Anupam Roy In Mumbai At The Banga Sanskriti Utsav: Few Glimpses Behind The Scenes

 The amazing Rishabh and Sandipan

 Rana - who manages it all

For whom the audience craves - Anupam Roy

 The guy who makes it all come together - 'bhaida' Shomi Chatterjee

 Waiting to come back later - Nobby

 The bachcha of the band - Rono and Sandipan in the background

 All set for later

And finally.......

- Debolina Raja Gupta

Anupam Roy Music: Should Come With An Insomnia Warning!

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Yes, it's a requisite I would say.....just how many times have you listened to an Anupam Roy song without realizing how long you've been listening?

Ask me and I will say...well...not many times, just about almost every day maybe! Huh!

So picture this....

It's late at night and I wrap up my work. The clock says something around midnight or past. Finally, all work done, I know I will relax now, read a book, listen to some music, watch a video or two....and I end up - well - listening to music, and one particular playlist at that.

Everyone is sleeping, the lights have been switched off and a cool breeze is flowing through the house, bringing in the scent of the sea and the hills.....I go and sit on my balcony, looking out at the few dots of light that are still on and will stay up with me....It's a magical time, especially with the magic in my ears.

And then begins the phase of listening and living the music.....

Headphones on....
Singing along to the main vocals.
Singing along to the backup vocals.
Moving my head to the music.
Headbanging.
Humming.
Eyes wide open.
Mind wide open.
Air drumming.
Air pianoing.
All imagining.
All living...


And living and living and loving...

And the clock says 3:30 Hello??!! What??!! a.m. !!!!

And I have to wake up in 3 hours' time again to work and carry on with the day...

And this isn't just the one off story, it is an everyday or every alternate day thing!

And you wonder why I'm asking for a warning label....

And let me tell you...warning or no warning...it's an addiction that you just can't get out of!

- Debolina Raja Gupta
 

10 Things That Listening To An Anupam Roy Song Brings To Mind...Always

I chose the number 10 coz that's a read-able number for you all .... Ask me to continue the list and it has the potential to cross a few articles in terms of length.....there are just so many things to choose from that it defeats the purpose.

So the idea is that I tell you the first 10 things that come to my mind each time I listen to an Anupam Roy song....and these are 10 common feelings that come to my mind almost each time I listen to any of his songs...

Here goes....

1. The first thing that always comes to my mind when I listen to an Anupam Roy song is night time. Always always I see the settings in night, and me standing in the frame and darkness spread out with a few city lights popping up here and there....but its not melancholic or depressing or anything....it's just night time...and especially coz I'm a lover of the nights...so it's even more interesting for me....

2. The second thing that always comes to my mind is an upbeat feeling....Of course with any Anupam

Catch Anupam Roy At The Kolkata Book Fair On 3rd Feb 2015

By now we do expect a new Anupam Roy book at the Kolkata Book Fair each year, don't we? Anupam Roy carries on the tradition this year too!

Anupam Kawtha by Anupam Roy has released on the 1st of February 2015 at the Kolkata Book Fair.
To find out more details about the book you can also like its official page HERE

Catch him there:

Date: 3rd Feb 2015 Tuesday
Stall No: 426 (Kolkata Book Fair)
Time: 03:00 pm onwards

Be there and tell me if you managed to grab a copy and got an autograph too :)

- Debolina Raja Gupta

It's Official! The Man With The Soulful Voice Finds His Soul Mate....Congratulations Anupam And Lady Love

 
*image is Anupam Roy's own

It's official now.....and here's what appeared in the news in a Calcutta paper....and I'm sharing it as it is.

For those of you like me who don't live in that city.....you can read the same story here in the article or READ IT ONLINE ON THE PAPER'S PAGE.

The two bonded over their love for bangla band Chandrabindoo

Social media has stood testimony to several starry breakups and make-ups in the past. While gossip mills have fed off those part-hasty part-calculated announcements, who would have thought Tollywood to give a fitting reply to that! In fact, it came as a huge surprise when Anupam Roy

Anupam Roy On Zee Bangla With The Team Of Open Tee Bioscope On 19th January 2015

So all you Anupam Roy lovers out there......you may not be able to catch him live in his concerts, but here's your chance to have a dekkho and share some fun on-screen moments with the man....

