The Bengali name on the shop sign reveals that a small piece of Bangladesh exists here.
Los Angeles, a scenic city in the United States. Walking along 3rd Street from New Hampshire to Alexandria Avenue, it feels as if you are not in Los Angeles, but on a busy street in Dhaka.city. At the corner of the street, a blue sign reads ‘Little Bangladesh’. So, even from abroad, to feel a touch of their homeland, some Bangladeshis choose this area to live in.
Located just three miles from the glittering streets of Hollywood, this small Bangladesh seems like a piece of a dream, where expatriate Bangladeshis get a taste of the joy, soil fragrance, and culture of their country.
At first glance, the large presence of Bangladeshis and local culture is surprising, but indeed, this ‘Little Bangladesh’ has been established in the heart of Los Angeles, California, in the United States.
The name was officially given. The shade-giving trees, distant car horns, and urban hustle remind you that the soil here is in the United States. But the scent of the air, the Bengali names on the shop signs, food, traditional attire, people’s gatherings, and the crowd at shops tell you that a small piece of Bangladesh exists here.
Walking along 3rd Street, you notice many Bangladeshi shops. On both sides of the street are narrow sidewalks, alongside which are arranged grocery stores, beauty salons, restaurants, mobile showrooms, or money order shops. As you walk, the aroma of fried samosas, puris, onion fritters, or kebabs suddenly drifts through the air. Instantly, it feels as if you are not in Los Angeles but standing in a lane in old Dhaka or Mirpur.
While walking along the street, voices of Bangladeshis drift from the shops in Little Bangladesh. Somewhere Rabindra Sangeet plays, somewhere modern Bengali songs. The pull of Bengali can be heard on pedestrians’ lips. Young people chatting in groups in front of shops, holding puffed rice snacks or tea. Small television screens in the shops broadcast news from Bangladeshi channels. Some watch Bangladeshi dramas on their phones, some discuss Bangladeshi politics. Altogether, it is a city within a city.
Anjuman Ara Sheuly is the General Secretary of the expatriate Bangladeshi organization ‘Bangladesh Unity Federation of Los Angeles,’ which conducts social, cultural, and community-based activities for Bangladeshis. She told the media , “Little Bangladesh is the heart of our community.
Expatriate Bangladeshis do not just live here, they preserve their culture, heritage, and social bonds.” She added, “We want all generations, old and new, to participate together in this community. Through social and cultural activities, everyone stays connected with the homeland.”
Bangladeshi Sharif Hasan has been. living in Little Bangladesh for 15 years. He said, “I used to live near the airport. After coming from Bangladesh, I felt very sad. I could not find Bengali food or people who spoke Bengali. Later, I moved to Little Bangladesh. Now I don’t feel bad anymore. On holidays, I eat and socialize in these Bengali shops.”
Another expatriate, Rumon Mia, said, “Although I live in North Hollywood, I come to Little Bangladesh for shopping. Sitting at ‘Kasturi’ or ‘Deshi’ drinking tea, it feels like I am having tea at a hotel in some area of Bangladesh. Everyone meets here.”
Tarek Hasib, working at a shop in the area, told this correspondent , “I have been working at this shop for about a year. Here come students, businesspeople, and all expatriates. In small gatherings, everyone talks about their homeland and discusses politics.”
The names of Little Bangladesh and the surrounding Bangladeshi shops reflect a touch of the homeland — Kasturi, Deshi, Sonar Bangla, Swadesh, Amar Bangla, Banglabazar, Naya Kitchen, Asian Mart. Seeing these names, it feels as if Bangladesh has been arranged piece by piece. The organized shelves, colorful banners, and logos inside the shops together resemble Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar or New Market.
In the restaurants of Little Bangladesh, not only Bangladeshis, but Pakistani, Indian, and Nepali immigrants also come in search of traditional food. Mexicans crowd in for milk-tea as well. On weekends, the crowd increases several times. Some come for lunch or dinner, some for hot tea or spicy biryani, some just to socialize.
A little farther on Vermont Avenue, there is a sweet shop called ‘Alaudin Sweets’. Everything is available there. Rows of rasgullas, sandesh, and lal mohans are displayed in glass cases. These traditional food shops are visited by students, businesspeople—everyone.
