Wednesday, January 31, 2007

and more...

translated version:

"I was delighted to learn about "Amra Kojon." It is indeed impressive the way you represent our nation and its songs despite living in the U.S. I suppose only those living afar can truly appreciate the greatness of their culture – something that often eludes those immersed in it.

I could have mailed to you in English, but somehow felt like talking to you in Bangla. Anyway, I fervently hope that your organization continues to flourish in the future."

Original version:
From: Nahid Akter
hi
apnader 'amra kojon' shomporke jante pere khub i valo laglo...........apnara desher baire thekeo jevebe desher gan r deshke mullo dicchen sheta asholei proshongshar dabidar.............ashole desher baire thaklei nij shongskritir tan ta beshi beshi onuvob kora jai..........jeta amra jara deshe thaki tara ter pai na.......
apnake ami english eo mail korte partam.........kintu keno jeno ichche holo apnar shathe banglatei kotha boli.................jak apnader ei shonggothon er sharbik shafollo kamona korchi.............
Nahid Akter, Pharmacist
Bangladesh

One translated message from Bangladesh

please send us feedback as to whether you prefer to see a translated version, or whether you want to see the original version in Bangla only.


" Those of you living abroad exemplify the Bengali nation to the world, and your unflinching commitment to exalt our culture in certainly commendable. I hope that you will pass the torch on to the next generation of immigrant Bengalis to take up your stead.

One day white people ruled our country, whereas today, Bengalis have dispersed throughout the farthest corners of the globe. With their talent and diligence, they have created a Bengali nation that transcends geographic boundaries – a nation where all can rise above petty labels of caste, creed, and color, and cohabit in comity as humans.

Our nation's history is wrought with untold desolation and depredation. Many nations have come into our contact; we have assimilated them all, while never compromising our own identity. I fervently hope that wherever you live, you will convince people of the supremacy of our culture. As a patriot and a patron of Bengali culture, this is my fondest dream. To achieve that, however, we must attain a sizeable population at a given locale to constitute a voice loud enough to be heard. For example, generations of Sylhetis living in the U.K. have become a cultural force to be reckoned with.

Collectively, you can create a greater Bengali nation and an even larger cultural circumference, where all Bengalis are welcome regardless of national or religious labels. Of course, amity with the host nation and its people is a primary prerequisite to this.

Well, one cannot help sensing an unspoken bond with those striving for the actualization of a shared dream. I send my earnest wishes for the continued success of your organization. Long live the Bengali nation!"

Original message:

"na hoy ta hole apnar Bandu sombodan grohon karlam.Apnara jara bideshe asen tara Bangali jatir protibu hishebe Bangali Songskritir prosarer jonno je kaj karsen tara obosshoi nomossho.Apnader hat dore Bideshe bashobash kari natun projonmo bangali sangskritir bikashe egie jabe ei kamona karci.Ekdin sada camrar lokera amader desh dhakal karecilo.Ekhon probashi Bangalira tader meda o porisromdie Biswabapi sarie porbe ebong Bidesher matite buogolic sima batita ek bishal Bangali jati gosthir bikash gotave,jekhane sober poricoy hobe Bangali ebong manush.Dhormo borno nirbishese shobai paroshporik riddotar bondone aboddo thakbe.

Bangali jati gostir hajar bosorer itihase kebol dukko kosto o lanchona bonchona jutece.E deshe bohu jati gosti eshese,kintu sabai amader modde bilin hoye gieshe.Kamona kori apnara je deshe bas karben se desher manushke amder sangskritir srestotto dara joy karben .Bagali sanskritir ekjon onuragi hishebe e shopno ami deki.Tobe tar jonno obossoi jonogosti hishebe ekta nidristo oncole nijeder sonkha briddir maddome probab boloy toiri korte hobe,jemon siletira englande gostiboddo babe bas kare ekta saktite porinoto hoyese.Apnarao sobai ekta brehotor Bangali jono gosti toiri kare nijosso sangskritik porimondol gore tulte paren,jekhane desh dhormo nirbishese kebol Bangalirai thakbe.Tar jonno sei desher onno jonogosthir sathe Bondutto bojay rakhte hobe.Onek kotha likhe fellam,asole je sawpna deki se sawpner rupokerder kacer mone hoy.Dur theke apnader karjokromer safollo kamona korci.Joy houk Bangali sangskritir.

Subeschante Nurul Hoque"

If you'd like translations...

Sometimes we receive comments and feedback in Bangla, and we often grapple with whether our readers would prefer that we translate it to English or share the original version. The emotion and charm of the original message is often difficult to retain in a translation.

So we invite your feedback, dear readers. Do you want to see translated versions with the original messages? Do you not care eitherway?

Please leave us comments to this post so that we can best share with you the magical experience that is Amra Kojon.

And don't forget to find the newest writeup about us on blog-space!

