Bong Baji

“That evening after celebrating Rabindra Jayanti in Colorado, which I had organised, we figured that there was 15inch snow outside and driving back home was impossible. So we contacted all Indians around and said that we are sending guests to your home for the night!” Soumya Mukherji, professor at IIT Bombay recollects. A box of heartwarming stories here, on iCafe’s BongBaji

Ina Puri still lives in Kolkata, either in person or at heart, as all work of this writer, biographer, art curator and collector has its intellectual origin somewhere in the Bangla land. Listen to her on iCafe’s Bongbaji where she illustrates the spread of her family, her ideals, her love and passion and where all those have taken her!

He is a bestselling author for crime novels and also produces crime shows. On the other hand he has a comedy channel on Youtube where he talks about the typicalities of being a Bengali. Where does a crime novel feature in the idealistic scape of the idealist community? How was life in that hostel in Kalimpong? How did a Bengali come and settle in Mumbai? iCafe’s BongBaji captures his Bangaliyana.

He has a collection of books that has been passed on to his daughter, which he expects would be passed on to her child. He actually wanted to write his story, but after writing it when no one wanted to direct Jhankar Beats, he did it himself. Sujoy Ghosh shares his Bangaliyana, his love for Kolkata, the women in his life vis-a-vis strong women characters in his films and more at iCafe's BongBaji

Born to a Bengali father and Punjabi mother, brought up in Delhi, and now being an RJ, Stutee has been swimming across various cultures. Interestingly though, she has neither lost touch, nor compromised with her Bengali roots. Be it food or be it announcing at Durga Puja pandals, she is still the Bengali girl next door - rich in tastes of literature and food. iCafe’s BongBaji captures her Bangaliyana.

Sutanu moved out of Bengal to join IIM Kozhicode and became the convener for arranging the Durga Puja on campus. He believes that Bengalis have always been extremely progressive not only in response to new ideas but also in the way they face challenges. Hear him on iCafe's BongBaji

Having been an entertainment journalist in Mumbai for about 8 years now, Mohar Basu is still called an 'a(n)tel' - a sarcastic word for intellectual. So what, yes I am - she shrugs with confidence. Hear her talking about Bengali films, actors and cinema on iCafe's BongBaji

At some point of time he wanted to come out of the comfort zone of Bengal. He wanted to mingle across communities to seek more, learn more. Deep Halder talks about his observations and thoughts, that lead him to write his book recently. This and more, brewing on iCafe's BongBaji

Born and bred amid a rich library of books, her sincerity and attitude for life was shaped by imaginary fictional characters. Not surprising that Binda Dey has been a consistent leader in the entertainment industry of Mumbai. Her journey brought forward in her conversation on iCafe's BongBaji

Emerging from a small house in Kolkata, studies were the non-negotiable, uncompromising childhood job. Though juggling between Gurgaon and Mumbai now, Arijit's Bangaliyana reflects on iCafe's BongBaji

Ananya Mukherjee has been settled in Singapore since long and is a communications professional. And she has managed to find her 'Bengal' in Singapore, keeping herself culturally connected with her roots. Her journey comes alive on iCafe's BongBaji

Been long since Kumar Deb Sinha has moved out of Bengal. Now well settled in Mumbai. But 'home' is still in Kolkata, and so is the heart. Hear his story on iCafe's BongBaji

How does a Bengali upbringing affect personality and professionalism later? How Bengali is a person who has grown up in Delhi and lives in US now? Nana Banerjee in conversation with iCafe's BongBaji

Hasn't really spent much time in Bengal. But in Delhi's C. R. Park, there was full BongBaji with sports, music and books. Saugato Bhowmik brings back childhood memories and inheritance of rich Bengali culture on iCafe

A large part of her life spent in the small town of Santiniketan, Birbhum, Aditi Paul is a revered singer today, working with and as one of the best in music industry. Her journey of finding a home in Mumbai but never settling with compromises to her rich cultural values, is brought forward in her conversation on iCafe's BongBaji