Cincinnati Cultural Initiative

Saraswati Puja 2024
2024-02-10 10:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Saraswati Puja 2024

﻿We will be celebrating Saraswati Puja on Saturday, 10th February at 10:00 am at the Terwilliger Lodge, (Address: 10530 Deerfield Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45242).This year’s puja promises to be a vibrant and joyous event filled with traditional rituals, and delicious prasad. We will also have a special kids’ cultural program, where our little ones can showcase their talents and immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Bengali culture.To help us plan accordingly, we kindly request everyone to RSVP by Feb 3rd, 2024.Kids’ Cultural Program:We are excited to host a kids’ cultural program as part of the festivities. This program will provide a platform for our young ones to showcase their talents and learn about Bengali heritage through fun and engaging activities. If your child is interested in participating, please contact Anwesha Basunia as soon as possible.We look forward to celebrating this auspicious occasion with you and your family. Come join us for a day of music, devotion, and community spirit!

Registration:We encourage everyone to register for the event to help us with headcount and ensure a smooth celebration.Registration can be done thru:zelle tohellocci2014@gmail.comorsend your check to Smita Sengupta, 4419 Meadowbrook Lane, Mason, OH 45040.Here are the registration fees:Members and Students (with a valid ID card):Single: $25Family: $50Visiting parents: FreeNon-members:Single Adult: $30Kids above 5 yrs: $20Family: $70Visiting parents: Freeif any non member family become a member by paying the membership fee of $50, they can avail member rates.

RSVP Now

Cincinnati Durga Pujo 2023
2023-10-20 10:00 - 2023-10-22 20:00
CCI has been busy. We have been busy planning the sixteenth annual Cincinnati Durga Utsav in Cincinnati, Ohio. Yes, this is going to be our 16th year of celebrating our very own parar pujo in Cincinnati !We have been thinking about what makes Cincinnati’s Durga Puja special for everyone. So, what makes our Durga Puja special?Is it the food? SURE! Well, we will have fabulous food from the best Indian restaurants in the city, together with special home made items from our own kitchens.Is it the cultural programs? SURE! There will be lots of music and dancing, theater and instrumental performances by children and grown ups. There will be special groups performing this year. Is it the “para’r pujo” we reminisce about? SURE! We are the best of all worlds. We are large enough to have dhunuchi naach and yet small enough where “everybody knows your name” in addition to the non-stop adda that goes on all three days. Venue:LAKOTA WEST FRESHMAN SCHOOLAddress: 5050 Tylersville Rd, West Chester Township, OH 45069Registration:Please click “Festival Rates” button abovePujo Dates:Day 1: Oct 20, 2023 – FridayDay 2: Oct 21, 2023 – SaturdayDay 3: Oct 22, 2023 – Sunday

Glimpse of your own “Parar Pujo”

Photo galleryছবিঘর

Picnic 2023
2023-07-30 10:00 - 17:00
Summer Picnic 2023

Hey Folks, Thanks for your overwhelming participation in the CCI Annual Picnic this year. It was a fun filled outdoor event with loads of games, food, (… food and food!!), sounds of laughter, sharing of joys, dancing to your favorite music, while meeting in persons. We did grill meats, veggies all through the time until we were all tired of eating :-), along with many other things with the likes of Jhalmuri, fruits, sodas, fuchkas … looking forward to our next gala event of 16th year celebration of Cincinnati Durga Utsav!