19th January 2015 Monday
Zee Bangla
10 pm

- Debolina Raja Gupta 

Anupam Roy In Concert: Why You Should Watch This Magic For Yourself

If you are based in Kolkata you probably hear his charm at least once a day. Each time I am visiting the city I feel his songs seeping out of anything that has to do with music - whether it is the radio, the television or any concert happening in or around the city - this one voice is always there.

If you are not based in Kolkata, like me, and never have lived in the city, you still cannot miss out on this voice if you do happen to know this language. Of course there have been many instances when people do not understand the language and still love his music... Like I said, there is no escaping it.

So what is it that makes it so important for me to watch him in concert? Of course I love listening to his songs and his music, and it has become almost an addiction that is there with me almost all nights. Nights when I can't sleep or won't sleep, nights when I am staring out into the beautiful darkness and the approaching dawn, and times when I am with myself. Those are the times when I always have company in this one voice.

But I need more.

I crave much more than the music that lives in my ears and in my mind and heart.

I want to witness this magic live.

This is what takes me back to his city so many of the times that I do visit.

An Anupam Roy concert isn't just about getting to see the man on stage, in front of you. It's about

Listening But Not Listening: The Anupam Roy Sound Effect

So for the past few years or so it's been more like a routine. I can't sleep at night, I lie down and toss and turn and give up. I plug in my work and work and work. I try to sleep again. Get up again. By this time let me tell you, the entire family has been sleeping for a good three four hours at the least.

I give up. I do what I've been thinking of doing but pushing off. I plug in the music and head out for a a walk alone. The night is already all quiet by now and no one notices me. I walk and walk and walk, the music blaring loud in my ear, my head banging on to it, or sometimes shedding a tear. No one to watch you see..

Or sometimes

Lyrics Of Firiye Dewaar Gaan From The Movie Hemlock Society

I absolutely love this song...and it is only recently that I have understood all the words as in how to sing.

I am still way far from understanding all of it, but that never stops you from loving an Anupam Roy song till forever, right?

So sing along....

bhebechilaam tokey firiye debo aami
bhebechilaam ghurey takabo na
bhebechilaam tokey puriye felbo aami
bhebechilaam uriye debo chaai

kichu parlam na shudhu barlo ojon buk
shukhi gaal bojhena kobider oshukh
patla thonter dogaaye shajano golper khoi
tokey firiye deva uchit oboshoi

ebhabe

Lyrics of Deshlai Bakshow by Anupam Roy From The Album Bakyobageesh

Well if you haven't heard this one yet you should....It's so very different.....

here goes...and before you ask for it, sorry I wouldn't be able to translate it one bit!!! :)

deshlai bakshow, ek glash eksho
raakhdhaak bondho, kaatlam skondho
nishpran kontho, ghentey ghonto
absurd golpo, chhablami olpo

baagnaan beerbhoom churi jaaye sheet ghoom
in fact virus, chokchok smart ass!

The Anupam Roy Band Live At Nazrul Mancha Kolkata: Some Amazing Moments of Pure Magic And Rock

- Debolina Raja Gupta

Anupam Roy At 91.9 Friends Fm Live Plugged November 2014

15th November 2014 Kolkata

91.9 Friends Fm Live Plugged: Featuring Fossils, Chandrabindoo, Anupam Roy
Time: 5.00 pm onwards 
Date: 15th November 2014 
Venue: Nazrul Manch 
Event Partner: Inner Voyage Communication Pvt Ltd
Ticket Partner: Indianstage
 
Tickets @ Rs. 50/-, Rs. 100/-, Rs. 200/-, please visit for online ticket purchase: http://www.indianstage.in/event/11107/friendsliveplugged/kolkata/events
Contact: 09243777970

- Debolina Raja Gupta

The Anupam Roy Band Live In Concert: November 2014 Schedule

This November the Anupam Roy Band is set to rock you all across Kolkata and Bengal. Here goes the schedule, catch them everywhere you can....

The Anupam Roy Band - November 2014 Gig Update
14th Nazrul mancha
15th Nazrul mancha
22nd Burdwan medical college reunion
26th Barasat
27th Tarakeswar
28th Haldia
29th Saltlake
30th Siliguri

- Debolina Raja Gupta

Anupamer Lekha by Anupam Roy: An Arty Look At Poetry

front cover jacket....one thing you can be assured of when you are reading an Anupam Roy book is that it's not just a book, it's also an art in the visual form.....'Shara raat kete jaaye tor kotha bhebe'....the entire night passes by thinking of you....

