Issac Andrew:
In the heart of Jackson Heights, the aroma of traditional Bengali sweets and the hum of cultural celebration filled the air as the Thikana Pitha Utsab brought together hundreds of community members on Saturday, February 7, 2026. The day-long festival, organized by the renowned Thikana Group, transformed the Thikana Community Hub into a vibrant space of connection, nostalgia, and festivity.
Running from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM on the fourth floor of Bari Tower, the event showcased a colorful array of traditional pithas—sweet and savory rice cakes synonymous with Bangladeshi winter. With stalls offering everything from patishapta and bhapa pitha to savory delights, attendees enjoyed not just the flavors of home, but also the warmth of shared memories and community ties.
Mushrat Shaheen Anubha, Vice Chair and COO of Thikana Group, reflected on the importance of the festival: “Winter means pitha. It means memories of village courtyards, the taste of our mothers’ cooking, and the steam rising from a cup of tea. We wanted to bring that feeling to our community here in New York.”
More than just a culinary event, the festival also served as a cultural gathering, featuring poetry, music, and casual adda—conversations that echoed the essence of Bengali hospitality and joy. In her invitation to the community, Anubha emphasized that the Thikana Community Hub is “not just a venue, but a cultural home for our diaspora.”
The event’s chief coordinator, Abir Alamgir, noted that interest in the festival had grown significantly, with enthusiastic participation from both stall vendors and visitors. The vibrant turnout highlighted the deep-rooted connection Bangladeshi-Americans maintain with their heritage, even thousands of miles from home.
By fostering such intergenerational and intercultural moments, the Pitha Utsab succeeded not only in delighting the senses but in reaffirming identity. One attendee remarked, “This isn’t just about food—it’s about remembering who we are.”
As winter slowly fades in New York, the warmth of the Thikana Pitha Utsab remains a reminder of how shared traditions continue to strengthen and uplift immigrant communities across the city.
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