ঘুরে এলাম সিসিআই এর সামার পিকনিক থেকেআজ অনেকদিন বাদে, বোধহয় ২০২৩ সালের সরস্বতী পূজোর পরে, সিসি আই (CCI) এর একটা অনুষ্ঠানে দারুন আনন্দ করে এলাম৷ আজ ছিল সি সি আই এর বার্ষিক বনভোজন বা সামার পিকনিক৷ রবিবার সকালে তাড়াতাড়ি তৈরি হয়ে হাজির হলাম পিকনিকের জায়গায়৷ শুরুতেই অঘটন – আমরা উপস্থিত হয়েছিলাম অন্য একটা জায়গায়৷ সেখানে আমাদের ব্যবস্থা আর আয়োজন প্রায় যখন তৈরি – ঠিক তখনই সেই শেল্টারের আসল দাবীদার এসে পৌঁছলেন৷ আমাদের কোনো অনুরোধই তাঁকে টলাতে পারলো না৷ ফলে আবার তল্পিতল্পা গুটিয়ে আমাদের পাড়ি দিতে হল যথাস্থানে ডুলি পার্কে৷ এরজন্য আমাদের উৎসাহ বা উদ্দিপনায় কোনো ভাঁটাই পড়লো না৷ জোরকদমে সবাই মিলে কাজে লেগে পড়লো৷ প্রথমেই মুড়ি চানাচুর আর তার সাথে ফুচকা৷ আহা যেন অমৃত! – ফুচকা দিদিমণিরা সুন্দর ভাবে আমাদের ফুচকা পরিবেশন করতে লাগলেন – কে বলবে মাত্র মাসখানেকের একটু বেশী সময় আগে কলকাতায় গিয়ে হাত দিয়ে মাখা ফুচকা খেয়েছি৷ (এখানে অবশ্য গ্লাভস পরেই মাখা হয়েছিল)৷ আশাকরি কেউ ফুচকা খাওয়ার ব্যাপারটা ভিডিও করেন নি৷ ইতিমধ্যে একদল লেগে পড়লো চিকেন, পনির এবং ভেজিটেবল গুলো গ্রিল করতে৷ আর বেগুনি দিদিমণিরা ব্যস্ত হয়ে উঠলো বেগুনি ভাজায়৷ আর তার সাথে সুস্বাদু তরমুজ৷ পিকনিক পুরো জমে উঠলো গল্প, আড্ডায় আর খাওয়া দাওয়াতে৷ ছোটো বাচ্চাদের জন্য ছিল নানারকম খেলা এবং প্রতিযোগিতা৷ সিসি আই এর অনুষ্ঠানে খাবারের কখনই অভাব হয় না, এবারেও তার ব্যতিক্রম ছিল না৷ সবাই মন ভরে নানারকম খাবার খেয়ে হৈচৈ করে কখন যে বাড়ি ফেরার সময় হয়ে গেছে বুঝতে পারলাম না৷ এরমধ্যে আমি অবশ্যই বাচ্চাদের জন্য আনা আইসক্রীমেও ভাগ বসিয়ে দিয়েছিলাম৷ আজ আমাদের সিসি আই পরিবারে অনেক নতুন সদস্যদের দেখলাম, আলাপ হল৷ অনেক মাসীমা আর মেশোমশাই দেরও৷ সবাই কে জানাই সুস্বাগতম৷ আগামী দুর্গাপূজোয় আবার সবার সাথে দেখার অপেক্ষায় রইলাম৷ আমি ধন্যবাদ জানাই আমাদের লিডারশীপ টিম, (বোর্ড অব ট্রাস্টি) কে যারা অক্লান্ত পরিশ্রম করে এই সুন্দর অনুষ্ঠান টা আয়োজন করে আমাদের উপহার দিয়েছে৷ আর বিশেষ ধন্যবাদ জানাবো সেই সমস্ত সদস্যদের যারা এই অনুষ্ঠানে দায়িত্ব নিয়ে প্রতিটি কাজ সুষ্ঠু ভাবে পালন করেছে৷ ভীষণ ভালো লাগছে দেখে সিসি আই এগিয়ে চলছে গত ১৬ বছর ধরে এবং আশা রাখি আগামীদিনে আমাদের পরিবারের সকলের উপস্থিতি আগামী অনুষ্ঠান গুলো কে একটা নতুন মাত্রায় নিয়ে যাবে৷ বাড়ি আসার সময় মধুরেণ সমাপয়েত হল শ্রীপর্ণার তৈরি গুড়ের মিষ্টি দিয়ে৷ সকলে ভালো থাকবেন এই কামনা করি৷ 👌– সুগত চক্রবর্তি

Photo galleryছবিঘর

Annual Picnic 2023
2023-07-30 10:00 - 17:00
Hey Folks, July 30th will be CCI Annual Picnic day this year. It is going to be a fun filled outdoor event with loads of games, food, (… food and food!!), sounds of laughter, sharing of joys, dancing to your favorite music, Antakshari, while meeting in persons. We’ll be grilling meats, veggies all through the time until we are all tired of eating :-), along with many other things with the likes of Jhalmuri, fruits, sodas … Other ideas and initiatives are most welcome and we will be thrilled to work together in execution. So, please volunteer with your leadership attitude and inclusivity to step forward in making the event happen with utmost fun!

