Bengali Pathshala: Building Bridge between Cultures
By Madeeha Zaheer
Last updated: Feb 28, 2009

HOUSTON: A coffee discussion among four indivduals, resulted in the starting of Bengali Patshala.

Bengali Patshala is the oldest language school, providing classes in the fourth most popular language, Bengali.

It started off with only five students. The number of students enrolling vary from semester to semester. This semester the pathshala has 14 students.

Imparting knowledge about Indian Culture, Bengali language, providing homework assistance, and extra curricular activities to children and adults of all age groups, the Bengali Pathshala is housed in India House.

Classes are conducted every Sunday. In addition to students from Houston, children and adults from Galveston too attend the class. Typically, the class begins with the Indian National Anthem and then is followed by Yoga for about 15 -20 minutes, thus starting the study with calm and composed mind.

After performing yoga, students along with their designated teachers start the language class. Groups are formed and teachers are designated depending on the level of bengali language proficiency. The school offers five levels, fifth being the highest one that entails speaking, reading and writing bengali efficiently.

There is no age limitation, on who could join the classes. The current batch not only has a toddler but also elderly indivduals as a student.

Neeta Sane is among the older students and her passion for her culture brings her to learn how to read and write bengali, “without our culture we are nothing, and this is helping me in maintaining my culture and heritage. Now I can conjugate well, and can write a letter too.” says Neeta.

S.K Bhattacharjee (Kumar), teacher and facilitator of Bengali Pathshala, provides insights to the hows and whys of the workings of the pathshala, “ The school was started by four individuals of the community to overcome three critical issues; peer pressure, trans -generational gap, and to help kids in finding their roots.

“ Kumar says that the community gathers every Sunday not on the basis for money, instead on spirit. Students are provided with encouragement and assistance whenever they need it. Not only knowledge on bengali language is imparted; but students are encouraged to learn music, dance annd history of India and Indian culture.

Additionaly, every week different families are designated to prepare lunch. This way, children get to have home cooked food. The Patshala is also a great source of networking, where families gather under one umbrella. The Hazra Family come from Galveston, so that their daughter Neer Hazra stays closer to Indian culture and values.

“Our goal is not to abandon the American value system, but to teach our children social responsibility, imbibe indian cultural values, so that they grow to understand their roots. Understanding where one belongs, also helps the children to be responsible citizens, thereby building bridges between two cultures and hone their inter-personal skills.

We want them to be productive, progressive and be good citizens” says Bhattacharjee. President Bengali Patshala, Sonali Sonnylal, wants to expand more and provide more services, “Without this school, our children would not have much exposure to Indian or Bengali culture, which could result in many socio - cultural issues. Knowing about the culture and language helps communicate with family members, especially grandparents. My goal for this year is to enhance the curriculum.” she adds.

For more information Bengali Patshala, contact S.K. Bhattacharjee (Kumar) at 281-999-6957