Shubho Mahalaya From Habitat Times

Rupang Dehi, Jayang Dehi, Yasho Dehi, Dvisho Jahi!!

The countdown is drawing to a close! “Pitri Paksha” or “Shradh” the time of mourning for the forefathers or the previous 14 generations, comes to a close and “Devi Paksha” or the auspicious time of Maa Durga commences. “Maha alaya” or the “Great Homecoming”. On this day, as the legend goes, Maa Durga commences her journey from Mount Kailash, the abode of her husband, Lord Shiva to Mother Earth, her parental abode where she will reside for 4 days from Maha Sasthi to Maha Navami. This day, people also remember their forefathers from previous 14 generations and offer them “tarpan” or offerings to appease them and prepare the earth to welcome Maa Durga.

On this day, the ceremony of “Chakshudaan” is followed wherein , the idols of Maa Durga are bestowed with the all important and life giving “eyes”. Following which, most of the big daddies of the celebrations, carry their respective idols to their Puja Pandals for the final touches before the grand inauguration on Maha Sasthi!

Mahalaya, the collective musical hymns praising the beauty, power and aura of the supreme Spriitual energy that symobilises the eternal endless, formless and seamless of the universe,  that is encompassed in Durga and Argala Strotras, was broadcasted over the radio in 1930s. Later on, the hymns and songs were recorded and played on the day of Mahalaya. Legendary narrator, Birendra Krishna Bhadra's voice was used to narrate hymns and legends around Goddess Durga's descend to earth. The whole composition was set to tune by legendary composer Pankaj Mullick and presented by 30 most popular radio artists of that time.

This composition is surpassed years and generations and is still most enthusiastically and symbolically listened to, by Bengalis across the world in the wee hours of Mahalaya every year without exception. Initially, broadcasted by All India Radio till the last 10 odd years, and most proudly tuned in by every Bengali, the composition is now widely and easily available on the internet in all its authenticity and better engineered sound to align the GenX and millennials listening abilities!! However, it remains to be seen whether it can still be heard on the almost extinct radio!

The vibrant sarees and crisp dhotis are patiently waiting in the closets of the impatient Bengali, to be flaunted from Maha Sasthi till the melancholic Maha Navami! The daily prasad and bhog will vie to tantalise the taste buds of the foodie Bengali for the eventful 4 days which will see the kitchens rendered defunct and the discerning Bengali ear will listen to a plethora of musical programs and give its expert opinion on each performance!

Here’s looking forward to a happening Durga Puja 2017!

Habitat Times wishes all readers a very Happy, peaceful and enjoyable Durga Puja!

Do visit Chittaranjan Park for an exhilarating Puja experience...

By Jaya Ray ( Habitat.Times@gmail.com)