I agree, I definitely thought Kallol paid more attention to the local talent this year than they do in any Durga Puja or past Bongo Sammelon experiences. Comparatively we did a lot better with highlighting all the groups we have around us, and for that I am very happy (since that was my biggest complaint since 2005). 

The only thing that I thought needed work was the Youth program and Youth talent show. Who is going to run this Bongo Sammelon thing in 50-60 years? WE ARE. If not run the program, at least hope to play a part in it. There has to be a way to keep my generation interested, and stuffing a youth talent show in a small meeting room with no stage and a bad sound system is not going to hold anyone's interested. Hall A was the perfect place to hold a proper, community kids talent show where the participants would have a proper stage, the scope of a bigger audience, and higher quality acts. But in a small room like the one we were given? No one is going to care about which talented teenager is doing what. 

Great review!

-Brinda Guha
Kalamandir Dance Company (kalamandirdanceco.webs.com)
Kalamandir of NJ (njkalamandir.webs.com)