[Assam] Mahalaya: Invoking the Mother Goddess

[Pradip Kumar Datta]

Mahalaya: Invoking the Mother Goddess http://hindufestivalsofindia.blogspot.com/2008/09/mahalaya-invoking-mother-goddess.html




A Once-a-Year Popular Radio Program      From By Soma Das, for About.comCome
September, and Hindus all over the world get enthused in festive
fervor. Come “Mahalaya” and Bengalis get busy to complete the final
preparations for their greatest festival - Durga Puja.
.
  What's Mahalaya?
Mahalaya
is an auspicious occasion observed seven days before the Durga Puja,
and heralds the advent of Durga, the goddess of supreme power. It's a
kind of invocation or invitation to the mother goddess to descend on
earth - "Jago Tumi Jago". This is done through the chanting of mantras
and singing devotional songs.
.
  Why's Mahalaya So Special? 
Since
the early 1930s, Mahalaya has come to associate itself with an early
morning radio program called “Mahisasura Mardini” or “The Annihilation
of the Demon.” This All India Radio (AIR) program is a beautiful audio
montage of recitation from the scriptural verses of “Chandi Kavya”,
Bengali devotional songs, classical music and a dash of acoustic
melodrama. The program has also been translated into Hindi set to
similar orchestration and is broadcast at the same time for a
pan-Indian audience.  This program
has almost become synonymous with Mahalaya. For nearly six decades now,
the whole of Bengal rises up in the chilly pre dawn hours, 4 am to be
precise, of the Mahalaya day to tune in to the “Mahisasura Mardini”
broadcast.
.
  The Magic of Birendra Krishna Bhadra
One
man who'll always be remembered for making Mahalaya memorable to one
and all is Birendra Krishna Bhadra, the magical voice behind the
“Mahisasura Mardini.” The legendary narrator recites the holy verses
and tells the story of the descent of Durga to earth, in his inimitable
style. 

 Bhadra has long passed
away, but his recorded voice still forms the core of the Mahalaya
program. In a sonorous, reverberating voice Birendra Bhadra renders the
Mahalaya recital for two thrilling hours, mesmerizing every household
with the divine aura of his narration, as the Bengalis submerge their
souls in quiet moments of prayer.
.
  A Landmark Composition
“Mahisasura
Mardini” is a remarkable piece of audio drama matchless in Indian
culture. Though the theme is mythical and the mantras Vedic, this
program is a landmark composition. It's scripted by Bani Kumar, and
narrated by Bhadra. The enchanting music is composed by none other than
the immortal Pankaj Mullick, and the songs are rendered by famous
singers of yesteryears, including Hemant Kumar and Arati Mukherjee. 
As the recital begins, the serene morning air resonates with the long
drawn sound of the sacred conch shell, immediately followed by a chorus
of invocation, melodiously setting the stage for the recitation of the
Chandi Mantra.
.
  The Story of “Mahisasura Mardini”
The
story element is captivating. It speaks of the increasing cruelty of
the demon king Mahisasura against the gods. Unable to tolerate his
tyranny the gods plead with Vishnu to annihilate the demon. The Trinity
of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara (Shiva) come together to create a
powerful female form with ten arms - Goddess Durga or 'Mahamaya', the
Mother of the Universe who embodies the primeval source of all power. 


The gods then bestow upon this Supreme creation their individual
blessings and weapons. Armed like a warrior, the goddess rides a lion
to battle with the Mahisasura. After a fierce combat the
'Durgatinashini' is able to slay the 'Asura' king with her trident.
Heaven and earth rejoice at her victory. Finally, the mantra narration
ends with the refrain of mankind's supplication before this Supreme
Power:   "Ya devi sarbabhuteshshu, sakti rupena sanksthita Namasteshwai Namasteshwai Namasteshwai namo namaha."

details here: http://hindufestivalsofindia.blogspot.com/2008/09/mahalaya-invoking-mother-goddess.html