Another message from Bangladesh

Apneder web site duke obibuto holam apnader karmajagga deke.Je Bangla sangskriti ekane harie jete boshese apnara "Amra Kajon" nothun prithibite(NEW WORLD) take suddo babe protisthitho karesen.Sangite,Nritookolay,Poshake sholoana Bangaliana fute utese apnader onusthane.Apnader bishal Photo galleryte duke obibuto,jodio sompurnota dekhte parinai Tobe dekhar iccha ase.Apneder Vidiota down load karar iccha ase.Iti modde apnader katha amar bibinno bondumohole boleci.Apnader bapok karmakando somporke sobair jana ucit.Sobcheye balo laglo jati dormo nirbisese sokolke aponader dale ekatrito kara.Amader desher ekjon bikkhato ebong nibedito pran sanskritik bakthitho Chayanoter protisthath Ohidul Hoqoue mara gelen.Jatio Rabindra Sangith Andolone tini Puroda chilen.Samne Ekhushe February.Bhasha Shahid Dibosh Ja ekon Antorjatik Matri Basha Dibosh Hishebe sara biswe palito Hosche.Apnara nichoy tar jonnyo prostuti nicshen.Ami amar ek bandur leka duti gan apnader jonnyo pathabo.Jodio onekdin age etar sur dewa o gaoa hoyesilo tothapi apnader jodi balo lage ta hole apnader nijassha sure gaite paren.Amar ek atmio thaken NY te Ostad Khurshid kHaner kase Setar sikesilen tar strio balo abriti kare.Ami janina odd job kare se charcha ace kina,tobe ekebare harie jayni.Apnara jodio anek dure thake NY theke icce karle jogajog karthe pare.Chaile Mobile no dite parbo.Amerikar onek jaygay amder onek silpi harie jasche jibon jibikar sangrame,tader oikkoboddo kare kale lagate parle ekta birat kaj hobe.AMRA KOJON er sabaike ushna obinandan.
Nurul Hoque

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

more comments from Bangladesh

some more comments (and they keep coming in!)

"ami shudhu eta bolte paari je I count myself lucky to have made friends with some of you at AK, and in the process getting to know a few people of great quality. Being a part of AK's performance team was an added bonus. ar shudhu tomaar katha ekbaar boltei hoy, erokom inspire koraar khamota aami khub kom loker modhye dekhechhi.
SHAMIM"

"You did forget to mention the contribution from one tiny AK performer (as always you do/have to), unpardonable omission in my opinion, but on behalf all audiences I would like to congratulate him, salute him with all our love respect and veneration. He came to us from another world, from beyond the star and void of space. We love what he does for us. He is our most favorite Mohitosh Talukder Taposh, aami jake "tupi khule obhibadon" janai sarakkon.
MUJIB"

"It was quite enjoyable. I really appreciate your all efforts to present our historical heritage and culture. I salute you and your all group members.
Paul Biswas"

"I could not keep my eyes dry, if this does not touch some ones heart then nothing will, I sew tears on audiences eyes around me. Thank you for so powerful and excellent art that you did from bottom of your heart. One tiny little piece was missing, if you want to know I will tell you that story, I am one of the witness of that part of the history that no one includes or want to know about it."

Sunday, January 21, 2007

comments from Bangladesh

I'd like to share some comments that we've received following the publication of Adnan bhai's article in Prothom Alo. The comments are in Bangla, and I have not translated to preserve the original emotion in the comments. If you want a translation, please leave us a comment!

"Prothom Alo Chutir diner 384(13January 2007,30 poush 1413) sonkhay aphnar lekha amra kojona pore khubi bhalo laglo.Bangali sanskritike tule darar procestake Obhinondon janai ebong asha kari bangali sonskritir ontornihito folgudara pocshima jantrik sobbotay palito jantrik manushgulir atmar unnoon gotie manobotar ek satar tole nie ashbe.Poschim Bonger silpirao ace jene bhalo laglo.Ashole manusher ektaito jat"MANUSH".Je shopno amra puron karte parini,se sopno sob Bangalira mile bidese bastobaito karuk ei kamona karshi.Poro Bhume jat dormo nirbishese ek Bangla.
Nurul Hoque "

"hi,
apnader 'amra kojon' shomporke jante pere khub i valo laglo...........apnara desher baire thekeo jevebe desher gan r deshke mullo dicchen sheta asholei proshongshar dabidar.............ashole desher baire thaklei nij shongskritir tan ta beshi beshi onuvob kora jai..........jeta amra jara deshe thaki tara ter pai na.......

apnake ami english eo mail korte partam.........kintu keno jeno ichche holo apnar shathe banglatei kotha boli.................jak apnader ei shonggothon er sharbik shafollo kamona korchi.............

Nahid Akter, Pharmacist
Bangladesh"

" Bhaskar Mazumder:
hello-- i am a student of chittagong university over in bangladesh.today i find ur organisation in a newspaper's magazine named chutir dine.i am realy very much happy to know ur work for bangla songs.i send my best wishes for all of u-----long live your amra kojon."

