda Mandir. The Gayatri Award is administered through the Awards & Recognition Subcommittee of Ananda Mandir.

Two cash awards will be given each year to recognize outstanding works published in North America-based literary magazines within the last five years. One award will be given to an author of Bengali works, and another will be given to an author in English. Each award will consist of $400 in cash and a certificate.

Continue reading

Garden State Cultural Association Durga Puja 2010

Garden State Cultural Association
invites you, your family and friends to join in the celebration of
DURGA PUJA
at
Plainfield High School,
950 Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060
on
Saturday, October 16,
& Sunday, October 17, 2010

Program Details

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Puja & Arati 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Pushpanjali 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Prasad 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Chandipath 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Dhunuchi Dance 3:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Dinner 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Sandhi Puja 4:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Magic Show 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Cultural Program 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Cultural Program Line-up Time
Chairman’s Speech and Introduction to Board Members 6:00 PM
Opening Songs by Gayatree Sharma 6:15 PM
HEAT, A Fusion Ensemble Dance Presentation by Kalamandir , NJ 6:30 PM
Celebration of Tagore’s 150th. Birth Anniversary – Recitations by Partha Ghosh & Gouri Ghosh, and Songs by Sounak Chattopadhyay of Kolkata. 7:00 PM
Jhinook Mukherjee of Kolkata – Classical Dance Recital 8:30 PM
Chandreyee ( Bombay ) and Team of Musicians – Ghazals, Bengali and Hindi Songs 9:00 PM
…………………………………………………………………………………………….Read  More
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Puja & Arati 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Pushpanjali 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Chandipath 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Prasad 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Arts & Crafts Competition 3:00 pm Sharp
Dinner 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Baran / Bisarjan 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Arts & Craft Competition Awards 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Cultural Program 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Cultural Program Line-up Time
Soumyen Adhikari of Kolkata – nostalgic Bengali and Hindi songs of Hemanta Mukhopadhyay 6:00 PM
Amra Sabai Raja – A GSCA Production 7:00 PM
Suchismita Das ( Bombay ) and Team of Musicians – Hindi and Bengali songs. 7:30 PM
Drama – “Ajo Kahini” – A Hilarious Play by Sudipta Bhawmik (Ethnomedia Group, NJ),Directed by Pinaki Datta. 9 PM

Kallol Durga Puja 2010

New Jersey Durga Puja Committee of Kallol

Cordially invites you with your family and friends to participate in our 2010

Durga Puja Celebration

Durga Puja will be held on October 15, 16 & 17, 2010

At the Ukranian Church and Cultural Center in Somerset, New Jersey

Registration Information

Over the last several years we have had a large increase in the number of people attending Kallol’s Durga Puja which we are very happy about.  Unfortunately, as you know, the Ukranian Center Hall has limited accommodation in the main hall.  We have had to restrict entry in the main hall in the previous years in compliance with township rules and fire codes. So like the last few years we are introducing an online registration system to provide you with an opportunity for pre-registration which will guarantee entry.  We may not be able to admit you without pre-registration if we reach capacity. Online registration will begin on September 20, 2010 at http://www.kallol.com

Suggested Donations

Kallol Member’s: $60.00

Non- Member’s: $65.00

Student with ID: $40.00

Children [12-18 YRS]: $30.00

Children [Below 12 YRS]: Free

Patrons: $200 includes 2 badges

Sponsors: $500.00 includes family bagdes upto 4

Grand Sponsors: $1000.00 includes family bagdes upto 4 & complimentary 2 nights hotel room

(Reserved seating area for Patrons, Sponsors & Grand sponsors)

Program Schedule

Friday, October 15, 2010

Mahasasthi and Mahasaptami

Puja: 2:00 p.m. Anjali: 5:00 p.m.

Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Cultural Program: 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Mahaashtami & Sandhi

Puja: 10:30 a.m. Anjali: 2:00 p.m.

Dinner: 5:00 p.m. Cultural Program: 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Mahanabami & Mahadashami

Puja: 11:00 a.m. Anjali: 2:00 p.m.

