6-Mahaalaya
What is Mahaalaya?
Mahaalaya is an auspicious occasion observed seven days before the Durgaa Poojaa,
and heralds the advent of Durgaa, the goddess of supreme power. It's a kind of
invocation or invitation to the mother goddess to descend on earth - "Jaago
Tumi Jaago". This is done through the chanting of Mantra and singing her
devotional songs.
Why is Mahaalaya So Special?
Since the early 1930s, Mahaalaya has come to associate itself with an early
morning radio program called "Mahishaasur Mardinee" or "The
Annihilator of the Demon Mahish". This All India Radio (AIR) program
is a beautiful audio montage of recitation from the scriptural verses of
"Chandee Kaavya", Bangaalee 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 Mahaalaya.
For nearly six decades now (now is 2011), the whole of Bangaal rises up in the
chilly pre-dawn hours, 4 am to be precise, of the Mahaalaya day to tune in to
the "Mahishaasur Mardinee" broadcast.
The Magic of Birendra Krishna Bhadra
One man who'll always be remembered for making Mahaalaya memorable to one and
all is Birendra Krishna Bhadra, the magical voice behind the "Mahishaasur
Mardinee". The legendary narrator recites the holy verses and tells the
story of the descent of Durgaa to Earth, in his inimitable style. Bhadra has
long passed away, but his recorded voice still forms the core of the Mahaalaya
program. In a sonorous, reverberating voice Birendra Bhadra renders the Mahaalaya
recital for two thrilling hours, mesmerizing every household with the divine aura
of his narration, as the Bangaalee submerge their souls in quiet moments of prayer.
A Landmark Composition
"Mahishaasur Mardinee" is a remarkable piece of audio drama matchless in
Indian culture. Though the theme is mythical and the Mantra are Vaidik, 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 Malik, 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 Chandee Mantra.
The Story of
Mahishaasur Mardinee
The story element is captivating. It speaks of the increasing cruelty of the
demon king Mahishaasur against Devtaa. Unable to tolerate his tyranny devtaa
plead to Vishnu to annihilate the Asur. The Trinity of Brahmaa, Vishnu and
Maheshwar (Shiva) come together to create a powerful female form with ten arms -
Goddess Durgaa or 'Mahaamaayaa', the Mother of the Universe who embodied the
primeval source of all power. Devtaa then bestowed upon this Supreme creation
their individual blessings and weapons. Armed like a warrior, this Devee rode
a lion to battle with Mahishaasur. After a fierce combat the 'Durgatinaashinee'
is able to slay the 'Asur' 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:
"Yaa devee sarvabhooteshu, shakti roopen sansthitaa
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai namo namah"
The love between the
Divine Mother and her human children is a unique relationship. Kaalee, the Dark
Mother is one such deity with whom devotees have a very loving and intimate
bond, in spite of her fearful appearance. In this relationship, the worshipper
becomes a child and Kaalee assumes the form of the ever-caring mother. "O
Mother, even a dullard becomes a poet who meditates upon thee raimented with space,
three-eyed, creatrix of the three worlds, whose waist is beautiful with a girdle
made of numbers of dead men's arms..." (From a Karpuradee Stotra hymn,
translated from Sanskrit by Sir John Woodroffe)