"hi
this is joyita from bangladesh. aj prothom alo chutir din a apnar lekha porlam. valo laglo jara u.s.a thekeo amader bangali music practice kore. and thank you also for inform us this news.apni aro likhben asha korte pari ki?
take care and have a nice day. BYE.............."

"hi Adnan vai
apnar lekha "amra kojon" lekhati prothom-alo chutirdine porechi,thanks to Taposh da,khov mogdha holam j apnara bideshe thakeo desh o bangla gan ato valobasen,thanks again to Taposh da & ur team for creat "Amra kojon" bangla gan & bangali culture bishwer kacha tole doron,bangli hisebe ami gorbito,adnan vai apnake o thanks lekhar jonno
jito,
narsingdi,
bangladesh"

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

The whirlwind

This is coming from a person who is not much good at reproducing emotions on pen and paper, or expressing much emotion at all, however I shall try my best. My life has been quite a whirlwind after being swooped into the AK family in the past few months… making numerous friends, 'friends' I must stress, not merely acquaintances, finding the same passion, the passion for music, in all these 'friends'… what more could I ask for? And what a learning experience it has been! From learning about the history of Bangladesh, which is where my roots are, to learning about functioning as a group, where individuality steps back to give way to altruism and co-operation. Thank you AK family for opening your arms and hearts to me! Here's to many more late nights full of music, good food, lots of adda, Khaleda- Hasina, hookah, booze and throwing up!!! Vive la AK.

- Roshni Basu
on behalf of Amra Kojon

Energy that comes from within

Quite a lot of feedback comes to us via personal emails, and its always a challenge to translate that into a blog entry. But I'll do my best. This is the email that Jhontu bhai wrote to us after the Jan 13th screening of the "Daam Diye Kinechhi Bangla" DVD. -naina

" It was a wonderful party. We really had good time. Food was delicious. Thanks for everything.

It was really unexpected and indeed was a surprise for me when you guys called me with a gift of appreciation. I felt hesitant and sort of uncomfortable at the moment.

The LP player looks really nice. Thanks again.

One thing, I disagree when Taposhda and Ahmed Bhai say repeatedly that your generation could not do anything (zero). I feel your generation are doing a lot of things in Bangladesh and abroad. You are doing something that a lot of other group in North America could not do. I have said it before and please keep doing it. Some will confess some will not what Amra Kojon is painting on us - who are plainly confused and know very little about Bangladesh. The beauty of Amra Kojon is that the energy comes from within.

Music diye possible manush ke bojhano, boktrita, seminar er tolerance ekhon anek kome gase......in bangladesh at least. [It is possible to reach out to people through music - our tolerance for speeches and seminars have been worn thin, at least in Bangladesh.] People are being deceived. Speech, seminars, meetings are seen to be a complete failure to create emotions in Bangladeshi's heart. I guess they are tired of hearing it too. Amra Kojon is an alternate source of power and it should continue producing the very best. Music is close to our heart, we understand it well.

As you said, "Let music be the conviction of our heart," this should be the slogan of Amra Kojon. We can not live comfortably and think of making social change at the same time! Amra Kojon must make its platform in North America first and make its massive appearance in Bangladesh. I may sound emotional, but I am damn serious. If we can think, we can also do it."

- Atiqul Alam (Jhontu)

[excerpted from an email sent by Jhontu bhai]

DVD of the Dec 03, 2006 show now available!

Dear Friends,

Hope you have all had a relaxing and enjoyable long weekend! Some of us got together on Saturday night to watch the "Daam Diye Kinechhi Bangla" DVD together.

In another week or so, we will have complimentary copies of the DVD available for our performers(Daam crews). We will also have limited additional DVDs available for purchase at $5.00 (S&H not included), so that those of you who want to buy copies for your friends or families or as gift items can do so at the subsidized rate. Please email Naina at naina@alum.mit.edu to place your pre order by 01/31/07, so that we can make copies accordingly.

After 31st January, you will be able to buy the DVD from Foodland (Cambridge), India Restaurant/Shaptaak Music House in RI and Music stores in NYC for $10.00 per copy.


On Saturday night, we also discussed a project idea for the Noboborsho celebrations this year - we want to showcase the evolution of the Bangla film music in an exciting production that we'll call "Chhaya Chhondo". Tentatively slated for sometime in mid-April, we're looking at a time commitment of roughly 6 weekends - so if you'd like to be involved, please email us at amrakojon@gmail.com and we'll make sure you receive the rehearsal announcements.


We look forward to working together again this year - and in the meantime, please keep sending us your comments and input for the AK Blog ( http://amrakojon.blogspot.com/) by emailing naina@alum.mit.edu.


Few good news needs to be share…...TV Asia broadcasted our Daam show last Sunday at 4pm. There is a write-ups about AK at Prothom Alo, Saturday January 13, Chutir dinee by Adnan Syed.


If you have any pics/video recording from Daam diye kinecchi Bangla shows, please send it to us ASAP. Soon we will put all the pics in our web.

Let this year be another one filled with music, AK family fun and team-work!
Cheers!

- amra kojon