Bangladeshi and West Bengal stars gather for North American Bengali Conference

The 46th edition of the North American Bengali Conference (NABC), one of the largest annual gatherings of Bengali-speaking communities in North America, has begun in New York, bringing together artists, filmmakers, writers and cultural personalities from both Bangladesh and India’s West Bengal.

The three-day event has attracted thousands of attendees from across the United States and Canada, celebrating the shared heritage of the Bengali language through literature, music, theatre, cinema and cultural performances.

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Representing Bangladesh at this year’s conference are actors Chanchal Chowdhury, Mehazabien Chowdhury, Sabila Noor and Emon, along with author Sadat Hossain, filmmaker Redoan Rony and several other cultural figures.

From West Bengal, the event features prominent names including Rituparna Sengupta, Jisshu Sengupta, Saurav Das, Darshana Banik and Payel Mukherjee, among others.

One of the major attractions of this year’s conference is a dedicated Bengali film showcase. Bangladesh is represented by the films “Bonolata Express”, “Saba” and “Domm”, while West Bengal’s lineup includes “Putul Nacher Itikotha”, “Deep Fridge” and “Devi Chowdhurani”.

In addition to film screenings, the conference features award presentations, literary sessions and discussions that bring together writers, artists and cultural enthusiasts from both sides of the border.

Actor Emon, who is attending the event, said the conference has drawn a large number of participants from different states across North America.

“This is one of the biggest gatherings for Bengali-speaking people. The atmosphere is festive, and everyone is celebrating the Bengali language and culture together,” he said.

Held annually, the North American Bengali Conference has become more than a cultural festival for the diaspora. For many expatriate Bengalis, it serves as an opportunity to reconnect with their roots while strengthening cultural ties between Bangladesh, West Bengal and Bengali communities around the world.