103.87.143.111 at 17:24, 10 July 2021

2021-07-10T17:24:21Z

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{{For|goddess|Durga}}
{{italic title}}
{{Infobox Radio Show
| show_name = Mahisasuramardini<br/>মহিষাসুরমর্দ্দিনী
| image =
| imagesize = 250px
| caption = Cover of ''Mahishasuramarddini'' album
| other_names = Chandipath<br/>Mahalaya
| format = religious
| runtime = 1 hr 29 mins
| country = [[India]]
| language = [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Sanskrit]]
| home_station = [[All India Radio|Akashvani]]
| syndicates =
| television =
| starring =
| creator =
| writer = * [[Bani Kumar]] – Script-Writing
* [[Pankaj Mullick]] – Music Composition
* [[Birendra Krishna Bhadra]] – Narration and Recitation of Scriptures
| producer =
| executive_producer =
| narrated = [[Birendra Krishna Bhadra]]
| record_location =
| first_aired = 1931
| last_aired =
| num_series =
| num_episodes =
| audio_format =
| opentheme = Conch blowing sound and ''Ya Chandi'' Song
| endtheme = ''Shanti Dile Bhori'' song and Conch blowing sound
| website =
| podcast =
}}

'''''Mahishasuramarddini''''' {{efn|{{IPA-sa|mɐ.ɦi.ʂaː.su.rɐ.mɐrd̪.d̪i.niː}}, {{lang-bn|মহিষাসুরমর্দ্দিনী|Môhiṣāsurômôrddinī|The Annihilator of [[Mahishasura]]}}, {{IPA-bn|mɔ.ɦi.ʃa.ʃur.mor.d̪i.ni}}}} is a widely popular early [[Bengali language|Bengali]] special dawn radio programme that has been broadcast since 1931<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freewebs.com/airkolkata/birenda1.html|title=Biography of Birendra Krishna Bhadra|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926092312/http://www.freewebs.com/airkolkata/birenda1.html|archivedate=2014-09-26}}</ref> on [[All India Radio]] (AIR) in Indian state [[West Bengal]]. It is a one-and-a-half-hour audio montage of Caṇḍipāṭh (chanting from Caṇḍi) recitation from the scriptural verses of Śrī Śrī Caṇḍi or [[Durga Saptashati]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.netglimse.com/holidays/durga_puja/mahalaya.shtml |title=durga_puja : Mahalaya |publisher=www.netglimse.com |accessdate=2009-06-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629010504/http://www.netglimse.com/holidays/durga_puja/mahalaya.shtml |archivedate=2009-06-29 }}
</ref> Bengali devotional songs, classical music and a dash of acoustic melodrama. The program has been translated into Hindi set to similar orchestration and is broadcast at the same time for a pan-Indian audience.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hinduism.about.com/cs/audiomusic/a/aa092003a.htm|title=Mahalaya: Invoking the Mother Goddess|publisher=hinduism.about.com|accessdate=2009-06-13|last=|first=}}</ref> This programme is aired every year at day-break on [[Mahalaya]]. The programme, which started off as a live-performance, has been broadcast in its pre-recorded format since 1966.<ref>[Birendra Krishna Bhadra: A Legend, A Nostalgia (Original in Bangla) ©Ajit Basu, Publisher:Sahayatri, 8, Patuatola Lane, Kolkata 700009.]</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.freewebs.com/airkolkata/Mahishasur.html| title = History of first broadcast of Mahishasur Mardini }}</ref> However, its great popularity remains undiminished even today over 89 years later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pankajmullick.org/bio.htm |title=Biography of Pankaj Kumar Mullick - the versatile musical genius |publisher=www.pankajmullick.org |accessdate=2009-06-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417032114/http://pankajmullick.org/bio.htm |archivedate=April 17, 2009 }}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121025001100/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-19/delhi/28094751_1_mahalaya-durga-puja-goddess-durga Mahalaya ushers in the Puja spirit] [[The Times of India]], TNN 19 September 2009.</ref><ref>[http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/morning-raga/518591/ Morning Raga] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930065557/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/morning-raga/518591/ |date=2012-09-30 }} [[Indian Express]], PiyasreeDasgupta, Sep 18, 2009.</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = An 83-Year-Old Song Dominates India's Airwaves Every Year |work= The Atlantic | url = https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/09/an-83-year-old-song-dominated-indias-airwaves-this-morning/380685/ |author=Tanya Basu|date=Sep 23, 2014| accessdate = 2014-09-24 }}</ref>