On my recent trip to Kolkata a couple weeks back, I was sitting at this really amazing old worldish 'small' chai shop sipping through a cup of brewed Makaibari tea. It was the perfect afternoon when Kolkata was just starting to turn from hot to a pleasant feeling, and I was already dreading the thought of returning to scorching Mumbai.

My chai finish, I went to the counter, looking at the many artefacts and tea pots, paying up my bill, when I saw a section of the area dedicated to bengali books. Yes I don't read bengali much, in fact I must admit with a not-so-proud feeling that I don't read bengali books - I can read it, but it takes me absolutely years to finish one page of bangla, and then it's just not worth it - loses all the charm. Books, however, fascinate me, whether I bring them home or not, and so it was that I looked around and thought I saw something that read 'Anupam Roy.'

It didn't click and I turned back to the counter and then....whoops....what????....wait.....what did I see????......and then turned back again to the book space......and looked closely....

Catching Chotushkone In Kolkata And Mumbai

my piece of happiness at Kolkata

and next at Mumbai

Lucky me....and just when I was thinking I would never get a chance to watch the much anticipated Chotushkone on the silver screen, I got to watch it twice!

This makes it the only Bengali movie that I have watched more than once in the theater.

For the show at Kolkata, I ran from one end of the city to the other, managed to buy a ticket 5 minutes before the show and still watch it from the start.....

Anupamer Lekha by Anupam Roy

With this, my collection of Anupam Roy's written creatives is complete.....

Anupamer Lekha
Chhoyache Kolom
Shomoyer Baire

Let's see what gems come up next :)

- Debolina Raja Gupta

The Practice Behind The Performance: A Quick Click

Hey lovely people....

Just sharing a few quick pics of the tremendous amount of time and energy that goes on behind every performance - the practice sessions! And not to forget mentioning the fun factor it involves as well :)

 Yes...now you see him 

Anupam Roy: The Person I Cherish

My blog has always talked about how much I admire Anupam Roy and his music. His creations reached me at a time I needed it the most, and have stayed with me for the many years and moments I've really needed something to hold on to...

My appreciation and respect, and of course love, grew tremendously when I met him for the first time. Not to mention the fact that I hardly spoke to him then, so tongue tied was I. I remember the day and how much it affected me and continues to do so.

That apart, I will truly say I am lucky to have met him.....

His music has touched my life in more ways than one. I began my trips back to Calcutta during the last few years when I needed a connect to my roots, let's just say we all go through that phase, and though I'd always been sure that I would be the last person to head to Calcutta, it seems times they are a changing. More than once I've shared this premonition with people who know me that,

The Anupam Roy and Srijit Mukherjee Interview: Spilling The Beans About Each Other

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Am pretty sure if you're based in Calcutta you've already read this one....and laughed out loud too.... But just in case you aren't based in Cal, here's a word by word account of the fun interview that I too read online.

This interview came out I think just ahead of the concert that The Anupam Roy Band had at Calcutta Medical College last week. Srijit Mukherjee had also been there, as part of the promotions of the upcoming movie (though am not a 100% sure on that, so please don't kill me verbally for saying so.)

Well, here's the interview as it appears in the online version...enjoy :)

It's been a long journey for both of you from your data mining and analogue chip designing days in Bangalore to making movies and music in Calcutta. What are your earliest memories of each other?
Srijit: This was at Ranjon Ghoshal's residence in Bangalore called Yellow Submarine. I saw this boy sitting with a diary and a guitar surrounded by a group of people, each busy doing something else but this boy persistently and unapologetically singing away one kickass song after another with a lot of energy and eagerness till people started to warm up to him.
Anupam: A lot of times when you're singing, half the people don't listen and then they come and say 'bah, bhalo hoyeche.' I saw this guy stand and listen to me for a long time and then ask

Lyrics of Je Shomajey By Anupam Roy From The Album Bakyobageesh

Goes without saying that this again is another gem from the treasure collection of Anupam Roy. It's one of those songs that has an abundance of layers in it......each time you hear it you connect to it in a new way....

je shomajey aamar kono jayega nei
shei shomajey abar geyechhi gaan
aami maatal hotey paari
aami paagol hotey paari
aami byartho hotey paari
nishartho hotey paari, hotey daao.....

