The day of Mahalaya, according to the Hindu mythology, marks the culmination of the Pitru Paksha period and the beginning of the Devi Paksha. It is believed to be the day when Goddess Durga begins her journey from the Kailash Parvat to the earth. On this auspicious day, hymns are chanted and pooja is done. The hymns are basically called the ‘Chandi paath’ and are recited in Sanskrit. In the year 1931 All India Radio decided to broadcast the chanting of ‘Chandi paath’ as a part of their programme ‘Mahisasura Mardini’. The voice of contemporary playwright and broadcaster Birendra Krishna Bhadra was chosen for the recitation of the ‘Chandi paath’ alongwith the live music arranged by veteran musicians, singers, and songwriters Pankaj Mallick and Kazi Nazrul Islam. And henceforth, the favourite programme of all Bengalis across the globe ‘Mahisasura Mardini’ began its journey and made its very special place in every Bengali’s hearts.
Right from transistor to radio to Doordarshan to cassettes/CDs and now to YouTube, Mahisasura ‘Mahisasura Mardini’ in the voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra is alive for us as a moment of happiness and nostalgia. It still gives goose bumps and a lump in our throats. Whether you are a non-believer or a stringent orthodox worshipper, or an agnostic; how does it matter, Mahalaya binds us all together.
I remember as a kid, on other days it seemed too difficult for me to leave the bed and go to school, but on the day of Mahalaya, my eyes would pop open even before the 4 am alarm. We would all sit together surrounding the radio and listen to Mahalaya on All India Radio. The volumes were always kept at the maximum so that everyone could listen to it and feel the essence, even if they did not own a radio. Neighbours and relatives wished each other and would be excited as Durga Puja was just a week away. The feeling was almost equivalent to when we came to know about a favourite aunt or uncle coming home for a vacation. Maa Durga is treated like a family member by Bengalis; a daughter who is coming to her father’s house after a year.
Now we could be in different parts of the world but yet, the ritual goes on. Parents might be away from us but they never forget to remind us about Mahalaya. All India Radio might be replaced by YouTube or some other music app, but Mahalaya still brings smiles to our faces and moistens the corner of our eyes. The childhood days come floating in front of our eyes and for some moments all worries just vanish in the thin air. And hence, Mahalaya is more than just a religious occasion. It is a piece of our childhoods, a piece of memories with dadu, thamma, dida (grandparents), ma-baba (parents) siblings and cousins, that we all relive, even if it just means for an hour or so, it feels special.
2020 has taught us to relive small moments and value the love and happiness that surround us. Come, let us all sit together once again and listen to Mahalaya this year. Even if not at 4 am in the morning, but let’s fix a time and connect through video call and listen to Mahalaya together. Like everything else, this year Durga Maa will also keep us waiting a bit more than usual as Durga Pooja this year is not a week but a month apart from ‘Mahalay’. But as they say “Sabra ka phal meetha hota hai” (Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet).
Best wishes!!!
#MaaAshchen
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