St. Xavier’s College (Kolkata) Alumni Association (SXCCAA)presents Beyond Barriers Chapter XXI, in association with The Telegraph, was a four-day gala affair, earlier this month, in ‘The City of Gold’ of the United Arab Emirates. Over 100 members from the Kolkata chapter travelled to the city of spectacular architecture and majestic skyscrapers, and was joined by members of the Dubai chapter and around 25 members from chapters around the world for the eventful four days. Snapshots:
Alumni association members of the Kolkata chapter at the Sheikh Rashid Auditorium OUD Metha stadium. The first day saw members of the Kolkata and Dubai chapter get together for an evening of meet-and-greet and high tea at the Grand Mercure Hotel. A grand musical night was arranged on the following day at the Sheikh Rashid Auditorium OUD Metha for members and guests.
“Beyond Barriers truly went ‘beyond barriers’ this year with a galaxy of sensational artistes. This year the event went on for more than five hours with the entire audience on their feet even post-midnight. It was simply an electrifying experience. Dubai rocked, making it worth the effort of taking up the challenge to take it overseas,” said Vikash Khosla (fourth from left) and Dharmen Trivedi (third from right), conveners. Firdausul Hasan (sixth from right), honorary secretary, St.Xavier’s College Kolkata Alumni Association, said, “Beyond Barriers this year was special for many reasons. Under the dynamic leadership of our president, Rev. Father Dominic Savio, the St. Xavier’s College Alumni Association was able to organise Beyond Barriers internationally, in Dubai, for the first time. The credit goes to the team of Beyond Barriers as well as the dedicated members of SXCCAA, for working together to make this event such a grand success after the long months of the pandemic. With the likes of KK, Amit Kumar and Sudesh Bhosle as performers for the musical night, a film festival, fashion show and gala dinner were also arranged, where the members found ample opportunity to bond and celebrate their friendships.”
Father Anil Gomes; Father Peter Arockiam; Saptorshi Datta, SXCCAA coordinator of UAE chapter; Father Joseph Kulandai; convener Vikash Khosla; and Father Dominic Savio, principal of St. Xavier’s College Kolkata and president of SXCCA, inaugurated the celebration with the lighting of the lamp at Sheikh Rashid Auditorium OUD Metha. “Being one of the most active international chapters of SXCCAA, we were entrusted with this huge responsibility of organising Beyond Barriers 2022. We are proud that we were able to organise it successfully. St. Xavier’s always believes in inclusiveness and spreading the richness of the diversified Indian culture. We are happy that we tried our best to go along to justify the same through Beyond Barriers and Indian Film Festival,” said Saptorshi Datta, coordinator, St. Xavier’s College (Kolkata) Alumni Association UAE Chapter.
Ankita Bhattacharyya of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa fame won hearts of the audience with her melodious rendition of Lata Mangeshkar songs and Sandhya Mukhopadhyay classics like Ghum ghum chand.
Bu Abdullah, chairman of Bu Abdullah group of companies was felicitated by Father Dominic Savio.“Beyond Barriers happened first time outside Kolkata. We have not had Beyond Barriers outside India before. That way everybody was looking forward to the programme. It brought warmth among Xaverians. Xaverians came from different chapters from around the world. When we are organising a programme outside the country, it needs a lot of hard work. Xaverians have worked hard and it is true they can do anything for their alma mater,” said Father Dominic Savio to The Telegraph.
(L-R) Amit Kumar, Sudesh Bhosle and KK
“I studied in St.Xavier’s for one year, in class five. I was studying very well, I could have become a doctor or lawyer. But my parents started missing me and they brought me back home. After that, I started singing... till date I have sung 745 songs for the film industry. Only 745...,” said Amit Kumar who set a fun mood in the auditorium with his studio anecdotes and songs like Ye zamin gaa rahi hai and Yeh kya hua.
“I was very excited to perform with KK, Amit Kumar ji and lot of talented artistes from Kolkata and Mumbai. We sang accompanied by a fantastic band led by Anupam Ghatak. I was very happy with the way the audience responded. I always say Bengali audience love music, they know music and they always encourage good music. So, I am very happy to be here,” said Sudesh Bhosle, who entertained the audience with his popular Amitabh Bachchan mimicry and classic Bolly numbers Aapka kya hoga janab ali, Keh do ke tum ho meri warna.
“I performed for Beyond Barriers in Kolkata few years ago and I was really excited when I got to know that I will be performing in Dubai. I have a long-standing relationship with Xavier’s Kolkata, almost eight-nine years and it is nice to be back with them. They are very enthusiastic, fun-loving people. Performing in Dubai with Xavier’s is new for me. I have performed in Dubai umpteenth times but after the pandemic, it is for the first time, so I am happy to be here. Xavier’s is family now,” said KK, who mesmerised the audience with his hit numbers like Yaaron, Tu jo mila and got the audience to sing along with him, too.