Few important details – Venue – Dulle Park Shelter (10105 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, OH 45242)Date / hours – July 30, 2023 (Sunday) : 10am to 5pm EST (Parks shall remain open to the public from sunrise until 10pm)Members :Individual @ $15; entire family @$25Non Members : Individual @$25; entire family @$40; however a non member family can choose to become 1st time CCI member by paying $50 membership and enjoying this picnic free of cost.For students – individual @$15Please zelle your payment to hellocci2014@gmail.com

Photo galleryছবিঘর

Cincinnati Durga Pujo 2022
2022-10-07 10:00 - 2022-10-09 20:00
CCI has been busy. We have been busy planning the sixteenth annual Cincinnati Durga Utsav in Cincinnati, Ohio. Yes, this is going to be our 16th year of celebrating our very own parar pujo in Cincinnati !We have been thinking about what makes Cincinnati’s Durga Puja special for everyone. So, what makes our Durga Puja special?Is it the food? SURE! Well, we will have fabulous food from the best Indian restaurants in the city, together with special home made items from our own kitchens.Is it the cultural programs? SURE! There will be lots of music and dancing, theater and instrumental performances by children and grown ups. There will be special groups performing this year. Is it the “para’r pujo” we reminisce about? SURE! We are the best of all worlds. We are large enough to have dhunuchi naach and yet small enough where “everybody knows your name” in addition to the non-stop adda that goes on all three days. Register early and even if you are a non-member, you may be invited to participate in cultural programs. It is strictly on a first come first served basis, so please register early.But most of all, what makes CCI’s Cincinnati Durga Utsav special? It is YOU! Please visit our website: www.cciorg.com. REGISTER NOW and take advantage of our fantastic low rates. Call our Board of Trustee members, call our Registration team and mark October 7 – 9, 2022 on your calendar.We look forward to seeing you there!

Friday evening (Oct 7th) performance by Somlata

Barsho Boron & Beyond 2022
2022-05-14 10:00 - 20:00
Every year we usher in the Bengali New Year by remembering two great poets of Bengal – Robi Thakur and Kazi Nazrul through Barsho Boron – an event that engages all bengalis – Purbo O Paschim – residing in the greater Cincinnati area.This year too we are planning to have a wonderful line up of cultural programs; if you or your kids are interested in participating please reach out to – Anasua and/or Bibek.

It will be a “Ghoroa” event (ঘরোয়া আড্ডা) and will love you to pitch in with whatever you love to do out there .. let’s have some fun, gaan, naach, standing comedy, Kobita, shruti natok .. whatsoever it could be to create a great memory … and with the accompanying “khaoa-daoa” (খাওয়া-দাওয়া). Date : Saturday, May 14 2022Members : Rates coming soonNon Members : Rates coming soon

Cincinnati Durga Pujo 2021
2021-10-16 10:00 - 2021-10-17 20:00
All registration for CDU 2021 are CLOSED now and there WONT be any gate registration this year due to COVID related safety measure.Mask PolicyWearing mask is mandatory inside the school premises, except for the time of having food. This is to keep us and our kids safe during the festival, while still enjoying it to the fullest extent possible.

Our 13th Annual CCI Durga Pujo was shelved due to the pandemic, but we are back with a boom. Despite the ongoing adversities, indomitable spirit of the CCI families cannot subside for another year and together as a community we will be celebrating our traditions, our 14th Cincinnati Durga Utsav (CDU) – our biggest annual celebration for 2021 in the same energetic and innovative way. Like every year, this year will not be an exception, on Saturday and Sunday, – Oct 16th and 17th, we will be enthralling the community with our customary rituals, pujo, pushpanjali, followed by mouth watering dishes, a remarkable cultural evening and finally, the sindoor khela on Sunday. Nevertheless, in between these frisks and frolics, there will be dhunuchi nach on both the days. Please register and join in to be an intrinsic part of our CCI family and celebrate CDU 2021 together.

