Well-known Indian singer Kankana Banerjee will perform her third Mississauga concert, Friday night at the Burnhamthorpe Library Theatre.
The show is being presented by the Indo Canadian Cultural Club.
Born in Calcutta, Banerjee's mother taught her to sing at an early age, before taking private lessons at age 9. Banerjee eventually left Calcutta to settle in Bombay, where she sang in popular Indian films such as Ram Teri Ganga Maili and Eid Mubarak. These musicals featured her singing classical songs. She still lives in Bombay. Her two children live in Dubai.
"I sing my own style, and others learn from me in Bombay," she said. "Even though I'm a Bengali, Bombay is the place where you can capture the whole of India." Banerjee, who is affiliated with All India Radio in Bombay, has been performing for the last 30 years on both Radio and Indian television.
After the Mississauga concert, she will continue her tour, playing dates in New Jersey, Houston, Austin and Los Angeles before returning to India in September. "I'm used to the rigours of touring. Whatever the schedule, I accept with ease," she said. Seven years ago in Hyderabad, the singer met Mother Teresa, who presented her with an award. It was one of the highlights of Banerjee's life."I also sang for the former Indian president, R. Venkataraman, who told me that I should sing and represent India all over the world," said Banerjee."Indira Gandhi was also extremely fond of my music."
In 1998, Banerjee visited Canada for the first time. Her first Mississauga concert took place in 1999 at the Burnhamthorpe Library Theatre, and she returned last year to the same venue. This is her third concert there.