Kajol, Ranbir Kapoor and other celebrities step out for Durga Puja celebration - See pics

Every year, Hindus mark the end of a 14 days lunar period in the Hindu calendar (known as Pitri Paksha in Sanskrit) with Mahalaya. It is a day to remember one's ancestors and offer food to birds and animals in honour of one's forefathers.

For Bengalis, this day marks the beginning of week-long festivities- popularly known as Durga Puja which overlaps with Navrati, another Hindu festival celebrating the goddess.

On Mahalaya every year, Indian Bengalis wake up in the wee hours of the morning to listen to the legendary radio broadcaster and playwright, the late Birendra Krishna Bhadra's recitation of the Mahisasuramardini. The audio-play which has over the years been adapted in Hindi for pan-India audiences and included in numerous teleplays has become part of a tradition of the Bengali community.

Now available on Youtube, it is almost ceremonial to play Bhadra's audio-musical in the early hours of the morning on Mahalaya. No matter which part of the world one is in, Bengalis are known to tune in to Bhadra's voice and recitation of the Sanskrit shlokas which herald Durga Puja festivities days later.

While it has become a tradition for all Bengalis to mark Mahalaya with Bhadra's voice, it interestingly has its roots in modern-day technology.

It is actually a radio-induced culture - &nbsp;introduced in 1931 as a programme to give devout Hindus company as they made their way to the banks of River Ganga to perform rituals before sunrise. &nbsp;These rituals, known as 'Tarpan', were performed in honour of one's forefathers.

History of Mahisasuramardini- the play

In 1931, Mahalaya the programme was the first broadcast in Akashvani, Calcutta. The programme was organised by Pankaj Kumar Mallik, Premankur Aatorthi, Birendra Krishna Bhadra, Nripendra Krishna Mukhopadhyay and Raichand Boral- considered stalwarts of AIR, Calcutta.

In the initial years, as the radio play gained popularity, the one hour 30 minutes would typically be performed live at the radio station in Calcutta led by Bhadra's recitation. Some of the most prominent singers of Bengal including Dwijen Mukhopadhyay, Pratima Bandopadhyay, Shyamal Mitra, and Hemant Mukherjee have been part of the audio-musical over the years.

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The controversy

Bhadra was briefly replaced in 1976 by the voice of prominent Bengali film actor Uttam Kumar and the programme was renamed 'Durga Durgatiharini' but did not get a favourable response from the listeners as they wanted Bhadra's voice for the occasion. Akashvani eventually brought in the original version recited by Bhadra the next year, and it continues to play every year.

Funnily, while most have grown up listening to Bhadra's recitation believing it to be a part of the tradition, it was in fact a modern-day radio-induced tradition that Bengalis made their own. &nbsp;Mahalaya and Bhadra's voices are synonymous with Durga Puja celebrations. The celebrations seem incomplete without listening to Bhadra's booming voice reciting Sanskrit shlokas. 
 
His recitation has been used massively in pop culture in the last 90 years. Bhadra's voice, the classic audio programme is as integral to the festivities as the days of Durga Puja itself.

With the onset of TV, teleplays enacting the story of how Goddess Durga took charge and killed Mahisasura, the devil king, are played on various channels. Each has its own version of the folklore, but the climax, where the actual battle between the goddess and the demon takes place always has Bhadra's recitation playing in the background, no matter which channel you are tuned into.

In the last 90 years, Bhadra has become an important part of Bengali culture. What started as an invocation of the goddess as a means to keep sleepy devotees awake in the early hours of dawn, has over the years become a culture in itself that no Bengali is ready to let go of. &nbsp;

Every year, Hindus mark the end of a 14 days lunar period in the Hindu calendar (known as Pitri Paksha in Sanskrit) with Mahalaya. It is a day to remember one's ancestors and offer food to birds and animals in honour of one's forefathers.

