THE VOICE OF BIPA

Welcome to the official BIPA newsletter: "The Voice of BIPA." This is where our voices unite, stories inspire, and our community thrives. Get the latest updates, highlights, and behind-the-scenes looks at the people and events shaping BIPA. Whether you’re new or a longtime member, this is your space to stay connected, celebrate impact, and amplify our voice — together.

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BIPA Media Team, Nahreen Islam & Nawshin Chowdhury
April 30, 2025

Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, marks the first day of the Bengali calendar and is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Bangladesh, West Bengal, and Bengali communities around the world. Pohela Boishakh is more than just the start of a new year; it is a vibrant celebration of renewal, unity, and hope. People dress in traditional clothes, join colorful parades like the Mangal Shobhajatra in Dhaka, enjoy festive foods, and take part in cultural performances. Communities come together to wish each other “Shubho Noboborsho,” or Happy New Year.

For the Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA), Pohela Boishakh holds a special place in our hearts. Our journey began 30 years ago with a Boishakh celebration, and today, three decades later, we are proud to still honor that same spirit of culture, community, and tradition.

Lets Hear from An Alumni!

Fahim Ferdous

Fahim Ferdous has been part of the BIPA family for as long as he can remember. The son of renowned dance instructor and choreographer Annie Ferdous, Fahim grew up surrounded by the energy, artistry, and community that make BIPA so special. From backstage rehearsals to festival celebrations, BIPA has always been a second home to him.

When we asked Fahim to share his memories of Pohela Boishakh, he reflected:

“Growing up in Brooklyn, I was always pulled to all the Pohela Boishakh events by my parents. I remember it always being fun. The first thing I did was try to find my friends, Shohan, Pavel, Amit. I knew we’d help with setup, teardown and then hopefully get delicious food afterwards. Maybe squeeze in some handball or football if we were lucky.

My most recent special Pohela Boishakh memory is in my early-20s, when I lived in San Francisco and I surprised my parents by visiting NYC for a random weekend. I landed early in the morning from an overnight flight not realizing it was Pohela Boishakh. My mom told me to meet them at BIPA at our old Astoria location. One thing led to another, and Nadeem from my tabla class and I strapped on these massive masks on our backs, walked the parade and had an AMAZING time. Looking forward to doing it again!

Fahim Ferdous - BIPA Alumni

Fahim Ferdous, Nadeem Ahmad, and friends at BIPA Boishakh Parade

Student Spotlight:

What is the Student Spotlight?
The Student Spotlight is a special section where we recognize students who go above and beyond—whether in academics, leadership, kindness, or creativity. Each month, we ask teachers to nominate students who stand out in a positive way. It’s our way of celebrating the amazing things students are doing and sharing their stories to inspire others in our school community.

Zunairah Noureen Islam

Zunairah Noureen Islam is a driven and passionate 12-year-old 6th grader who has been part of BIPA since November 2019. In just six years, her dedication and discipline have allowed her to accomplish incredible milestones—graduating from Bangla class, advancing two class levels in just two years, and now thriving in her second year of dance and vocal. Zunairah is known for her punctuality, commitment to homework, and focus in class. She credits her growth to the supportive teachers at BIPA and looks up to her Selima Aunty and Maisha Apu for their guidance and strength. Zunairah brings her energy and talent to every show, and her love for learning and excellence continues to inspire her peers. With dreams of becoming a cardiologist one day, she proves that hard work and passion can lead to anything.

  • Zunairah loves the excitement and energy of Boishakh, especially the audience involvement and colorful parades—she even participated in the indoor parade last year!

  • She performed kobita during BIPA’s 30th anniversary and will be showcasing gaan, kobita, and nach in the upcoming Boishakh show.

  • Although performances can be stressful, she finds them fun and wishes for more talent-show-style competitions at BIPA.

Drew Romeo Quiah

Drew R. Quiah is an 11-year-old 5th grader whose dedication to learning and passion for Bangla culture make him a standout member of the BIPA community. Despite living in North Carolina—an 8 to 10-hour commute away—Drew has consistently shown incredible commitment to his vocal, recitation, and Bangla studies. With seven years at BIPA and currently in his fourth year of Bangla, he continues to grow under the mentorship of teachers like Nilu Aunty, who has supported him since he was just four years old. Drew finds inspiration in his Alvan Bhaiya and Nilu Aunty, crediting them for helping him become the best version of himself. He not only dreams of becoming an athlete but also hopes to one day return to BIPA as a teacher to uplift and support future students just like him.

