Kashphool Kotha

Dear Readers,

Welcome to the 2nd edition of Kashphool Koth (কাশফুল কথা), or Tales of the Autumn Flower, the vibrant Bengali magazine that continues to celebrate the spirit of Durga Puja in Rhode Island (শারদীয় দুর্গাৎসব-১৪৩২), proudly brought to you by BARI. This year, as we mark another milestone with the second edition, we are thrilled to deepen our connection with you, our cherished community. Building on the resounding success of our inaugural edition, which captured hearts and inspired an overwhelming response, we are now delighted to bring Kashphool Kotha to you in print, digital, and Kindle formats—mirroring the cherished tradition of Bengali Durga Puja magazines that readers eagerly awaited each year.

Here in Rhode Island, we strive to weave the magic of this occasion into our lives, preserving the traditions that define our Bengali heritage while embracing the diversity of our global community. Kashphool Kotha is our labor of love, a creative tapestry woven with contributions from writers, poets, artists, and thinkers from around the world. This edition offers a rich blend of poems, stories, novels, drawings, science fiction, all reflecting the dynamic spirit of our people. Our Trilingual approach, featuring content in Bengali, Hindi and English, ensures that every reader—whether rooted in tradition or exploring it anew—feels included.

Inspired by the legacy of iconic Bengali magazines like Desh, Anondomela, Nobokollol, and Shuktara, which have shaped generations with their literary and artistic brilliance, Kashphool Kotha carries forward this tradition. It evokes the nostalgia of childhood days, when the arrival of Puja editions filled us with anticipation for new stories and adventures. Though miles away from Bengal, our hearts remain tied to our roots, and this magazine celebrates that dual identity—honoring our heritage while navigating the globalized world we live in.

The success of our first edition has encouraged us to broaden our horizons, and we are grateful for your support. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to our generous sponsors—Savers Financial Solutions, Patel Brothers, Russian School of Mathematics (RSM), Mohika's, EZ Tax Works LLC, Indian restaurants across Rhode Island, Gini Emporium, and Dulal Chandra Bhorer Talmichri—whose contributions have made this expansion possible.

I owe a deep debt of gratitude to the writers, artists, and contributors whose passion and creativity breathe life into Kashphool Kotha. Your talents are the heartbeat of this magazine. To our readers, your love for literature and art drives us forward, and we invite you to join this journey, explore the stories within, and become part of our growing community.

May Kashphool Kotha continue to be a bridge to the spirit of Durga Puja. Wishing you a joyous festival season!

With warm regards and best wishes,

Sukanta Jash

Editor, Kashphool Kotha (কাশফুল কথা)

If you have any comments and concerns, please email to us @ sukantajash.iicb@gmail.com