History of Little Bangladesh :
The story of Little Bangladesh began in the 1960s. Some Bangladeshi students came to Los Angeles for studies. Gradually, some took jobs, others started businesses. Due to nearby colleges, universities, and Islamic centers, new immigrants began settling one after another.
Initially, there were only a few shops. Over time, grocery stores, restaurants, salons, and various shops started to develop.
In 2010, the Los Angeles City Council officially declared the area ‘Little Bangladesh’. Then-mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said, “This is not just a name; it is a recognition of the contribution of the Bangladeshi community.”
Kazi Mashurul Huda, who wrote a book on the history of Little Bangladesh, was the co-ordinator of the ‘Little Bangladesh Formation’ and the convenor of the Little Bangladesh Beautification Project. He told this correspondent that more than 10,000 Bangladeshis live in Little Bangladesh. They have not only preserved themselves but also enriched the city’s economy and culture.
Various organizations in Little Bangladesh organize Bangladeshi national, religious, and cultural events.
Little Bangladesh, beloved by students:
Around two thousand Bangladeshi students are studying in California. Among them, about one thousand are in Los Angeles. A large portion of students coming from Bangladesh live in Little Bangladesh. They all work here to cover their education expenses. Amid work and study pressure, they come to the Bengali shops at night to have a cup of tea or hot rice and socialize.
Bachit Chowdhury, a student, said, “When I come here, it feels like walking in a market or area of Dhaka. Even from abroad, the memories of our country come alive here.”
Another student, Farzana Rahman, said, “For us, Little Bangladesh means a place where family, friends, and cultural identity meet.”
Russel Mahmud, President of the Bangladesh Students Association of California, said, “Our goal is not just to provide study or living facilities for students. We want Bangladeshi students coming to Los Angeles to participate in the Little Bangladesh community, preserve their culture, and highlight Bangladesh on the world map.”
Mosques and Islamic centers :
Another vital aspect of Little Bangladesh is its religious institutions. Several mosques are located in and around the area. Since the 1960s, Bangladeshi Muslim immigrants have begun settling around these mosques. Here, congregations are full not only for the five daily prayers but also for Eid prayers, Islamic lectures, and Milad-Mahfil events.
During any Muslim festival, the whole area lights up with colorful lights, reminiscent of Bangladesh’s Eidgah. The local mosque committee assists Bangladeshis in various ways.
Abdul Mannan, president of a local mosque, told this correspondent , “In Little Bangladesh, we help with housing, jobs, and especially burial and funeral services for helpless Bangladeshis. Social service work is our priority.”
Cultural events and festivals :
Various organizations in Little Bangladesh organize Bangladeshi national, religious, and cultural events. Ahead of Eid, there are fairs at Chandrat night, Bangladesh Day parades, Bangladesh fairs, Ananda Mela, folk music festivals, Nazrul festivals, Lalon fairs, Pohela Boishakh fairs, as well as celebrations for International Mother Language Day, Independence Day, and Victory Day. Picnics, kite festivals, and other events are also organized.
Expatriate Bangladeshi organizations such as Bangladesh Unity Federation of Los Angeles, Uttaran Cultural Group, Tarang of California, Muslim Ummah on North America, and others organize social, cultural, and religious activities.
Cultural personality Shipar Chowdhury said they are working to spread literature and songs (traditional) among expatriate Bangladeshis and other language communities. With the support of Bangladeshis in Los Angeles and the efforts of California State Northridge, the works of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam in literature and music are being promoted globally. He said this is a rare example, which has been appreciated by the Government of Bangladesh, Bangla Academy, and Nazrul Institutes.
Five types of expatriates live in Little Bangladesh. These include long-term immigrant families, new immigrants who have started jobs or small businesses, college and university students, small business families, and people actively participating in cultural and community activities.
Morshedul Islam, head of Uttaran Cultural Group, said, “Little Bangladesh is not just a settlement for expatriate Bangladeshis; it is a direct representation of Bangladesh’s culture, history, and heritage. Here, traditional food, clothing, music, literature, and events are like a miniature version of Bangladesh. Our organization encourages Bangladeshi children living here to participate in cultural activities.”