Dinner: 5:00 p.m. Cultural Program: 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Kojagori Lakshmi Puja

Puja: 3:00 p.m.

Anjali : 4:00 p.m.

Vijaya Sammelani & Cultural Program : 6:30 p.m.

Dinner : 9:00 p.m.

Cultural Program Highlights*

Fri, Oct 15, 2010:

Parthasarathi Desikan ~ Classical Vocal

Sat, Oct 16, 2010:

Jolly Mukherjee from Bolloywood and Koel Mukherjee of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Fame

Sun, Oct 17, 2010:

Anirban Dasgupta & Sasha Ghosal

*Subject to change

Venue & Directions

Venue

Ukranian Cultural Center, 135, Davidson Avenue, Somerset, NJ 08873

Directions

From Interstate 287 North

Take exit 10 (Rt. 527 / Easton Avenue)

Go right towards Bound Brook and turn left at the first traffic light onto Davidson Avenue

The Ukranian Cultural Center and parking will be to your right

From Interstate 287 South

Take exit 10 for New Brunswick / Easton Avenue

Turn left onto Easton Avenue and go underneath the highway I-287

Turn left at the first light onto Davidson Avenue

The Ukranian Cultural Center and parking will be to your right

From Route 18

Take Route 18 from Rt 1 towards New Brunswick past the Raritan River and after the bridge, make a left at the first traffic light onto River Road

Go to the junction of I-287 and enter onto I-287 North

Then follow directions from above

Hotel Information

Kallol of NJ’s official partner for Durga Puja 2010 is Madison Suites Hotel. The hotel is located at about 5 minute driving distance from the venue and features spacious rooms with microwave and refrigerators in all rooms and the rate below also includes free continental breakfast. Follow details below to make your reservations with the hotel directly. In order to get Kallol’s discounted rate you will need to mention “Kallol DP 2010” during reservations and show them a copy of your registration during check in.

Madison Suites, Somerset NJ

11 Cedar Grove Lane

Somerset, NJ 08873

www.madisonsuitesnj.com

Official Hotel of Kallol’s New Jersey Durga Puja 2010

For reservations please call (732) 563-1000. Be sure to mention “KALLOL DP 2010” in order to receive this discount. You can visit them on the web athttp://www.madisonsuitesnj.com

Special Rates:

Oct 15 & 16, 2010

$60 + tax Standard rooms

$80 + tax Bi-Level Suites

Oct 14 & 17, 2010

$55 + tax Standard rooms

$75 + tax Bi-Level Suites

Durga Puja – Here and There

Durga Pratima Bisarjan - IIT Kharagpur Campus during the seventies.Few minutes ago an old friend of mine called to wish me for the upcoming Durga Puja festivals. He said, “It’s Mahasasthi in Kolkata today!” I wished him back, but it occurred to me that it’s Mahasashti everywhere, not only in Kolkata. When I reminded him, he laughed and said, “Yes indeed. But our Sasthi starts on coming Friday!” And he is absolutely right. Our Pujo in New Jersey (I am referring to the Kallol Durga Pujo which we both attend), starts on October 15th, Friday evening and that’s our Mahasasthi. The thought does give me some consolation that Pujo is yet to start and we have few more days to look forward too. But my friends and family in Kolkata have started enjoying their Pujo. They have started posting photos of their favorite idols on Facebook and Orkut, sending Pujo greetings through emails and expressing their joy and merriment. ETV Bangla is taking us through the streets of Kolkata and the online newspapers and magazines giving us day by day commentary of the Pujo happenings. And we cannot deny that this does cause a bit of a tinge in our hearts. Continue reading

Ananda Prabhat at Ananda Mandir

Ananda Mandir for the seventh year in a row will present “MAHISHASURA MARDINI”, the famous musical show, live on October 10th, at 4.30am.

This show has become synonymous with the celebration of “MAHALAYA” in Bengal and around the world for decades. Written by Bani Kumar and produced by All India Radio includes some of the most popular Bengali songs composed by Pankaj Kumar Mallik. On 10th October morning, some of our most talented local musicians will present Mahishasura Mardini in its full glory.
PLEASE COME AND ENJOY THE SHOW.