Following my own ritual as I do every year, this year also I am writing a post on the occasion of Mahalaya.
As always, the morning started with 'Mahisaashura Mardini' on All India Radio. Later, we watched the story of Ma Durga through various representations in Drama or Dance aired in all the Bengali tv channels.
Now names of the programmes which were aired today on television-
Aakash Aath- Raat Pohle Shaarad Praate- a whole night long musicsl programme.
Colours Bangla- Jayang Dehi: Namastesyai Namah Namaha
- Genu Dada'r Durga Puja
- Ashur Doloni Durga (I particularly loved this one. It had the theme of aged parents having Durga puja tradition at home, but the children who live in other cities are not able to come on the occasion of Durga Puja, so the parents become sad and decide to end the tradition of puja. A Saadhika comes to their house and gives them assurance that their children will definitely visit them. Later the Saadhika starts narrating the story of Ma Durga, the villagers/ neighbours and the parents listen to it. To their surprise, the three sons of the old parents, come to the house to celebrate Durga Puja and narrate how their circumstances hinted them to visit their ancestral house and not to travel abroad during this time. They all get mesmerized by the inner power of the Saadhika, who tells her name as Jaya. At the end, they all realise that it was Maa Durga herself as they see the steps of Jaya enter the Durga idol. Very nice story and execution. Rimjhim Mitra enacted the role of Jaya.)
Zee Bangla- Mahalaya 2018
- DuggaMaayer Jaadu Laddu
- Debi Durga'r Oshur Bodh
Star Jalsha- Durgotinaashini Durga
I keep on surfing all the channels and enjoy all the different representations on-screen on the day of Mahalaya each year :).
Now moving on to the second topic which I want to cover today. That is, the recurrent theme associated with Durga Puja and also with Autumn Season in general. I am trying to note them down one by one-
Shiuli Phool- almost vanished these days, faint memory of childhood.
Aagomoni Gaan- - mainly around Mahalaya and also during Durga Puja.
Kaash phool- this one exclusively belongs to small towns and villages. We have mostly seen it on television and on print media. I do not remember that I have seen it live ever. Most memorable scene any Bengali remembers regarding it is from the famous film Pother Paanchali by Satyajit Roy.
Small and light white clouds- this is the specialty of early Autumn. To many of us this is actually the harbinger of the great festival :)
Sound of the Dhak- nothing more to add. Waking up in the morning with the sound of Dhak brings the joy of the Puja.
Pujor Gaan- Song specially released on the occasion of Durga Puja- again a tradition of the golden era (the 60s and 70s). Now almost obsolete tradition. Still we enjoy listening to various Bengali songs played in the puja pandals.
Adda, Pandal hopping, new dress- best fashion, eaing out, meeting friends and relatives- for Bengalees, all these make Durga Puja the BEST of all the festivals. And for children, it is all FUN, no scolding from parents, no study :D
Watching puja pandals on television- my most favourite pastime during Durga Puja :)
Bhashaan- Live telecast of immersion of Durga idol from various ghaats of Ganga, with commentary and interviews.
Immersion of Devi Durga idols from East Bengal (Bangladesh) and West Bengal on the river Ichhamati- I really love this tradition and watch it LIVE each year on television. A true amalgamation of cultures which have the same tune/ essence.
I also love to listen to different discussions regarding Durga Puja, spirituality, our epics on various tv channels during these days.
Another theme which is related to Durga Puja is the victory of women power. Here we do not try to empower women (like our society does, these days) but we recognize the Great Power (Potential) present in the female form from the very beginning.
Visiting houses of the neighbourhood/ relatives after Vijaya Dashami- another old tradition, almost vanished from today's world. We used to call it- 'Bijoya korte jaaowa', i e- going to do Vijaya :D. Where we would touch the feet of the elders of the house and they would bless us. Along with it a plate of sweets and snacks were offered. Those days were very different truly... And also in tuition classes there was a practice of offering sweets and snacks to students by the teacher, when they attended the classes after Vijaya Dashami. Fond memories of childhood... Now mostly people do not have time to visit elders (neighbours or relatives). Now the Vijaya Dashami pranaam or paying respect is done by phone call or message or WhatsApp.
Lakshmi Puja- it comes a few days after Vijaya Dashami. Almost all the houses in Bengal perform the puja of Mother Lakshmi for prosperity.
Navraatri- If we move beyond Bengalee culture we can find the concept of Navraatri throughout North and West India. The nine forms of the Mother is worshipped through many rituals and austerities.
Karva Chauth- a ritual which comes after Navraatri and is celebrated in many places of India. in this ceremony, the wife keeps a fast throughout the whole day for the welfare of the husband.
Here I come to the end of a quite lengthy post of mine :). Hope you all remember all these associations and cherish all the moments. Have a great time ahead!
Lots of love,
Joy Ma Durga.
