Mahalaya 2023

Every year Mahalaya symbolises the end of Pitri Paksha and the begining of Devi Paksha. We perform the ritual of Tarpan for our forefathers on this day. With Mahalaya, we start the final preparation for Durga Puja which starts on the day of Shashti. In the morning of Mahalaya we listen to the special radio programme Mahishasura Mardini which is aired from All India Radio. Many television channels also produce dance drama or short plays based on many aspects of Durga Puja or Navratri. These are the names of the programme which were aired on different channels of Television on the occasion of Mahalaya day in 2023.

*Zee Bangla - Mahapujo: Nabapatrikae Debi Boron

*Sony Aath- Debi'r Doshroop

*Star Jalsha- Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu

*Colours Bangla- Nabarupe MahaDurga

- Debi Dashamahavidya 

*Aakash Aath- Raat Pohale Sharod Praate+ Good Morning Aakash

*Rupashi Bangla -Brahmastra Swarupini-5am

Durgatinashini Durga- 6 am

Uma Elo Ghore- 7 am

Singhabahini- 8am

*DD Bangla - Katyayani Devi Durga (This was also aired on DD National channel with English Subtitles) 

- Mahalaya live singing for one hour- in the slot of daily morning programme 'Shokal Shokal'

Here I am also mentioning the names of the programmes aired on Mahalaya Day of 2022 on various channels of Television:-

*Star Jalsha- Ya Chandi

*Sony Aath- Asurnaashini Ma

- Aatha Sati Parvati Katha

*Zee Bangla - Singabahini Trinayani

*Colours Bangla - Devi Dashamahavidya

- Durga Mayer Golpo Kotha 

*Aakash Aath- Raat Pohale Sharad Praate

- Good Morning Aakash - (Guests - Swagatalakshmi and Arindam Ganguly)

*DD Bangla and News Time Bangla- Dance representation of Mahalaya All India Radio programme. 

*TV 9 Bangla - Aachho Antare

- Anya Agomoni

(Programme on tarpan, guest Debshankar Haldar)

*R Bangla - programme with special guests on cruise on the river Ganga

*24 Ghonta- Devipoksher Anjali

- Debi Aashchhen

I always enjoy watching such representations on Ma Durga. 

Here I appreciate all the television channels for their effort to present different aspects of Ma Durga through their programmes.

With lots of best wishes for all.

Joy Ma Durga. 

Mahalaya and Some of the Associations Related to Durga Puja and Autumn Season

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 :).

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.

Mahalaya- The Auspicious Day!

Yesterday was Mahalaya. As usual we woke up at 4 am with the great 'Mahisashura Mardini' on All India Radio :). This presentation is a legend in the true sense of the term. All Bengalis feel the emotions, songs, and all the related associations of childhood - while listening to the programme.

A pious day indeed! End of Pitripaksha and the beginning of Devipaksha. The ritual of the 'tarpan' of the ancestors are also done on this day.

After the completion of Mahisashura Mardini on radio, almost all the tv channels presented 'Mahalaya' in some way or the other. On this day, I love to watch all the programmes/ dance/ drama offered by all the channels. I keep on watching all of them by changing the channel frequently :). This day has an unique charm, which conveys itself through all these enactment of the glories of Ma Aadi Shakti.

Here I am giving the list of programmes aired today on various channels-

* Star Jalsha- 'Abhaya Mangal' ( Stories from Chandi Mangal)

* Zee Bangla- 'Maatri Rupena' (covering the stories of- Kali

                                                                            Shatakkhi

                                                                            Chaamunda

                                                                            Durga

                                                                            Parvati

                                                                            Kaushiki

                                                                            Annapurna

                                                                            Chhinnamasta

                                                                            Kaalraatri

                                                                            Mahisashuramardini)

                 - 'Dugga Ma er Chitra Katha' (animated short film for children)

* DD Bangla- 'Mahisashuramardini' (dance)

                - 'Shokal Shokal' (Guest Raja Bhattacharya discussed many stories related to Durga Puja and sang related songs. He also sang famous stotras like - 'Na Taat Na Maat' and 'Nirvaanshatak' by Adi Shankaracharya)

* Aakash Bangla- 'Raat Phalo Shaarod Praate' (very unique attempt by the channel- discussion/ adda throughout the whole previous night to the dawn of Mahalaya, i.e.- 11 pm - 7 am, with many eminent artists :) )

                     - 'Good Morning Aakash' had Sriradha Bandhyopadhyay and Srikumar Chattopadhyay as guests.

* Star Ananda- 'Mahalayae Mahisashuramardini' ( Discussion/ Adda with many famous personalities)

* News Time Bangla- 'Gouri Esho' ( Discussion and Songs by guests)

* Chobbish Ghonta-  Dance on Mahisashuramardini with Chhou and Kathakali artists, Tamnay Bose was also seen in the music team)

* Zee Bangla Cinema- 'Nabarupe Nabadurga' (presentation of the nine forms of Aadi Shakti. Dance - Koel Mullick and anchored by Aditi Munshi. Re telecast of last year's Mahalaya dance programme of Zee Bangla, which was very good in its content.)

* Colors Bangla- 'Gonudada'r Durgapujo' (animated programme for children)

                    

                     - 'Durga Durgotinashini' [this one presented a family reunion story-  where a Saadhika (Rimjhim Mitra) comes to a house and brings joy with her- also, with the main Mahisashuramardini story, through narration and dance]

Also all the news channels were airing Live telecast of the 'tarpan' ceremony or any other religious ceremonies being performed on the banks/ ghats of Ma Ganga. I enjoyed all those images.

Last year Mahalaya was on 12 October. I was remembering that I could not write a post last year on this day, so just mentioning some of those programmes in this year's post :). Last year we watched Mahalaya on Zee Bangla, Colors Bangla, Rupashi Bangla, DD Bangla, CTVN and so on. Also we watched the animated programme – ‘Chhotoder Dugga Thakur’. Programmes were there in almost every channel. All of them were very nice. Only Star Jalsha presented the story of Ramayan - the incident of 'alaakbodhan' by Shri Ram. That was very unique :), as most of the other channels focused their programme on Mahisashura Vadh by Ma Durga.

Truly a blissful day :), which always makes us look forward to Durga Puja :)

Joy Maa Durga!