Five Poets in Our Hearts Abroad—Rabindra Academy of USA Celebrates Bengali Literary Heritage; Distinguished Writer Jiban Chowdhury Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

Progga News Desk : 
Rabindra Academy of USA celebrated the richness of Bengali language, literature, and culture through its signature event, “Five Poets in Our Hearts Abroad,” held on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at Queens Palace in Woodside, New York. The daylong program, which ran from 3 p.m. until 11:30 p.m., brought together members of the Bangladeshi-American community for an inspiring showcase of poetry, music, dance, and literary appreciation.

Designed to honor the enduring legacy of Bengal’s five literary giants—Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Dwijendralal Roy, Atul Prasad Sen and Rajnikant Sen,—the event aimed to introduce their works and philosophies to younger generations growing up in the United States. Organizers emphasized the importance of preserving Bengali language and cultural traditions while strengthening the connection between diaspora youth and their heritage.

The program opened with the national anthems of the United States and Bangladesh, followed by welcome remarks from Ruma Chowdhury, Founder and CEO of Rabindra Academy of USA. Addressing the audience, she reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to promoting Bengali language, literature, and cultural values among future generations and ensuring that the community’s rich heritage continues to thrive abroad.

Throughout the event, speakers praised the Academy’s ongoing efforts to preserve Bengali culture in the diaspora and commended Ruma Chowdhury’s leadership in fostering literary and artistic engagement within the community. They noted that initiatives like this play a vital role in strengthening cultural identity and encouraging younger generations to embrace their roots.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to distinguished writer, poet, lyricist, and playwright Jiban Chowdhury in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to Bengali literature and culture. The audience responded with prolonged applause as he accepted the prestigious honor, celebrating decades of literary excellence and creative achievement.

Among the distinguished guests were renowned physician and community leader Dr. Prabhat Das, Dr. Nayima Khan, Chair of Khan’s Tutorial, Syed Ashik Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of RTV Bangladesh, Democratic District Leader and community activist Dr. Dilip Nath, and community leader Sitangshu Guha.

Special guests included physician Dr. Utpal Chowdhury, community activist Rina Saha, entrepreneur Sumi Roy, and Uttom kumer shaha , Editor and Publisher of Progga News, along with many other respected members of the Bangladeshi-American community.

The cultural performances featured recitations, solo and group musical presentations, traditional dance, and dance dramas inspired by the timeless works of the five celebrated poets. Particularly moving were the performances by U.S.-born children and young artists, whose renditions of Rabindra Sangeet and Nazrul Geeti reflected both exceptional talent and a deep appreciation for their cultural heritage.

The program also explored the literary philosophies and humanitarian ideals of the five poets, highlighting themes of love, patriotism, equality, compassion, and the beauty of nature. Thought-provoking discussions and presentations examined the lasting influence of their writings and their continued relevance to contemporary society.

The event was organized under the leadership of Founder and President Ruma Chowdhury and General Secretary Dipak Das. Members of the organizing committee—including Convener Sushil Sinha, Chief Advisor Dr. Sabita Das, Coordinator Swapan Dutta, Co-Convener Parijat Das, Treasurer Ganesh Bhowmik, Cultural Secretaries Runa Roy and Shamsun Nahar Mili, Organizational Secretaries Aruna Saha and Ratna Das, Literary Secretaries Sumitra Sen and Shikha Rani Thakur, Youth Cultural Secretary Ritwika Banerjee, and Youth Coordinator Shubhajit Roy Chowdhury—played instrumental roles in the successful execution of the event.

The celebration concluded with a dinner reception for guests and participants. Attendees agreed that programs of this nature are essential to preserving Bengali language, literature, and cultural traditions while inspiring younger generations to remain connected to their heritage.

More than a cultural event, “Five Poets in Our Hearts Abroad” served as a powerful tribute to Bengali literature, creativity, and identity. It reflected the Bangladeshi diaspora’s enduring commitment to safeguarding its cultural legacy and passing it on to future generations, ensuring that the spirit of Bengali heritage continues to flourish far from home.