As always, the morning started with 'Mahisaashura Mardini' on All India Radio. Later, we watched the story of Ma Durga through various representations in Drama or Dance aired in all the Bengali tv channels.
Now names of the programmes which were aired today on television-
Aakash Aath- Raat Pohle Shaarad Praate- a whole night long musicsl programme.
Colours Bangla- Jayang Dehi: Namastesyai Namah Namaha
- Genu Dada'r Durga Puja
- Ashur Doloni Durga (I particularly loved this one. It had the theme of aged parents having Durga puja tradition at home, but the children who live in other cities are not able to come on the occasion of Durga Puja, so the parents become sad and decide to end the tradition of puja. A Saadhika comes to their house and gives them assurance that their children will definitely visit them. Later the Saadhika starts narrating the story of Ma Durga, the villagers/ neighbours and the parents listen to it. To their surprise, the three sons of the old parents, come to the house to celebrate Durga Puja and narrate how their circumstances hinted them to visit their ancestral house and not to travel abroad during this time. They all get mesmerized by the inner power of the Saadhika, who tells her name as Jaya. At the end, they all realise that it was Maa Durga herself as they see the steps of Jaya enter the Durga idol. Very nice story and execution. Rimjhim Mitra enacted the role of Jaya.)
Zee Bangla- Mahalaya 2018
- DuggaMaayer Jaadu Laddu
- Debi Durga'r Oshur Bodh
Star Jalsha- Durgotinaashini Durga
I keep on surfing all the channels and enjoy all the different representations on-screen on the day of Mahalaya each year :).
Durga puja is the main theme in all news channels these days. They are showing us various themes of the Durga Puja Pandals of 2018. I enjoy watching all those, as living far of Bengal we do not get enough holidays during the puja days and mostly stay indoors.
Now moving on to the second topic which I want to cover today. That is, the recurrent theme associated with Durga Puja and also with Autumn Season in general. I am trying to note them down one by one-
Shiuli Phool- almost vanished these days, faint memory of childhood.
Aagomoni Gaan- - mainly around Mahalaya and also during Durga Puja.
Kaash phool- this one exclusively belongs to small towns and villages. We have mostly seen it on television and on print media. I do not remember that I have seen it live ever. Most memorable scene any Bengali remembers regarding it is from the famous film Pother Paanchali by Satyajit Roy.
Small and light white clouds- this is the specialty of early Autumn. To many of us this is actually the harbinger of the great festival :)
Sound of the Dhak- nothing more to add. Waking up in the morning with the sound of Dhak brings the joy of the Puja.
Pujor Gaan- Song specially released on the occasion of Durga Puja- again a tradition of the golden era (the 60s and 70s). Now almost obsolete tradition. Still we enjoy listening to various Bengali songs played in the puja pandals.
Adda, Pandal hopping, new dress- best fashion, eaing out, meeting friends and relatives- for Bengalees, all these make Durga Puja the BEST of all the festivals. And for children, it is all FUN, no scolding from parents, no study :D
Watching puja pandals on television- my most favourite pastime during Durga Puja :)
Bhashaan- Live telecast of immersion of Durga idol from various ghaats of Ganga, with commentary and interviews.
Immersion of Devi Durga idols from East Bengal (Bangladesh) and West Bengal on the river Ichhamati- I really love this tradition and watch it LIVE each year on television. A true amalgamation of cultures which have the same tune/ essence.
I also love to listen to different discussions regarding Durga Puja, spirituality, our epics on various tv channels during these days.
Another theme which is related to Durga Puja is the victory of women power. Here we do not try to empower women (like our society does, these days) but we recognize the Great Power (Potential) present in the female form from the very beginning.
Visiting houses of the neighbourhood/ relatives after Vijaya Dashami- another old tradition, almost vanished from today's world. We used to call it- 'Bijoya korte jaaowa', i e- going to do Vijaya :D. Where we would touch the feet of the elders of the house and they would bless us. Along with it a plate of sweets and snacks were offered. Those days were very different truly... And also in tuition classes there was a practice of offering sweets and snacks to students by the teacher, when they attended the classes after Vijaya Dashami. Fond memories of childhood... Now mostly people do not have time to visit elders (neighbours or relatives). Now the Vijaya Dashami pranaam or paying respect is done by phone call or message or WhatsApp.
Lakshmi Puja- it comes a few days after Vijaya Dashami. Almost all the houses in Bengal perform the puja of Mother Lakshmi for prosperity.
Navraatri- If we move beyond Bengalee culture we can find the concept of Navraatri throughout North and West India. The nine forms of the Mother is worshipped through many rituals and austerities.
Karva Chauth- a ritual which comes after Navraatri and is celebrated in many places of India. in this ceremony, the wife keeps a fast throughout the whole day for the welfare of the husband.
Here I come to the end of a quite lengthy post of mine :). Hope you all remember all these associations and cherish all the moments. Have a great time ahead!
Lots of love,
Joy Ma Durga.
