Celebrating 50th Anniversary

Bay Area Prabasi celebrates its 50th year in 2023, with a cadence of several cultural, philanthropic and educational programs, to celebrate Bengali  history, culture, literature and arts. The grand kickoff will be a two-day event held on April 29th and 30th in the SF Bay Area. 

Over these two days, we are arranging a series of programs to honor two legends of Bengal – Rabindranath Tagore and Satyajit Ray for their invaluable contribution to our art and culture. They are cultural icons who have put Bengali culture on the global map and have become an integral part of the Bengali cultural identity. Their works have stood the test of time and continue to be relevant today, inspiring new generations of artists and cultural enthusiasts. Celebrating them is a way of honoring Bengal’s rich heritage and ensuring that their legacy continues to inspire generations to come.

Goals

• Celebrate the original members and founders whose vision led to the creation of this awesome diaspora organization.
• Provide a platform for current and potential members to come together and connect with their cultural roots, to celebrate the bond that ties us together – our language and culture.
• Establish BAPI as THE eminent Bengali community organization of the Bay Area by launching impactful initiatives in philanthropy and community development.
• Foster a sense of community and identity among the current and next generation of Bengalis and inspire them to come together to  build the Prabasi of the next 50 years.

Event Details

Homage to Satyajit Ray

Satyajit Ray was one of the most influential and celebrated filmmakers in the history of Indian cinema. He not only put Bengali cinema on the global map but also made a significant contribution to world cinema. 

Since his centennial birthday fell during the pandemic, we feel like we haven’t had a chance to celebrate and honor him and would like to take this opportunity to do so. 

Ray’s films were a reflection of the socio-cultural milieu of Bengal. He depicted the everyday struggles of Bengalis in his films and brought the nuances of the Bengali language, literature, and music to the forefront. 

We have invited two eminent leading ladies of Bengali cinema who worked with Ray extensively to give us a glimpse into the creative genius that he was. Ms. Sharmila Tagore and Ms. Mamata Shankar, in narrating their experience working with him, will lead us into the world of this multi-faceted personality – filmmaker, writer, graphic designer, music composer, and illustrator.

Facilitating this discussion will be none other than the eminent economist, film director, national award winner Suman Ghosh. 

Ray put Bengali cinema on the world map. His legacy continues to inspire generations, not just in Bengal but across the world. His films were deeply rooted in humanism, and he believed that cinema could be a powerful medium to bridge cultural gaps and promote universal values. Something the world dearly needs today.

Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore, as we all know, was a polymath, writer, musician, and artist who played a significant role in shaping modern Bengali culture. He is considered the father of Bengali literature and music, and his works are deeply rooted in humanism, spirituality, and universal values. His poems, songs, and stories continue to inspire generations of Bengalis, and his influence extends beyond Bengal to the rest of the world. 

Sreya Gukathakurta, renowned Rabindra Sangeet singer, will enthrall the audience with her melodious yet melancholy, plaintive yet soul-stirring renditions. Her ability to bridge the gap between classical old style ‘gharana’ and new age presentation is sure to appeal to all generations of the Bengali audience in the Bay Area

Event Schedule

Additional questions? Please reach out to Bay Area Prabasi via email [email protected] or, calling 1-833-BENGALI