Bakyobageesh Tour Mumbai Leg: Durga Puja 2014

Bakyobageesh Tour Mumbai Leg: Behind The Scenes With The Anupam Roy Band At Mumbai

This was at the hotel on the second day of the tour for the concert at Vashi, Navi Mumbai

Boba Tunnel by Anupam Roy Lyrics: Movie Chotushkone, Lyrics, Voice and Music by Anupam Roy

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The song boba tunnel is from the soundtrack of the movie chatushkone. It's just released in Kolkata and the song has been sung by none other than he, him, himself...Singer, lyricist and music by Anupam Roy

So I recently listened to it and its definitely gone on loop. I think this song for me is in the same zone as jaani dekha hobey...a song that's given my soul another wrench.

we all have memories, we all have desires and wishes that will never fulfill and we know that, and this is yet again another song that manages to wrench out just those thoughts and wishes and bring them back in your eyes...in your tear drops, in your heartbeat in the way you get back to thinking...its pure magic is all i can say...

if you've not listened to it yet (which I highly doubt), do so now....you'll love it..promise...

phire gechey koto boba tunnel er 
gola chirey aalo ichhera chhutey chole
shara ta din jurey tumi ana gona
korecho shei shurey
tar rong legey achey

The Anupam Roy Band Live In Concert: September 2014

If you're anywhere in Kolkata right now...head on to:

Venue: HHI
Time: 6:30pm onwards
Date: 27th September 2014

- Debolina Raja Gupta

The Anupam Roy Band Live At Calcutta Medical College 16th September 2014

Live and loud TODAY!!

Venue: Calcutta Medical College
Date: 16th September 2014
Time: 06:30 pm onwards

Be there Kolkata.....

- Debolina Raja Gupta

From YOU The Fans To Him The Man: Message Of The Week

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So, much as we all love and love and love the man, yes, of course I am talking about Anupam Roy people ..... :) there is a major strength that makes him what he is - it's your love and adulation!!!

It's a known fact that Anupam Roy has, on many occasions, shown appreciation for his fans, who continue to love and support him in all he does.

And of course I understand that love, and how much you all love the magic he creates.

I've been reading some amazing comments on this blog, and trust me, I have chatted up with many of you, and it's been a really sweet experience.

It's time I started acknowledging you all...

Starting today, I will put up your messages, one message a week, on the blog, upper right bar. All your messages and comments are special, and trust me, I will put them all up, maybe this week, maybe next, maybe a little later. But I will.

04 Years And A Lifetime of Memories And Melodies: The Anupam Roy Musicography Till Date

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2014 marks 04 years of Anupam Roy's musical journey....a journey that's truly been magical, uplifting, inspiring, tearful, nostalgic, sensuous, earthy, raw, beautiful, pure.....oh my goodness....how does one use a single article to talk about what all Anupam Roy's songs mean??? 

Well, I know we all are here for one simple and single reason - Anupam Roy, the man himself, and the world he has created for us all, which he lets us inhabit, along with him in it....

For me, this particular world of music has been a lot of things, has seen me through a lot of ups and downs, still seeing, and given meaning to me in a way that only I wish to interpret...I know it means so much to you in so many different ways...

So, while we've all been part of these melodious past 04 years, here's a quick look at the magic that Anupam Roy has been creating for us all.....

Mumbai Calling: Rock On This Durga Puja 2014 With The Anupam Roy Gang

Oh it's official...it soooo is official now...

Finally, after months and years of wishing and hoping and even arguing with the organiser uncles at the Durga Puja associations, The Anupam Roy Gang is coming to Mumbai this September!!!!

Wait for the rest of the post before I go on a mad dance....

And that moron grin...

And that head banging fist going up and down in the air and remember that moronic grin I mentioned?? Ya.....wait...let me jump around the house just a wee bit more......

Anupam Roy 23rd Sep Live In Concert In Kolkata

So this is THE concert you've been waiting for......if you happen to live in Calcutta, I must say you are REALLY lucky !!!! Appreciate it people....and look at me, always ending up missing all these amazing shows....huh!!

Can you believe it? SIX hours of nonstop fun!!!!

