Mission and Objectives
To organize and celebrate Bengali social and cultural events
To promote appreciation and understanding of Bengali culture, language and traditions.
To teach the children of the Bengali and international community, the Bengali language, culture and traditions.
To co-operate with other cultural groups and regional organizations in promoting and sharing Indian culture
To act as a vehicle for charitable purposes in the greater Columbus community.
Inception
The articles and bylaws of COBCA can be downloaded from here
In a world consumed with materialism where technological advancement has exceeded humanity, a group of immigrant Bengalis (Asian Indian) on a late afternoon in the year 1988 debated "how to live." besides working at their regular jobs. One of them resignedly quoted what Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980) once said "Everything has been figured out, except how to live." Undaunted, they debated until the choice was unanimous – appreciation of art and culture. It wasn’t a difficult choice since art & culture have always been very dear to Bengal’s heart and mind. No one can deny the fact that the giants of Bengal not only reformed and enriched India but have nourished the consciousness of the rest of the world. The thoughts of these luminaries are best expressed in the native language Bengali. In America, where English is the language for communication, the members agreed they will try to inculcate India’s rich heritage in Bengali into the minds of their children and spread this through cultural programs. Thus was formed Central Ohio Bengali Cultural Association (COBCA).
Our pledge to Bengali language and its culture
The nurturing of our rich Bengali language in every form is the main objective of BCA. On some occasions, we express doubts like "Bideshe Bangla culture niye ato matamati karar ki ache; amader anek second generations to Bangla boltei pare na.." (Why is there so much fuss about Bengali culture in a foreign land — many of our second generations cannot even speak Bengali.) Not only is this kind of reckless statement on our part misconceived, but it is also damaging to our younger generation.
First of all, do we truly realize when we are talking about the Bengali language, we are assessing a world-class language? We may all know this is a language whose translation into English by the same author (Tagore) of the book Gitanjali brought the Nobel Prize for literature in 1912. Does every Bengali child know this was the first award of that prize to an Asiatic who was a Bengali? Do we all know Rabindranath Tagore’s Bengali song (Bharata-bhagya-vidata) has passed into the common heritage of India’s national anthem and he is the only author in the world who wrote the national anthem (Amar Sonar Bangla, Ami Tomay Bhalobashi) for another country Bangladesh?
When the Bengali movie "Pather Panchali." (Song of the little road) brought India into the world map of original movie-makers, its director, humanistic movie master Satyajit Ray acknowledged much of its tumultuous success to Bibhutibhushan’s narrative. While portraying nature through sheer artistry of the language, Bibhutibhushan made art out of the overlooked. And Ray always had faith that "art wedded to truth must in the end have its reward.." Do we all know, while the average costs of Hollywood movies run into hundreds of millions of dollars, Satyajit created timeless Bengali movies with budgets ranged from $15,000 to $60,000? How much did he make for the work of writing, producing, directing, filming and composing? Typically $3300. The rivers of feeling in Bengali classics that Satyajit presented in his films, enriched the emotional sediment of the viewers all over the world. Can anyone doubt the importance of a culture born out of such a language — a language for which millions sacrificed their lives and formed a new independent nation — Bangladesh?
Let us not be mistaken — we are not getting mentally incapacitated by sudden outbursts of emotions. No one is suggesting a forced learning of Bengali language or its culture on our children but should we not at least, tell these proud facts of our heritage and encourage them to learn more? No matter where we live, if We, the parents, do not honestly feel passionate and proud about our heritage, our children never will.
Secondly, to those who grew up in India and Bangladesh and later settled in this country, almost a daily dose of Bengali music is a necessity. We live in a hectic world that is full of opportunity but also consumed by materialism and restlessness to the point of insanity. At the end of the day, we retreat into a culture whose lyric almost therapeutically soothes our nerves and helps us readjust our mind to the true meaning of life — life that discerns substance from superficiality, happiness from restlessness and, above all, commitment to family from individual hedonism. Younger generations who may apparently seem detached from Bengali culture and do not speak the language, are also unknowingly benefited by observing their parents’ rock solid faith in these time-tested values that this culture embodies.
Mario Cuomo, former governor of New York, once stated (not exact quotation), "United States is a very young country — she has just reached her adolescence and is yet to attain adulthood. You can expect youthful exuberance, not matured actions.." We have the unique opportunity to combine in our actions, this great country’s spontaneity with our time-weathered wisdom. We Bengalis are so fortunate that the rich conduit (Bengali language) helps us reach those wise but practical thoughts from our literary reservoirs. Atul Prasad Sen after returning from England as a barrister, understood the importance of the language and created some immortal songs. What he said almost one hundred years ago became more relevant day by day: "Moder garab moder asha, a mori Bangla bhasa.." (Our pride, our hope, O our language Bengali!)
