Nearly 20% of India’s Bengali-speaking population lives outside West Bengal. Chennai, a rapidly evolving city, has become a key hub for this diaspora. The OMR Bengali Milon Songho (OBMS), formed in 2024, is a recent example of Bengali culture flourishing in the South.

While Bengalis in Chennai haven’t traditionally formed distinct neighborhoods, many are now settling in areas like OMR and East Coast Road, drawn by job opportunities. Longing for their cultural roots, especially during Durga Puja, led to the creation of OBMS, which now has about 100 registered families.

OBMS recreates the spirit of Bengal through festivals and also engages in social causes like blood donation and disaster relief, encouraging cultural exchange with Tamil Nadu. It shows how Bengalis maintain their heritage while contributing to a more diverse and inclusive Chennai