This program has become synonymous with Mahalaya which is celebrated to usher the Devipaksha lunar fortnight and the Durga Puja. To this day, most of Bengal wakes up in the breezily pre dawn hours, 4 am to be precise, on the Mahalaya day to tune into the ''Mahishasuramarddini'' broadcast. Presently the recordings are available as audio cassettes and Compact Disks from HMV-RPG which has obtained the rights from All India Radio. The CD version (as of 2002) contains 19 tracks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://quiqinq.com/mahisasura-mardini-by-birendra-krishna-bhadra-air-recording-details-of-tracks-and-artists/ |title=Mahisasura Mardini by Birendra Krishna Bhadra (AIR Recording) – Details of tracks and artists |publisher=QuiQinQ |accessdate=2012-10-21 |last= |first= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024064649/http://quiqinq.com/mahisasura-mardini-by-birendra-krishna-bhadra-air-recording-details-of-tracks-and-artists/ |archive-date=2012-10-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Birendra Krishna Bhadra==
[[Birendra Krishna Bhadra]], who will always be remembered for making Mahalaya memorable to one and all, is the voice behind the “Mahisasura Mardini.” He recites the holy verses and tells the story of the descent of Durga to earth. It was on the day of Mahalaya, the beginning of "Devipaksha", that the gods and goddesses woke up to prepare themselves for Durga Puja. In 1931, Mahalaya was first broadcast over the radio in Akashvani, Calcutta. The programme was organised by [[Pankaj Mullick|Pankaj Kumar Mallik]], [[Premankur Atorthy|Premankur Aatorthi]], [[Birendra Krishna Bhadra]], Nripendra Krishna Mukhopadhyay and [[Raichand Boral]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bangalinet.com/mahalaya.htm|title=Mahalaya : Durga Puja mahalaya : Durga Puja |publisher=www.bangalinet.com |accessdate=2009-06-13 |last=|first=}}</ref>

So popular was his version of the recitation that when in 1976, the voice of noted Bengali actor, [[Uttam Kumar]] was employed for the programme and renamed it as [[Durga Durgatiharini]] did not get favorable response from the audience and it was shifted back to the original version of Birendra Krishna Bhadra.<ref>[http://www.indianexpress.com/news/timeless-tunes/367193/ Timeless Tunes] [[Indian Express]], Sep 29, 2008.</ref>

Bhadra died long ago, but his recorded voice still forms the core of the Mahalaya program. In a sonorous voice Bhadra renders the Mahalaya recital for one and half thrilling hours, mesmerizing every household with the divine aura of his narration, as the Bengalees submerge their souls in quiet moments of prayer.

==Musical Composition==
Though the theme is [[mythological]] and the [[mantras]] [[Vedic]], this program is a landmark composition. It is scripted by [[Bani Kumar]], and narrated by [[Birendra Krishna Bhadra]] while [[Dwijen Mukhopadhyay]] (Jago Durga Jago Doshoprohoronodharini), [[Manabendra Mukhopadhyay]] (Tabo Achinta), [[Sandhya Mukhopadhyay]], [[Aarti Mukherji|Arati Mukhopadhyay]], Utpala Sen, [[Shyamal Mitra]] and Supriti Ghosh (Bajlo tomar alor benu) sang in their melodious voices.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bangalinet.com/mahalaya.htm|title=Mahalaya : Durga Puja mahalaya : Durga Puja|publisher=www.bangalinet.com|accessdate=2009-06-13|last=|first=}}</ref> The enchanting music is composed by [[Pankaj Mullick]],.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pankajmullick.org/bio.htm |title=Biography of Pankaj Kumar Mullick - the versatile musical genius |publisher=www.pankajmullick.org |accessdate=2009-06-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417032114/http://pankajmullick.org/bio.htm |archivedate=April 17, 2009 }}</ref> As the recital begins, the serene morning air resonates with the long drawn sound of the sacred conch shell, followed by a tune in Raga Malkosh, which ultimately leads to the start of the programme with the prayer to [[Chandi|Goddess Chandi]]. Immediately an atmosphere is created full of assurance, respect and universal love and peace. This way, ''Mahisasurmardini'' took a permanent place in the heart of Bengali as well as Indian culture.