  • Drew’s favorite BIPA memory is performing from home during COVID, where he received a scholarship for gaan and kobita.

  • He loves the joyful colors of Boishakh and wants to see more outdoor programs by the water or in parks.

  • He performed gaan during BIPA’s 30th anniversary and will perform both gaan and kobita in the upcoming show.

A Look Back At Our Past Month

March 26th: Independance Day at City Hall:

On March 26th, we commemorated Bangladesh Independence Day, marking the nation's historic declaration of independence in 1971. This day honors the courage, sacrifices, and resilience of those who fought for freedom, while also celebrating Bangladesh’s rich cultural heritage and the unity that continues to shape its identity. This year, BIPA proudly celebrated the occasion at City Hall with a vibrant program featuring traditional songs and dances performed by BIPA students and artists. The event, hosted by NYC Council Majority Leader Amanda Farías and joined by Council Member Shahana Hanif, paid tribute to the spirit of independence and recognized the cultural contributions of the Bangladeshi community in New York City.

April 1st: Eid-Ul Fitr Celebration at Brooklyn Children's Museum

BIPA brought the joy of Eid-Ul Fitr to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum on April 1st with an unforgettable celebration filled with music, dance, and cultural storytelling! Our talented students and performers took the stage in colorful traditional attire, sharing the beauty of Bengali heritage through graceful dances and soulful songs that had the audience smiling, clapping, and cheering along. The event was more than just a performance—it was a vibrant display of unity, tradition, and the spirit of Eid. Families of all backgrounds came together to celebrate love, community, and culture in a truly magical afternoon.

 Check out our Upcoming Events:

Celebrate Bengali New Year 1432 with BIPA!

Join us for a weekend of music, dance, and cultural celebration as BIPA presents a special series of events to mark the Bengali New Year 1432.

Saturday, May 10th & Sunday, May 11th at 6:30 PM

Venue:

Transit: Take E Train to Jamaica Center - Parsons/Archer and walk about 3 Mins

Immerse yourself in the cultural richness of Bengali traditions with a multi-genre presentation featuring:

  • Vocal performances

  • A special recitation piece

  • Dance production “TagoreSpeare”

  • Celebration of International Dance Day
    This event promises a blend of heritage, artistry, and community spirit.
    Admission: $10

 What to expect on May 10th at 6:30 pm:

Color and Melody of Robiraag

Experience the timeless beauty of Rabindranath Tagore’s music in “Color and Melody of Robiraag.” This vocal presentation will transport you through the poetic and melodic landscapes of Tagore’s legacy.

What to Expect on Sunday, May 11th at 6:30 PM

TagoreSpeare

Don’t miss this powerful fusion of Shakespeare and Tagore’s philosophies in “TagoreSpeare: A Dance Odyssey.” This unique dance show explores the seven stages of life through expressive movement and music. 

Bengali New Year 1432 Celebration

Dancing Across Frontiers: A Celebration of International Dance Day

Introducing the Bangladesh Dancers Foundation – New York Chapter, this special showcase celebrates the universality of dance. Presented by Nrittoshilpi Foundation of Bangladesh (NY Chapter) in collaboration with BIPA, this event marks a new era of artistic exchange and cultural unity.

Follow us to Stay Connected to be the first to get updates on BIPA news, performances, and more!

Check out our LinkTree to get the links to subscribe to all of our new features such as our BIPA calendar which lists out the dates and times of all future BIPA events, as well as access to our Facebook and Instagram accounts for updates on BIPA events, programs, and more! Additionally, our new BIPA Podcast, now available on our YouTube channel (BIPA Official) will be releasing soon! In our very first episode, we welcome Selima Ashraf, one of BIPA’s founders and a vocal instructor for our older students.

Selima Ashraf is an integral part of BIPA’s culture and community, inspiring countless students through her dedication to music and education. In this episode, she shares her journey in shaping BIPA, her passion for the arts, and what drives her to teach.

Don’t miss out! Subscribe and turn on notifications so you’ll always know when a new podcast episode drops.