Our Progress
The objective to enhance the ethical dimensions in the minds of the young by having them involved in arts and cultural events has opened a greater perspective in their lives over the years. It is a delight to see yesterday’s children have not only blossomed into today’s young artists but also grown to appreciate the best of both cultures – east and west. We expect they are becoming not only Indian Americans but world citizens. It is hoped this artistic background will help them to become compassionate and better human beings apart from being successful in their individual aspirations. At least an effort was made thru this association to impart into the young impressionable minds the practicality of western rational procedure with the spirituality of India’s Upanishadic heritage.
These young dancers and musicians now routinely perform in the Columbus Symphony Cadet Orchestra, United Nations festivals, community organizations, different schools, professional theater halls, other states and even outside United States. In addition to being outstanding achievers in academics and doing community services, they have won awards and appreciation wherever they have performed.
Through COBCA’s initiative, Columbus has earned the unique distinction of being the only city in the mid-west where the finest performing artists from India have agreed to perform every year for the last nineteen years. To name a few among many renowned performances held in Columbus are Ravishankar’s sitar, Mamata Shankar’s ballet, P.C Sorcar’s magic, Manna Dey & Abhijeet’s song , Sayak’s theater, Zakir Hussein’s tabla etc.
Artists love to perform in this friendly city because they know Columbus residents of all nationalities appreciate art and culture. It would not be an exaggeration to acknowledge the fact that COBCA has played a significant role in making Columbus a diversified cultural center in USA. The Ohio Arts Council, Governor’s multicultural office, Columbus foundation, Nationwide Insurance and others have supported COBCA’s effort in presenting multi cultural performances.
Present activity
COBCA volunteers routinely participate in several community outreach missions that include organized food drive activities and feed the hungry program. Several members are actively involved with charity organization like AID (link) and ASHA (link). COBCA has raised funds and donated generously to flood, Tsunami and other natural disasters that affected victims not only in India but elsewhere.
COBCA has started a school "Bidyayan." (link) to educate youth with Bengali language and the cultural heritage of India. The teachers are voluntarily providing the service to the community. The School is open to all and provides an excellent opportunity to the youths of local communities to learn and enjoy the diversity of India’s ancient culture. A Bengali library (link) has also been made available to the members.
COBCA has a cricket team (link) and has participated in the Midwest Cricket Tournament (link). The team was group champion for the years 2004 & 2005 and became the tournament champion last year (2006). Teams from West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana regularly participate in this tournament. COBCA will be hosting Bangamela 2008 (link) in Columbus on July 18-20th, 2008 under the sponsorship of MABA (Mid America Bengali Association). This spectacular Bengali event will showcase the very best of Bengal and its culture.
What is the future of this association?
It all depends on us. No one can predict the future. However, one can say with certainty, in today’s age of globalization, there will be more exchange of people between India and the west. With the aging of earlier immigrants, new fresh youngsters will continue to come to USA and others parts of the west. They will carry forward the tradition of our culture by working hand in hand with the seniors. As long as we truly believe in the values of the Indian way of life, not because of tradition but its power of spirituality, the Bengali music and culture will remain a part and parcel in our lives. Is living in and doing what US says the answer to world’s problem? Not at all. In fact, it is the cause for so many of the problems in the world today. US consume 30 per cent of all the world's products though it has only 4 per cent of the world's population. If we were all to be like America, we would need eight planet earths.
This all engulfing consumerism and greed have put our very existence at stake by causing global warming. In spite of phenomenal success in science and technology, what we have truly achieved is global inequality. It has been a race to the bottom in stead of uplifting the humanity. The bottom line has been how to earn more profit for few individuals by exploiting cheapest labor from around the globe. As India’s Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, rightly pointed out recently (not exact quote) "If Indian corporate CEOs compete with their American counterparts in terms of salary and perks, instead of trying to see how the upsurge in the economy is helping the millions of poor in India, the inequality will grow further.".
The test lies with the parents who came from India and Bangladesh. If we can impart thru our action and not by words to our children one basic India’s teaching to the world (as Ramkrishna and Vivekananda pointed out) that the primary cause for the suffering and bondage in the human body is lust and greed, we will be offering them the best advice – soul liberating freedom. The association’s effort has been to accentuate that belief in the cultural programs presented. It does not matter whether our next generations speak, write or read Bengali, the actions of their parents will leave a lasting and indirect influence in their lives.
Rabindranath Tagore who instilled India’s Upanishadic education and who is universally regarded as the product of the best of traditional Indian values and modern western ideals, reminds us what Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860), German philosopher and writer wrote "In the whole world there is no study so beneficial and so elevating as that of the Upanishads. It has been the solace of my life--it will be the solace of my death.".