Anyways, here are the details you absolutely cannot afford to remember, so here goes:

Date: 23rd Sep 2014

Venue: Netaji Indoor Stadium

Time: 4pm-10pm

Be there Kolkata....and come back here and tell me all about it :) 

- Debolina Raja Gupta

Anupam Roy and Shahana Bajpaie's Interview In Ebela: English Translation

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This interview with Anupam Roy and Shahana Bajpaie was originally published in the e-paper Ebela (I'm assuming it's an e-paper though) and you can read the original here

Also, I have not heard anything by the lovely lady, but if any of you has any special favorite or recommendation, do let me know and I would love to hear...especially a 'different' kind of Rabindra sangeet :)


For now, here's a quick English translation of the same, to the best of my abilities...for any mistakes, please do not hesitate to drop me a comment here...

Seeing them together, you could obviously think 'cute couple.' But the fact is, they are both in awe of each others talent! And a lot of friendship too. Though Anupam Roy is now back in Calcutta from Bengalore, he still travels abroad often on various tours. And Shahana's travels are London today and Calcutta tomorrow. Here, they talk about Durga Puja albums and the story of coming home, along with Antara Majumdar (from the paper)

Q: Anupam - even though you are now a resident of Calcutta again, do you manage to spend your Puja here, given your tours and all? Shahana - how emotionally difficult or nostalgic is it for you to spend your Puja outside Calcutta?

Majhey Majhey Eka Laagey From The Movie Window Connection:

This beautiful song is absolutely perfect for the monsoon..... and even though I wish he had sung it himself, I must say it's a lovely track, as it is....

The movie is Window Connection and it is in Bengali and no, I haven't seen it, nor do I plan to (anyways I would have to check it up on YouTube or something and I am not going to do that.) If you have seen it, do let me know....

I made the mistake of watching Hemlock Society and Jaani Dekha Hobe despite serious anti-recommendations from my friends who are based in Calcutta, and was it a shock??!!! It was a trauma...so no venturing there for now...

This song I just cannot stop humming (will take some more time to learn the words I guess), but believe me, if you haven't heard it yet, it's time you do....it's

Come on, let's hum and sing along...

Music composed by Anupam Roy

Shomoyer Baire by Anupam Roy: Book Review

I recently managed to get the copy of the book Shomoyer Baire by Anupam Roy. It released this year (2014) in Kolkata and has already been lapped up by fans and readers alike.

Unfortunately, I could not find the book on any online store or any book store here, so I contacted the publishing house and asked them to send me a copy. You can do this if you are based outside Kolkata, and can have the option of COD too!

Before I talk more about the book, here's a quick look at the details:

Details about the book:

Title: Shomoyer Baire
Author: Anupam Roy
No. of pages: 125
Publishers: Dey's Publishing

Format: Hardback

About the book (synopsis):

The book is a look at the life of Biplab (which means revolution in Bengali). The protagonist goes through various experiences throughout his life, all of which are drawn upon through various times in his life. The many experiences clash with each other, connect with each other, and through these, the reader gets a glimpse into his life, into his personality, and how the protagonist evolves through time, and why he does the things he does.

My take on the book:

For someone who is not fluent in reading Bangla (it takes me ages to read the script, and THIS is the first Bengali book that I have finished!) this book was the answer to - how to create a book in Bengali that is great on the subject, is interesting and still can be read easily.

For starters, the book is tiny (especially for those who are comfortable with the script.) It took me half a day to finish it off, in the midst of work and other commitments. So if you have free time, you can easily read it in the lesser part of an hour.

The cover is where you can see the mark of an artist. It is simply beautiful, I loved the way the old buildings have been shot in a different angle. It instantly reminds me of the old style houses I have seen in some parts of Kolkata, and that are so present in my memory of the city. I love latticed windows, those long verandas that spin so many different stories of co-existence, and this book and its cover brings all that alive.

Chhoyanche Kolom by Anupam Roy (The Contagious Pen): My Take And Sort Of A Review

So before I begin talking about this book, there are a few things I need to say:

1. This is the first time ever that I am talking here about a book that is written in the Bengali language
2. This is one of those very few books in the Bengali language that I have read in its entirety, without a translation
3. This is the first ever book of poetry that I have bought outside my literature syllabus, from school till my post-grad level, which was decades ago
4. This is the first time that I am talking about a book that revolves around poetry and such

That said and done, this book was highly anticipated, not just by me, but millions of other fans of Anupam Roy.