Due to the ongoing pandemic saga, we have decided to limit the non member registration in CDU 2021, to provide a safe and less crowded environment. Hence the registration would be accepted on first come first server basis. Also there wont be any gate registration this year. So hurry up to reserve your spot to become the integral part of our biggest festival of the year.

Venue for CDU 2021:Lakota West Freshman School5050 Tylersville Rd, West Chester Township, OH 45069

*Disclaimer – Cincinnati Cultural Initiative, as an organization, will not be liable for transmission of any kind of COVID-19 variants during any kind of in person activities for and during the Durga Puja celebration. But, as members, we will do our best to take every possible safety measures and precautions to protect each of us collectively against this virus infection. By registering in this event, you assume and accept all COVID-19 related risks for you and your family members.

Saraswati Puja 2020
2020-02-01 09:00 - 13:00
Dear Friends and Families ,We are glad to invite you to our Saraswati Pujo 2020, to be held on February 1st, Saturday, at the Blue Ash Recreation Center.Please let us know, if you are planning for “Hathe-Khori” for your kid.Pujo Schedule:9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Preparation time.10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Pujo Ceremony11:30 AM – 12:00 PM : Pushpanjali.12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Prasad Distribution & LunchThe event fee is as follows:Member: Adult $10 Child $5 ($25 max for the family). Food is included in the event fee.Non Member: Adult $15 Child $10 ($40 max for the family of 2 adult and 2 kids). Food is included in the event fee.We’ll collect the annual membership fee for the members on that day. Please bring in your check/cash accordingly.Thanks.CCI Saraswati Pujo Organizing Team 2020

Lakshmi Puja & Bijoya 2019
2019-10-12 10:00 - 20:00
Dear Friends and Families ,We are excited to invite you to our Kojagori Lakshmi Pujo 2019 and celebrate Bijay Sammilani . The event will be held on Oct 12th, Saturday, at the Twin Fountains Community Center ( 7402 Twin Fountains Dr , Mason OH 45040.Please send your RSVP response to hellocci2014@gmail.com by no later than September 22 ,2019.The event fee is as follows:For Members:Individual Adult $10 ,Individual Child $5 , Family(2 Adults + 2 Child) – $25 . Food (Dinner) is included in the event fee.For Non Members:Individual Adult $15 ,Individual Child $5 , Family(2 Adults + 2 Child) – $35 . Food (Dinner) is included in the event fee.Thanks.CCI BOT

Cincinnati Durga Pujo 2019
2019-10-04 10:00 - 2019-10-06 20:00
CCI has been busy. We have been busy planning the twelfth annual Cincinnati Durga Utsav in Cincinnati, Ohio. Yes, this is going to be our 12th year of celebrating our very own parar pujo in Cincinnati !We have been thinking about what makes Cincinnati’s Durga Puja special for everyone. So, what makes our Durga Puja special?Is it the food? SURE! Well, we will have fabulous food from the best Indian restaurants in the city, together with special home made items from our own kitchens.Is it the cultural programs? SURE! There will be lots of music and dancing, theater and instrumental performances by children and grown ups. There will be special groups performing this year. Is it the “bonedi pujo” we reminisce about? SURE! We are the best of all worlds. We are large enough to have dhunuchi naach and yet small enough where “everybody knows your name” in addition to the non-stop adda that goes on all three days. Register early and even if you are a non-member, you may be invited to participate in cultural programs. It is strictly on a first come first served basis, so please register early.But most of all, what makes CCI’s Cincinnati Durga Utsav special? It is YOU! Please visit our website: www.cciorg.com. REGISTER NOW and take advantage of our fantastic low rates. Call our Board of Trustee members, call our Registration team and mark October 4 – 6, 2019 on your calendar.We look forward to seeing you there!

“East meets West” by renowned band Mohenjo Daro
