History of Bengali Association Singapore

The first attempt to form a Bengali association was made as early as 1920 and a second attempt in 1936 but apparently without the ingredients of intent and leadership. In1954, at an informal gathering at the residence of Mr. H. C. Dass, in Rangoon Road, it was proposed that Bijoya Sammelani be held. Spurred by the success that year and the following year the momentum gained led to a meeting at the Ramakrishna Mission, at No. 9 Norris Road, under the chairmanship of Mr. T. P, Karmakar, to discuss the formation of an association. A proposal, which read: This meeting resolves to form an association under the name Singapore Bengali Association was unanimously accepted and an ad hoc committee was elected and empowered to frame a constitution. The draft constitution stated that the object of the Association was to promote social, cultural, educational and recreational activities amongst its members as well as to hold annual celebrations in which Bengalis are particularly interested. The objectives still remain. The official address of the Association was to be No. 9 Harlyn Road.

The Registrar of Societies approved the constitution and the Singapore Bengali Association came into being with a membership of fifty families on 10 September 1956.

The first program was, of course, to celebrate Bijoya Sammelani. Amongst the annual celebrations that gradually became integrated with the activities of the Association were Saraswati and Durga Puja, Rabindra-Nazrul Jayanti, Nababarsha, picnics and sports. Dramas, songs and dance dramas formed part of the celebrations. In the early years food were prepared by the members.

The Associations first Magazine, Milon, was published in 1960. In its early years it used to be cyclostyled, stapled, trimmed and pressed by hand in a British Army office The magazine is still published annually to day but with a gloss and shine.

With the passing away of the older generation a new breed of members has not only kept it very much alive but has made it a home away from home, especially for a sizable expatriate Bengali community made up of IT specialists, financial experts, medical specialists, regional directors of multinational corporation and so on. They and their families have brought with them the wealth of Bengali culture of songs, dances, dramas, etc. With a membership of about 400 and with a large number having become citizens the roots of Bengali culture has been firmly planted in Singapore. This website and its contents is one tribute to the excellence that we have witnessed in the short history of the Association.