Music, dance, and 'Dada'-giri: Lots of action at India Today Conclave East on Day 1

Cricketing legend Sourav Ganguly, percussionist Bickram Ghosh, violinist Sunita Bhuyan, and Odisi danseuse Sanchita Bhattacharyawere in attendance as the India Today Conclave East 2017 got off to a flying start in Kolkata.

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Sourav Ganguly at the India Today Conclave East 2017
Sourav Ganguly at the India Today Conclave East 2017

The India Today Conclave East 2017 began today in Kolkata, with iconic luminaries from politics, sports and cinema in attendance.

In his inaugural address, India Today Editor-in-Chief Aroon Purie said what West Bengal did today would determine the India of tomorrow.

"From your brave and brilliant chief minister to the strongman of Assam; from your captain who taught Team India confidence to your actors who show us the highs and lows of emotion; from Union ministers who understand the importance of acting east to industrialists who are transforming its economic fabric; from a designer who weaves magic with his clothes to musicians who spread joy with their artistry, we expect two days of illumination, inspiration and intellectual stimulation," he said.

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Here is the full coverage of India Today Conclave East 2017.

WATCH | India Today Conclave East 2017 opens on a high musical note

Percussionist Bickram Ghosh, violinist Sunita Bhuyan, and Odisi danseuse Sanchita Bhattacharya delighted the audience with a spellbinding collaborative performance in the first session of the day.

The next session featured none other than the Prince of Calcutta himself.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly and his wife Dona joined India Today's Boria Majumdar for a wide-ranging conversation: they spoke about the Kohli-Tendulkar comparison, tough times Ganguly has faced during his career, the shirt-waving incident at Lord's and much more.

Dona Ganguly revealed what Ganguly, a man remembered for his aggressive captaincy, was like at home.

"He is Sourav at home. He takes control but in a nice, subtle way. He does control the house. He is very busy but when he is there, we respect him and do only what he wants," Dona said.

Ganguly himself said he was "a very quiet person off the field, very laidback like a lot of Bengalis."

WATCH | Sourav Ganguly's shirt-waving at Lord's was a fantastic gesture, says Dona at India Today Conclave East 2017

Next up was a session with actor and producer Prosenjit Chatterjee, who spoke about his work in Bengali cinema in the last 35 years, the Padmavati controversy, and more.

WATCH | Prosenjit Chatterjee on Padmavati row, Bengali cinema, and upgrading himself

To get all the latest updates from the India Today Conclave East 2017, follow our live blog.

To read more news stories from the conclave, click here.