DAY THREE AND FOUR
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
(L-R) Gargee Roychowdhury, Arindam Sil and Firdausul Hasan being felicitated by Amitabo Mozumder, senior committee member of Dubai chapter, and Pallavi Chatterjee. “I must say that in Kolkata Mahananda is being critically acclaimed and people liked it so much. It is a coincidence that people from Dubai, the Bengalis, had texted me and asked when they could see the film in Dubai and soon after I got a call from Xavier’s informing me regarding the screening of Mahananda as the inaugural film of this film festival. I am very lucky that all the Bengalis here, who love me, who like Bengali cinema but couldn’t get the opportunity to watch these films in Dubai, they are going to watch Mahananda today. I am really honoured that this film is being screened in Dubai,” said Gargee Roychowdhury, the protagonist of the film.
“For Mahananda, Firdausul Hasan, my producer for the film, came to me and told me to make a film that we could take across festivals internationally through which we could showcase our culture and eminent journalist Ashok Dasgupta, Gargee’s husband, suggested I work on Mahasweta Devi,” added Arindam Sil, the director of the film.
“I feel great because I am a Xaverian too and there is an emotional connection for me. It is a film about friendship and reunion and it is being screened at Xavier’s Beyond Barriers, feels great. It’s been almost 20 years that I have left St. Xavier’s. So, this entire thing feels like a script to me. When we were in college, Beyond Barriers had just started. Since then it has grown and it is being hosted internationally this year. If people of Dubai and the Bengalis residing here can connect to the film that will be really great,” said Srimanta Senguptta (left) to The Telegraph, ahead of the screening of his film Abar Bochhor Koori Pore on Day One of the film festival.
“Our film got a huge response at the screening from the people of Dubai. A lot of people came to watch our film and people enjoyed our film. We were sitting at the back and watching the audience reaction. Many of them were crying and we had lovely discussion with the audience post the screening. It is a film that has got no language, it has got so much emotion... the Bengali audience here could relate to it,” added Tnusree C, who played one of the main characters in the film.
Subhrajit Mitra second from the left
“It is a nice feeling because Avijatrik has travelled to 40 countries. But it is the first time it is being shown in UAE, predominantly for the Bengali diaspora here. So, it feels nice. Film has an international language. It is very important for an industry to grow and explore the market internationally, to travel internationally and to succeed internationally,” said Subhrajit Mitra, director of Avijatrik that was screened on Day Two of the film festival.
Members of Beyond Barriers as well as people of Dubai queued up at Emirates International School to watch the films being screened at the two-day film festival. Six Bengali language films were screened at the festival. Day One was slotted for Mahananda, Abar Bochhor Koori Pore and Shororipu 2. On Day Two, Haar Mana Haar, Avijatrik and Abhijaan were screened. “I express my sincerest thanks to every audience member who made themselves present to stand by, to support and to watch Bengali films. We have flown hundreds of miles to come and present our films in Dubai. This is not our first visit. Due to the pandemic, we couldn’t come here for a few years in between. I am grateful to my alumni for creating this opportunity. There are films of different genres, the new Bengali films. I am happy that Bengali films are generating interest among non-Bengali audiences, too, internationally and in Kolkata also. We have always tried to create national-level cinema and that is exactly what we are doing,” said Arindam Sil, convener of the International Film Festival organised in Dubai as a part of Beyond Barriers.
YACHT PARTY
The trip to the desert land ended with a yacht party on the last day for the alumni members, hosted by Lal Bhatia. Members had a view of the city of Dubai while sailing across the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea while enjoying a delicious seafood spread, cocktails and fresh fruits. Jet-skiing at sunset, for members who wanted to try water sports, added to the overall fun of the chilled-out day in the sea.
chef Irina
“We set the menu according to the people who sail with us and their taste preference. We have not included fried food as we will be sailing. The menu included Fuagra, which is duck liver, and preparations of lobster, lamb, shrimps and oyesters. We also had vegetarian preparation including pan-fried vegetables,” said chef Irina from Dubai, who prepared the elaborate spread.
FASHION SHOW
Day Three concluded with a gala fashion show by designer Abhishek Dutta at the Oberoi Business Bay, where the designer showcased a mix of his recent collections. Alumni members along with models from Dubai donned the outfits and walked in style on the ramp. Actress Tnusree C and percussionist Bickram Ghosh walked as showstoppers with the designer (in picture left).
“Dubai showcase was a mix of our fusionwear and our latest tribute to Bengal. A mix of pre-stitched sari gowns, bandhgalas, angarkhas and not to miss out the signature jackets,” said Abhishek.
“I have been part of St.Xavier’s since 1984. Xavier’s is in my blood. When I heard that they were coming to Dubai, I was excited. I am so glad that it is happening here. I wish it was more than four days, so that we could host the Kolkata chapter in the Dubai way. Dubai is now home for me and it feels great to host them here,” said Lal Bhatia, chairman of the Office of H. H. Sheikh Marwan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai. He showcased a presentation on his journey and was felicitated by Father Dominic Savio.
“This is a great platform and as a Xaverian, it is a privilege for me to be in front of all of you and talk about my company, to look for opportunities and present how we as a business house from Kolkata have been trying to grow for so many years, carrying a legacy of four generations. The dream continues to grow. The dream of taking our karigari all over the world remains,” said Suvankar Sen, director of Senco Gold and Diamonds, who was felicitated at the Oberoi Business Bay by Father Dominic Savio.