Patna: The fragrance of Bengali cuisine, the rhythm of Rabindra Sangeet and a display of cultural traditions marked the annual Bangla Mela organised by the Patliputra branch of the Bihar Bengalee Association at the Ram Mohun Roy Seminary in Patna on Sunday.The occasion was also the birth centenary celebration of legendary music director, composer, lyricist and writer Salil Choudhury and renowned Bengali poet and playwright Sukanta Bhattacharya.Participants relished traditional Bengali dishes, including ‘dal, bhaat, jhuri alu bhaja, maach-er-jhol and mishti doi’, while listening to performances of Rabindra Sangeet and Bengali folk songs.“Bengalis love food, and there is music and festivity all around to bring our community together,” said Bibhas Dutta, secretary of the Patliputra branch of the association.The event served as a gathering point for Bengalis living in the state. Bidyut Pal, general secretary of the Bihar Bengalee Association, said the association aims to bring together the entire community of approximately 13.5 lakh Bengalis in Bihar. He added the population consists of 7 lakh generational urban Bengalis and 6.5 lakh resettled refugee Bengalis.Pal also noted that Bengalis now comprise about 1% of Bihar’s population. “Textbooks and study materials are available, but there is a shortage of Bengali teachers,” he said.“The association was formed so that Bengalis could unite and be as much a part of Bihar as Hindi-speaking people, but partiality towards Bengalis still persists,” alleged Dr Captain Dilip Kumar Sinha.As many as 25 stalls were set up and several activities, including musical chairs, quiz, drawing competitions and fancy dress, were organised on the occasion. For many local residents, the fair provided a rare social outing.“It is a get-together and an opportunity to meet old friends,” said Chaitali Sengupta Roy, an educator and resident of Nala Road. “A day when housewives do not have to cook, so we enjoy it the most,” she added.
