NYN Newsroom :
The scent of ripe jackfruit transformed a familiar New York Thursday gathering into a celebration of Bengali memory, language, and belonging, as community members came together for an evening filled with poetry, music, food, laughter, and stories from home.
The informal gathering, known for moving freely from one subject to another, has grown over time into a regular community tradition. Past programs have included women’s gatherings, book discussions, poetry evenings, themed cultural events, and even a photo exhibition reflecting life during the coronavirus pandemic. This time, the focus was jackfruit, the national fruit of Bangladesh.
Many guests arrived wearing saris in shades of yellow, green, and gold, reflecting the colors of the fruit. The room filled with the familiar scent of ripe jackfruit as participants recalled childhood trees, sticky hands and clothes, family meals, and differing opinions about the fruit itself. Despite those varied memories, the gathering carried one shared idea: jackfruit represents more than food. It holds a place in Bengali childhood and cultural identity.
Poet Subodh Sarkar attended the gathering and remarked that he had never heard of an adda quite like it. His presence added literary depth to the evening, while noted recitation artist Dr. Faruk Azam performed poetry in a voice participants described as giving new life to the words. A senior community leader also helped guide the gathering.
Traditional food strengthened the connection to home. Selina Uddin, described as New York’s first Bengali woman real estate agent and an author, brought birni rice pudding. Guests also shared milk, yogurt, flattened rice, and puffed rice. From New Jersey, Mohammad Chowdhury and Tahmina Chowdhury sent vegetables grown in their home garden as a gesture of affection.
The event also included recognition of volunteer service at the recently completed FIFA World Cup, with a certificate signed by the FIFA president presented before attendees. Several participants from other states joined virtually, extending the gathering beyond New York.
Though jackfruit provided the theme, the evening ultimately celebrated Bengali roots, shared language, and community connection. The gathering showed how the memory of home often returns through familiar scents, childhood flavors, poetry, and conversation around a table.
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