MUMBAI: The countdown to Durga Puja, the much awaited annual celebration to welcome Ma Durga has begun and in less than a week, the residents of Bengal will herald the onset of Mahalaya by waking up to the resounding melody of Birendra Krishna Bhadra's 'Chandipath'. So intrinsically a part of the culture of Bengal, Mahalaya brings along with it, a unique spirit and festive air, including the fragrance of Night Jasmine and Catkin flowers. There is one more iconic event that connects Kolkata and Mahalaya very closely. Vodafone Aagomoni, the annual nightlong grand musical extravaganza held on the eve of Mahalaya, which will host its 16th edition this year.

Vodafone Aagomoni 2016 will take place on Thursday, 29 September 2016 at Science City Auditorium, Kolkata from 7: 30 PM onwards. As has been the practice, this year too Vodafone brings together an eclectic mix of music and dance legends- singer Monali Thakur, music maestro Tanmay Bose, renowned Sufi band- Lambada, Bengal’s beloved band Chandrabindoo, Dancer Tanushree Shankar-Sreenanda Shankar and Soumyajit Das, Sourendra Mullick to name a few.

Traditionally, the privilege of just select invitees, this edition of Vodafone Aagomoni takes a novel step to make the proceedings accessible to a larger group of music aficionados. Vodafone Aagomoni 2016 can for the first time be viewed LIVE on the Vodafone PLAY App. Vodafone customers across the globe can download and log into Vodafone PLAY App to get a live feel of the grandeur of Vodafone Aagomoni 2016.

Extending his Mahalaya greetings to Bengalis across India, Vodafone India National Head, Brand Communication and Insights Siddharth Banerjee said, “We are delighted to present the 16th edition of Vodafone Aagomoni, an event that has today become the hallmark of Mahalaya in Kolkata. What began in 2000 as an endeavour to translate our Vodafone’s Bengal, Bengal’s Vodafone ideology, has grown bigger and better with each passing year, drawing participation and accolades from the whos who of art and culture in West Bengal.”

“The launch of Vodafone SuperNetTM, - our best network ever, in the last quarter, has been a culmination of focused efforts and significant investments to strengthen network, so that our valued customers enjoy the finest connectivity and service experience. Taking Vodafone Aagomoni live on Vodafone PLAY Apprides on the strength and reliability of Vodafone SuperNetTM. I urge you all to download the Vodafone PLAY App on your mobile phones and get the ethereal experience of watching the legendary artistes perform LIVE at Vodafone Aagomoni 2016. Join Vodafone in extending a grand welcome to Ma Durga as she prepares for her annual visit to bless our homes and lives,” added Banerjee.

Vodafone PLAY in association with Hungama Play and HOOQ, lets the users surf through 100+ Live TV channels, over 18000 movies and TV show titles and a wide range of all genres of music. With the recently launched Vodafone SuperNetTM 4G in Bengal circle, Vodafone is also offering 3 months access to FREE TV, Movies & Videos on Vodafone Play as part of Vodafone 4G subscriptions.

To download Vodafone PLAY, the customers can send the text “PLAY” to 199 or can download it from Google PLAY Store (Android users) or App Store (I-phone users).

Vodafone India in association with a leading FM channel will be conducting a “Slogan Contest”, enabling 200 listeners to win couple passes to Vodafone Aagomoni 2016. Interested participants will have to come up with innovative and interesting slogans on Vodafone Aagomoni. Vodafone Aagomoni 2016 will also be telecasted LIVE on Zee Bangla.