About CTBA
(Previously Dhrubotara)
CTBA, also recognized as Dhrubotara, stands united as a vast family that joyously embraces Bengali art, culture, literature, music, theater, sports, food, and festivals. Within this familial bond, it cultivates a sense of home amidst a distant land. CTBA serves as a cross-cultural platform, fostering the appreciation of 'Bangaliyana' through social gatherings and activities that not only inspire the dissemination of our culture worldwide but also encourage us to assimilate the best from our surroundings. The community's social cohesion creates strong bonds, paving the way for camaraderie that manifests in charitable endeavors, such as engagement with the 'Texas Food Bank' and contributions to the "Mayor's Fund."
Throughout the year, CTBA organizes events that promote face-to-face interactions, fostering a welcoming environment where everyone feels like an integral part of the community. These events become cherished memories, showcasing our uniqueness in promoting talent by encouraging every member to actively participate, considering each individual a star within the CTBA family.
CTBA, with its perfect blend of tradition and innovation, experience and execution, aspires to continue the successful journey initiated by a handful of enterprising families decades ago. The blending of old and new elements has propelled CTBA's growth over 30+ years, and as a community, we eagerly anticipate everyone's cooperation to sustain this success. From the inception, CTBA envisioned creating a close-knit family where everyone is accepted, fostering equal participation and support among members. The committee consistently passes the operational responsibilities to newer members, who demonstrate enthusiasm in growing the community bigger and stronger together.
Since its inception, CTBA has witnessed almost a 50% growth in the last five years, with a projected annual growth of 15%. As a community boasting 700+ members, CTBA strives to leverage its connections across the greater Austin area, collectively delivering maximum value to its members through partnerships.
We take pride in being Bengali, aiming to pass on our rich cultural heritage and traditions to the next generation. For us, being Bengali entails seizing opportunities for social gatherings, relishing soulful music, engaging in 'adda' or discussions during dinner featuring delectable cuisines. Our collective appreciation for art and literature nurtures poets and writers among us, while our passion for sports is evident in Sunday morning cricket sessions in Austin and occasional Sunday siestas as the world moves on.
In essence, CTBA is more than a community; it is a shared journey where its success is synonymous with our success. Together, we embark on special journeys, enriching each of our lives.
History
Austin was a smaller city then and the Bengali community consisted of a small group of people, a far cry from the vibrant community of today. From information shared by some of the first Bengal residents of Austin, such as Binita Bose, Neeta Ganguli and Indira Chakravorty, (who has since relocated to California but still has a close and warm connection with the Bengali community here), it was very interesting to learn the origin of the Central Texas Bengali Association which has been growing and serving the Bengali community for 30+years. In the early 1980’s a few Bengali residents of Austin and a large group of University of Texas students and their families met informally from time to time to socialize and observe events such as Bijoya Sanmiloni. In the year 1983, the group had the first Saraswati Puja held at the married students’ quarters on the UT Campus. Most of the work, like cooking, decorating other responsibilities were distributed to and performed by the members of the group. Many residents present during those events have fond memories of working hard but also having enormous fun and a pleasant feeling of being a part of a large family. Bishwanath Chakraborty, Indira Chakraborty and Binita Bose were at the helm as the organizers at these early events.
As the community started growing, there was a consensus to celebrate Durga Puja, a desire that every Bengali holds dear to heart. The first Durga Puja was held in 1991, with Amit Chakravorty as the president, Indira Chakravorty as the secretary and Binita Bose as the treasurer of the first Puja committee. It was held at the Leander City Hall situated in a very rural setting, not the present-day bustling suburb of Austin. There was almost no development much beyond the 183/620 junction, which was a simple 4-point intersection in those days. The first Protima was a story all its own. Financial resources being limited, it was not possible to have a professional idol manufactured, so other avenues were investigated. As it so happened there was an American Chinese University of Texas student, Mark Gee with an artistic bent and a friend of Amit and Indira Chakraborty’s son, who agreed to create the Idol from pictures. He used papier-mâché and later added clay to complete his creation. This hybrid Protima lasted for several years, living in people’s closets during the rest of the year, until a new Protima replaced it. The first Puja was performed by Professor Ranjit Chakraborty from Houston.The guests, 250 +, were all eager participants and quite a few were involved in preparing the food, decorations and clean ups. The first formal entertainment program was performed by community children, during the Durga Puja in the year 1993.
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By Shubha Di
Feels like home... away from home...
In Bengali, our family could be described as, “Bhaboghure”! Partly for professional calls and partly for extreme desire to see the unseen, we have moved and moved and moved! It is easier to tell where we have not been rather than where we have dropped our anchors in the last fifty years we have been in the USA. Fifteen years ago, in 2004, we came to Austin in search of a place to make our permanent home. As 2019 almost comes to an end, we know it sure was a good choice.
Central Texas Bengali Association, one of our first contacts for obvious reasons, was instrumental to our being introduced to the Bengali community and has played a very important role in our lives since then. As the city of Austin grew, so did CTBA, but it always felt as a close and comfortable organization to be a part of. Year after year, the talented executive groups that have carried on the flag of CTBA with great dedication have been able to bring the community together with great care. With the range of programs to fit the needs of all age groups CTBA has been a source of support not only to the new comers but also to all the residents that have made their homes in Austin for many, many years.
Thank you CTBA for being there and we wish you a great future ahead.
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​Subhadi, Sunitda