===Artists===

====Main Artists====
* [[Bani Kumar]] - Script Writing
* [[Pankaj Mullick]] - Music Composition
* [[Birendra Krishna Bhadra]] - Narration and Recitation of Scriptures

====Singers====

* [[Dwijen Mukhopadhyay]] (Jago Tumi Jago, Jago Durga, Jago Dashoprohoronadharini)
* [[Pratima Bandopadhyay]] (Amala Kirane)
* [[Shyamal Mitra]] (Subhro Sankha Robe)
* [[Sandhya Mukhopadhyay]] (Bimane Bimane Aloker Gaane)
* [[Manabendra Mukhopadhyay]] (Tabo Achintya)
* [[Arati Mukhopadhyay]] (Subhro Sankha Robe)
* [[Supriti Ghosh]] (Bajlo Tomar Alor Benu)
* [[Pankaj Kumar Mullick]] (Jayanti Mangala Kali & Aham Rudrebhirvasubhischara)
* [[Utpala Sen]] (Shanti Dile Bhori)
* [[Tarun Bandopadhyay]] (Hey Chinmoyi)
* [[Krishna Dasgupta]] (Akhilo Bimane Tabo Jayagaane)
* [[Sumitra Sen]] (Mago Tabo Bine)
* [[Ashima Bhattacharya]] (Subhro Sankha Robe)
* [[Shipra Bose]] (Ogo amar agomoni)
* [[Bimal Bhushan]] (Namo Chandi Namo Chandi)
* [[Dhananjay Bhattacharya]] (Rupang Dehi, Jayang Dehi)
* [[Haimanti Shukla]] (Aham Rudrebhirvasubhischara, Jago Dashoprohoronadharini)

==References==
{{notelist}}
{{Reflist|2}}
* Pragya Paramita. "[http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=201429 Heralding The Goddess]{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}", ''expressindia.com,'' ''Indian Express Newspapers (Mumbai) Ltd,'' 15 September 2006. Retrieved on 6 May 2007.
* Indranil Chakraborty. "[http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=202762 Saregama gets going on Bhadra royalty]{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, ''expressindia.com,'' ''Indian Express Newspapers (Mumbai) Ltd,'' September 26, 2006. Retrieved on 6 May 2007.
* "[https://web.archive.org/web/20090629010504/http://www.netglimse.com/holidays/durga_puja/mahalaya.shtml Mahalaya in Bengal]", ''Mahalaya - Its Relation with the Durga Puja,'' ''NetGlimse.com''. Retrieved on 6 May 2007.
* "[http://www.bangalinet.com/mahalaya.htm Mahalaya]", ''bangalinet.com''. Retrieved on 6 May 2007.
* "[https://web.archive.org/web/20121024064649/http://quiqinq.com/mahisasura-mardini-by-birendra-krishna-bhadra-air-recording-details-of-tracks-and-artists/ Mahisasura Mardini by Birendra Krishna Bhadra (AIR Recording) – Details of tracks and artists]", ''quiqinq.com''. Retrieved on 21 October 2012.

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090629010504/http://www.netglimse.com/holidays/durga_puja/mahalaya.shtml Mahisasura Mardini Mahalaya]
* [http://www.durgamma.com Official Website of Kanaka Durgamma Temple]

[[Category:Indian radio programmes]]
[[Category:Durga Puja]]
[[Category:All India Radio]]
[[Category:1931 in India]]
[[Category:Religious radio programs]]
[[Category:Radio programs based on works]]
[[Category:1931 radio programme debuts]]
[[Category:Hindu music]]
[[Category:Works based on religious texts]]

Mahisasuramardini (radio programme) - Revision history

103.87.143.111 at 17:24, 10 July 2021