Last year was the first time some of us attended the concert here in Kolkata and we at BITSAA Kolkata Chapter contributed in our own small way by being the lead sponsor. Also many of our BITSian mates from all around the country and abroad flew down for the special day. And when we all came out of the auditorium quite late in the night it was happiness of a different kind that probably words can’t describe and money can’t buy. Truly touching as we all now look forward to the upcoming SBOH Concert 2024 which is just a fortnight away. On December 7th and this time in Science City Mini Auditorium, Kolkata.
Sudeshna Beacon of Hope (SBOH)
A happy family life was cut short prematurely when Sudeshna lost to cancer in the year 2013. She was detected with ovarian cancer in 2010 and faced a grim prognosis. With a never-give-up attitude in spite of doctors giving up multiple times, she fought with determination and grace till she succumbed to the dreaded killer after an epic 39 months battle. And Suvasish & Shohon were shattered along with all of us family and friends. For Suvasish in particular it seemed all darkness and loneliness in store.
But he recovered from the shock like we all do with time. And set out on a mission. A mission to transform the lives of hundreds of underprivileged children who are fighting a battle against cancer everyday, a battle for existence. And make Sudeshna immortal.
And being a lyricist, guitarist and singer himself he chose music, the universal healer of grief to reach out to thousand of music lovers spread around the world. So that they too could make a difference in the lives of these innocent children who too have a dream. To live and smile.
And with him all this while has been his BITS Pilani mate and our very own Ranjan Biswas, a musician par excellence.
The journey
Sudeshna Beacon of Hope (SBOH) is a non-profit organization established by Suvasish Ghosh in memory of his wife Sudeshna. The objective was to spread her positivity and provide help to those who may unfortunately not have a financial or social support system.
Since 2016, the annual Sudeshna Beacon of Hope Concert has spread Sudeshna’s inspiring message through music and dance in India, USA, and even online during the pandemic. Funds raised from these concerts have helped support children with cancer. Through 8 concerts in 8 years, SBOH has donated more than Rs 45 Lakhs (USD 54k) to the underprivileged children fighting cancer at the Saroj Gupta Cancer Centre & Research Institute (SGCCRI), a non-profit cancer hospital in Kolkata, India. SBOH is committed to continue to support (SGCCRI), as their vision and mission resonate with each other.
Saroj Gupta Cancer Centre & Research Institute
In early 1973, seeing the plight of cancer patients who failed to get even a bed forget cancer care, Dr Saroj Gupta had a dream. Then a young Radiotherapist he formed a Society with a group of Doctors, social workers and philanthropists. His mission was to form a Cancer Centre for the cancer afflicted patients and their families. With special emphasis on the underprivileged people.
At Thakurpukur, on a piece of marshy land donated by the family of Late Chintaharan Das, Saroj Gupta Cancer Center & Research Institute was incepted. Initially it was to provide a sojourn to the distressed cancer patients who came from remote villages for treatment of cancer. No one ever thought that this little known Thakurpukur locality would be an internationally known destination someday which it is today.
The Green Campus
A Toy Train for the Kids
And State-of-the-art facilities
SBOH Concert 2023 – Some Moments
SBOH Concert 2024
Featuring Ranjan Biswas
Ranjan grew up in a musical environment listening to multiple genres of music. He started learning the violin from his school days and completed his grades from the Trinity College of Music. He played for the Calcutta Chamber Orchestra and Youth Orchestras in the late 70s.
He plays several other instruments. And with his varied exposure, he developed a keen interest in sound and harmony at a young age. He has arranged and composed music for orchestra, violin-piano duets, choral music, background scores for stage and visuals. As a volunteer for Keys of Change, Ranjan has played with the Fukushima Youth Sinfonietta in Fukushima, Tokyo and Boston.
Ranjan is also a Trustee and Manager of the Kolkata Symphony Orchestra and has been involved with the formation of the Kolkata Youth Orchestra since its inception. He plays the violin and viola for the orchestra, as needed. Apart from that, he leads and manages several functions starting from planning concerts, public relations, collaborative initiatives with local and foreign musicians. Can you imagine how proud we all BITSians feel.
The Artists
The best part about SBOH concerts are that they offer a wide variety in music & dance which is so very refreshing. And each of these artists in SBOH Concert 2024 are not only celebrities in themselves but are equally passionate about the cause. Here is a bit on them.
Anjali Roy – A cancer survivor and a dancer with an amputated leg, she is a true hero, champion and an embodiment of what Sudeshna Beacon of Hope stands for.
Debamalya Chattopadhay – A well-known personality in the world of Bengali modern and Tagore songs. In the course of his journey singer Debamalya became anchor and director in many TV programmes which mainly deal with research on music.
Dr Sucheta Sanyal – An Ophthalmologist by profession and a trained Hindustani classical music singer, she continued learning music in Houston (Texas) and loves to sing and perform regularly with her Kolkata-based bands, ‘Stormy Norma’ and ‘Sucheta’s Retro Bolly’. The Stormy Norma setlist is high energy, fun. Classic, Glam and Blues Rock with some Pop.
The Jiverz is a cool mood band and they play popular Retro Rock. And few of the most talented musicians in the city of Kolkata are creating music in togetherness across generations. They perform classic rock covers and of late are taking Kolkata by Storm !
Rohini Bhose Desai grew up in a musical family, with both parents being trained singers, and took to singing at an early age, From classic rock and pop music to hip-hop and contemporary electronic music, she is influenced by multiple genres.
Shohan – The son of Sudeshna & Suvasish, he has carried on the musical tradition from his parents. During the years of 2010 to 2013, Shohan channelized his emotional battles to song-writing and discovered his ability to sing in a wide vocal range, a voice inherited from his mother. A lyricist, guitarist and vocalist, Shohan has since then launched a number of bands and eventually ventured into his own solo musical career as a singer and song-writer.
Dr. Arnab Gupta – Director of Saroj Gupta Cancer Center & Research Institute who is himself a music enthusiast and vocalist who sings Hindi numbers.
Allapp Sardarh – A music producer, composer and keyboardist, he will be an integral part of the show.
Swarnali Bose is an award-winning vocalist, performer and playback singer having recorded in Hindi and Bengali for multiple record labels, short films, feature films and web series. She was the winner of Vodaphone Shera Voice in 2013 and was in the top 8 at Zee Bangla Sa Re Ga Ma Pa in 2014. She has performed with many stars and sings with Kumar Sanu during concerts in India and abroad.
A Tribute to Sudeshna
Hricha Debraj is a singer, lyricist and composer who has made a big name for herself in the world of music. She was the Zee Sa Re Ga Ma Pa winner in 2002 with a record of being a winner in seven episodes consecutively. She was also the winner of Hero Honda National Talent Hunt organized by Sangam Kala Group.
Every year Hricha records a special tribute song dedicating it to Sudeshna. She would be present virtually during the concert with us this year. And this is her number which she has recorded with Ranjan Biswas specially for the concert. So beautiful and touching from these two outstanding musicians.
Be there to support the cause. And donate whatever you can. Click below for tickets for the concert and donations towards the treatment of these innocent children!
Tickets & Donations to Sudeshna Beacon of Hope (SBOH)
A donation of Rs 10,000 can help support a child’s stay at the hospital for a week, or one month of maintenance chemo. Rs 50,000 helps with an initial month of chemo. Lots of money that is required and these children have none but us to look up to. To live and smile.
Come let’s together make a difference!
If you too believe in the cause, forward & PIN it for friends!
