A Decade of Cultural Dedication: Shilpakala Academy USA Celebrates 12th Anniversary in New York
Progga News Desk, NY, USA:
Shilpakala Academy USA, a leading Bangladeshi-American cultural institution dedicated to promoting Bengali language, literature, and heritage on the global stage, celebrated its 12th founding anniversary with a vibrant event held at the Jewish Center in Jackson Heights, New York, on Sunday, June 29, 2025.
“New York State Assembly Member Steven Raga was warmly greeted with a floral bouquet and a traditional uttorio (ceremonial scarf) by the organization’s President, Monika Roy Chowdhury. She was joined by other executive members of the academy during the presentation.”
The evening began with the national anthems of both Bangladesh and the United States, followed by a moment of silence in honor of the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War. Members of the academy performed their organizational anthem, setting a reverent and patriotic tone.
“The organization's president Monika Roy Chowdhury and vice-president Milan Kumar Roy greeted the main sponsor of the event, prominent social worker and businessman Nurul Amin Babu, by wearing an Uttariya and presenting him with flowers.”
The event, presided over by President Monika Roy Chowdhury, featured a distinguished panel of speakers who praised the academy’s contribution to preserving Bengali culture in the diaspora. Among the keynote guests were New York State Assembly Member Steven Raga, mainstream politicians Dr. Dilip K. Nath and Morshed Alam, chief advisor Nadim Ahmed, advisors Husne Ara Begum and Jibon Chowdhury, freedom fighter Mir Moshiur Rahman, actress Shahinur, journalist Muhammad Fazlur Rahman, and patrons Nurul Amin Babu and Joy Turya Chowdhury.
New York State Assembly Member Steven Raga was warmly greeted with a floral bouquet and a traditional uttorio (ceremonial scarf) by the organization’s President, Monika Roy Chowdhury. She was joined by other executive members of the academy during the presentation.
General Secretary Amit Saha delivered the welcome speech, and the event was hosted by Vice President Milon Kumar Roy.
A highlight of the evening was the honoring of 12 renowned artists who have made significant contributions to the Bangladeshi music scene in New York. Honorees included Chandan Chowdhury, Shah Mahbub, Rajib Bhattacharya, Shibli Sadik, and Chandra Roy, among others, who were presented with crests and uttorios in appreciation of their dedication to the arts.
The cultural segment featured musical performances by popular artists including Shaheen Hossain, Karim Howlader, Runa Roy, Tanvir Shaheen, Konika Das, Mohar Khan, Lilian Bottleo, Sushmita, Payel, Gopal Kumar Roy, and Rozlin Bottleo, in addition to Vice President Milon Kumar Roy himself.
In her closing remarks, President Monika Roy Chowdhury expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the guests, performers, and supporters, and formally declared the celebration concluded.
Over the past twelve years, Shilpakala Academy USA has emerged as a vital force in the promotion of Bengali culture and identity in North America. As community leaders noted, its unwavering commitment to cultural heritage continues to inspire the next generation of artists and cultural advocates.
