By Kate Dempsey
The bedazzled dresses of the dancers shone like their own galaxies filled with twinkling stars alongside the full moon for which they were there to celebrate. Music emanated throughout the entire Student Center, spreading a symphony of laughter and singing as members joined together in song. The Bangladesh Student Association held this celebration, known as “Purnima Raat” (পূর্ণিমা রাত “Night of the Full Moon”), on Dec. 3, inviting all to observe the night.
For lead organizers of the event, the goal was to introduce Brooklyn College students to Bangladeshi culture through the full moon celebration and by showcasing elements of their culture through a variety of dances, skits, and Bangladeshi poems and songs. For Bangladeshi-American students, it was a moment to feel even more connected to their culture.
“The goal of the BSA hosting Purnima Raat tonight is essentially to kind of capture and captivate the crowd and allow people a chance to celebrate their Bangladeshi heritage while being overseas and out of the homeland,” Naheen Khan, vice president of BSA, told The Vanguard. “But at the same time, in this diverse environment at Brooklyn College, one of the most diverse I would say universities within New York City and if not the whole of the U.S., essentially invite other people from other cultures to come and enjoy ours.”
In addition to celebrating the full moon as part of their culture, the night was to also celebrate their independence as a country (marked by the upcoming “Victory Day” on Dec. 16) and the distinct cultural practices that make their country different from other countries in the Desi and South Asian diaspora. One way this is shown is through their traditional dances.
“This celebration is basically about our culture, about our independence, about the dances […] a lot of our history and culture is shown through singing, through show, through dancing, show through decoration and colors,” Tunazzina Sakal, president of BSA, told The Vanguard. “It’s kind of all coordinated according to Victory Day. It’s just our way of showing our history, not through like a textbook, reading, speech, and everything like that, but through dancing interpretation.”
For many of the leaders of the event, their independence strikes a personal chord in a country that was founded a little over 50 years ago, with many family members having partaken in the war for their independence. To organizers, it was important to distinguish itself as its own country, which fought for its right to speak its own language.
“It’s very important as a community to know that we’re different […] This is what we fought for, our parents fought for, and a lot of us are still emotionally very close […] we only got independent 50 years ago, which is not long ago,” said Sakal.
For others, partaking in the event means an opportunity to connect closer to their roots when they might otherwise be unable to visit their home country. Beyond having a connection to their home country, BSA members have the opportunity to connect with their native language, one that previous generations fought to keep.
“As a Bengali myself, I was born here in the United States. I’ve actually never been back home. But because of this club, I was able to connect with my heritage and kind of closed the gap of my duality,” said Khan. “Our forefathers, in fact my own grandparents, they fought a war to liberate our country […] Our country is one of the first countries in the world, if not the only, that fought to speak its language. And being able to speak your mother tongue is super important because this is the language of your ancestors, and essentially that’s what this club did for me. It taught me how to speak this language and to connect with my heritage.”
The night began with a recitation of a poem–known as a “kobita”–followed by dancer performances interwoven with comedic ads–known as “natok”–in the program. The goal of the organizers was to incorporate tradition with modernity, culminating in a range of experiences for the audience.
“I was thrilled to contribute creatively […] Every performer put in so much time and effort, even during finals season, because we genuinely care about preserving and sharing our culture,” said Faria Prova, treasurer of BSA and director of the event’s layout. “Seeing our team’s hard work come to life and being part of something that brings our community closer is truly rewarding.”
For the performers in the show, it served as a moment to have greater appreciation for their culture while sharing it with the crowd.
“Performing for the BSA has become a core part of my identity. It’s not just about celebrating my culture, but also about expressing myself in a way that connects me to my heritage,” Asma Rammisa, social media manager of BSA and one of the performers, told The Vanguard. “Performing with my friends makes the experience even more meaningful, bringing joy and a sense of belonging. It’s a way to celebrate my Bengali roots and keep them alive here in the USA.”
Towards the end of the show, the audience was treated to a live band featuring BSA members from the City College of New York (CCNY), which they said was to create solidarity amongst the broader Bangladeshi community in CUNY.
“BSA is not just about preserving our heritage–it’s about sharing it,” said Ramisa. “Members of CCNY BSA joined us as guests, showcasing how our collaboration goes beyond individual campuses. BSA allows us to celebrate our culture while building meaningful relationships across different communities.”
To help put on the event, BSA’s board reached out to Triangle Solutions, a NYC-based event planning company which offers decor, photography, DJ services, and more. Led by CEO and founder Md Nojibullah, who graduated BC in 2018 with a degree in computer science, the alum-led company contributed to show appreciation for all that BSA does.
“As an alumnus, it’s a joy to collaborate with the Bangladesh Student Association. The BSA represents the vibrant energy and culture that Triangle Event Solutions celebrates. When we were approached to sponsor Purnima Raat, we were thrilled to contribute,” Nojibullah told The Vanguard.
The organizers both of BSA and Triangle Solutions expressed that lots of preparation went into putting on the night’s celebrations, which included hours of brainstorming ideas, planning, and rehearsing the event. To BC alumni, it was a moment to honor the past, present, and future of BSA.
“The mutual respect and dedication between our team and the BSA made this collaboration truly seamless and rewarding,” said Nojibullah. “For me, coming back to Brooklyn College in this capacity feels like a full-circle moment. It’s not just about sponsoring an event, but about giving back to a community that shaped me and celebrating the next generation of leaders.”
The leaders of BSA hoped that the night not only brought the Bangladeshi community together, but also brought others into their space to experience the culture. Beyond Bangladesh, they hope that it opened up a path for everyone to enjoy their own culture.
“We’re all humans and we all share this earth. It doesn’t matter if you’ve covered the corners of the other side,” said Khan. “Just always connect with your heritage […] because it’s one of the greatest things you can do.”