If you do not know about him yet, he is an artist first and foremost. He is a multi-talented artist who has made a name for himself as a singer, song writer, lyricist, composer, music director, columnist, social speaker (do watch his first English music video Second Sex on YouTube) poet, novelist (his first ever novel written in the Bengali language has come out this year and I am desperately waiting to lay my hands on it – that will mean another review as soon as I get it and read it, so fingers crossed!), plays the guitar as if it’s his second skin, plays other instruments too about which I am not good enough to comment.

If you would like to know more about him or the kind of music he creates, you can visit my other blog here

There are many layers to his talent, which is the reason that in just the last few years, he has, after shifting base to Kolkata, become one of the biggest names in the Bengali music industry ever. From movies to albums to coming together with a talented director like Sujoy Ghosh and scoring music for his upcoming Bollywood movie, Anupam Roy is a name to reckon with.

Chhoyanche Kolom is the first ever book of Anupam Roy that I read. I did read his columns online, but as a book, this was the first one I read.

Before I move further, let me also request here that if you see any mistakes in the post with reference to any word translation, please do let me know and I will correct it immediately.

Details about the book:

Anupam Roy Teams Up With Sujoy Ghosh For Bollywood Debut With Durga Rani Singh!!

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BIG NEWS !!!!!

The much awaited news is finally out in the open.... Anupam Roy has teamed up with Sujoy Ghosh for the music of the director's upcoming Hindi movie Durga Rani Singh.

While earlier the female lead was to be Vidya Balan, news is that the role will now be essayed by Kangana Ranaut, as Vidya is on a kind of health break.

It is but obvious that I absolutely loved the movie Kahaani, and it was one of those movies that made me want to go and explore Kolkata (I even ended up seeing the 'guest house' where the character of Vidya stays in the movie!). And I have said this on many places that for me, watching a Vidya Balan movie is quite tough as I never seem to take my eyes off her face....am absolutely in a girl love with her!!!

So when I heard that Anupam Roy would be creating the music for this movie, I was obvioulsy thrilled. It may not have Vidya in it, (and today morning itself I was kind of sad about it), but now I have wayyyyyy more reasons to look forward to its release!

For those of you who already are a fan of Anupam Roy, you need no new reason. For those of you who are not yet familiar with his brand of music, this would be a great start to experience it....

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And for now, here is a chit chat he had with Calcutta Times......as shared in the paper.....I am re-sharing it here and will also share the link of the original page where it appeared (I too have read it online.)

Aami Aajkaal Bhaalo Aachhi by Anupam Roy: Lyrics in English

How many times have you heard this song? Well, if you are in Kolkata, probably you've heard this a lot many times at different places. Being outside of Kolkata, I am quite sad that such a wonderful track has not really reached many people here.

The more common and popular songs of Anupam Roy seem to be Amake Amar Moto of course. But if you were to ask me, this one is equally soul stirring, if not more.

I first heard this one on a dark summer night here, with the sea breeze flowing in and ruffling through my hair. It stayed on with me ever since - the song......

For those of you who have heard it but didn't really get the lyrics, here is the same in English script. I've tried to be as accurate as possible, but I am not too sure that I've jotted down everything here correctly, so please forgive me and do let me know in the comments if you see any mistakes :-)

For now, here are the lyrics, so do sing along.........

The Anupam Roy Band Live in Concert 25th and 26th April 2014

They are coming to make you go crazy yet again.......As the temperatures soar, here are 2 venues in Kolkata you absolutely must be at, if you want to heat it up.....

Venue: City Centre 1, Kund Area
Date: 25th of April 2014
Time: 3 pm onwards

Venue: Narayan Tola,Baguiati
Date: 26th April 2014
Time: 6pm onwards

- Debolina Raja Gupta

The Anupam Roy Band Live In Dhaka Bangladesh !!!!

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Great news for Anupam Roy's fans in Dhaka!!!!!

The Anupam Roy Band is coming live to you .....

Date: 18th April 2014
Venue: Radisson Blue Hotel

For more details, please get in touch with the hotel staff !!!!

- Debolina Raja Gupta