Every year, Hindus mark the end of a 14 days lunar period in the Hindu calendar (known as Pitri Paksha in Sanskrit) with Mahalaya. It is a day to remember one's ancestors and offer food to birds and animals in honour of one's forefathers. For Bengalis, this day marks the beginning of week-long festivities- popularly known as Durga Puja which overlaps with Navrati, another Hindu festival celebrating the goddess. On Mahalaya every year, Indian Bengalis wake up in the wee hours of the morning to listen to the legendary radio broadcaster and playwright, the late Birendra Krishna Bhadra's recitation of the Mahisasuramardini. The audio-play which has over the years been adapted in Hindi for pan-India audiences and included in numerous teleplays has become part of a tradition of the Bengali community. Now available on Youtube, it is almost ceremonial to play Bhadra's audio-musical in the early hours of the morning on Mahalaya. No matter which part of the world one is in, Bengalis are known to tune in to Bhadra's voice and recitation of the Sanskrit shlokas which herald Durga Puja festivities days later. While it has become a tradition for all Bengalis to mark Mahalaya with Bhadra's voice, it interestingly has its roots in modern-day technology. It is actually a radio-induced culture - introduced in 1931 as a programme to give devout Hindus company as they made their way to the banks of River Ganga to perform rituals before sunrise. These rituals, known as 'Tarpan', were performed in honour of one's forefathers. History of Mahisasuramardini- the play In 1931, Mahalaya the programme was the first broadcast in Akashvani, Calcutta. The programme was organised by Pankaj Kumar Mallik, Premankur Aatorthi, Birendra Krishna Bhadra, Nripendra Krishna Mukhopadhyay and Raichand Boral- considered stalwarts of AIR, Calcutta. In the initial years, as the radio play gained popularity, the one hour 30 minutes would typically be performed live at the radio station in Calcutta led by Bhadra's recitation. Some of the most prominent singers of Bengal including Dwijen Mukhopadhyay, Pratima Bandopadhyay, Shyamal Mitra, and Hemant Mukherjee have been part of the audio-musical over the years. The controversy Bhadra was briefly replaced in 1976 by the voice of prominent Bengali film actor Uttam Kumar and the programme was renamed 'Durga Durgatiharini' but did not get a favourable response from the listeners as they wanted Bhadra's voice for the occasion. Akashvani eventually brought in the original version recited by Bhadra the next year, and it continues to play every year. Funnily, while most have grown up listening to Bhadra's recitation believing it to be a part of the tradition, it was in fact a modern-day radio-induced tradition that Bengalis made their own. Mahalaya and Bhadra's voices are synonymous with Durga Puja celebrations. The celebrations seem incomplete without listening to Bhadra's booming voice reciting Sanskrit shlokas. His recitation has been used massively in pop culture in the last 90 years. Bhadra's voice, the classic audio programme is as integral to the festivities as the days of Durga Puja itself. With the onset of TV, teleplays enacting the story of how Goddess Durga took charge and killed Mahisasura, the devil king, are played on various channels. Each has its own version of the folklore, but the climax, where the actual battle between the goddess and the demon takes place always has Bhadra's recitation playing in the background, no matter which channel you are tuned into. In the last 90 years, Bhadra has become an important part of Bengali culture. What started as an invocation of the goddess as a means to keep sleepy devotees awake in the early hours of dawn, has over the years become a culture in itself that no Bengali is ready to let go of.

Mahalaya: How a 1931 All India Radio programme became a tradition for Bengalis world over

No celebration is complete without great food. And, since we are just days away from Durga Puja, it's only apt that we start prepping for some delicious delicacies that we can enjoy with our friends and families during the festivities.

Be it sweet or savoury, several Durga Puja dishes deserve a spot on your dining table. We have listed some must-try dishes for Durga Puja. Check them out below.!

Durga Puja 2022 dishes

<ol>
	<li>Mishti Doi - This sweet curd can be enjoyed alone or with a savoury dish</li>
	<li>Shondesh - This is Bengal's most popular sweet dish. It is made of milk and sugar</li>
	<li>Payasam -&nbsp;This dish is made of milk, vermicelli and loads of dry fruits</li>
	<li>Rasgulla - Everyone's all-time favourite sweet dish must be a part of the festivities</li>
	<li>Khire ke pakode - These fritters are great for evening snacks</li>
	<li>Kichuri -&nbsp;This dish is made with rice and lentils. They are widely served in pandals during the festive days</li>
	<li>Kosha mutton -&nbsp;This gravy dish is enjoyed with plain rice or Lucchi</li>
	<li>Lucchi -&nbsp;Lucchi is made of all-purpose flour. They are deep fried and taste great with other gravies and savoury dishes</li>
</ol>

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-durga-puja-2022-heres-how-you-can-dress-up-for-the-indian-festival-517062" hreflang="en">Durga Puja 2022: Here's how you can dress up for the Indian festival</a>

Durga Puja dates

This year, Durga Puja will be celebrated from October 1st to 5th.&nbsp;

Durga Puja significance

The festival pays homage to the Hindu goddess Durga and it is also celebrated because of Maa Durga's victory over shape-shifting asura Mahishasur. The day celebrates the victory of good over evil.

No celebration is complete without great food. And, since we are just days away from Durga Puja, it's only apt that we start prepping for some delicious delicacies that we can enjoy with our friends and families during the festivities.

No celebration is complete without great food. And, since we are just days away from Durga Puja, it's only apt that we start prepping for some delicious delicacies that we can enjoy with our friends and families during the festivities. Be it sweet or savoury, several Durga Puja dishes deserve a spot on your dining table. We have listed some must-try dishes for Durga Puja. Check them out below.! Durga Puja 2022 dishes Mishti Doi - This sweet curd can be enjoyed alone or with a savoury dish Shondesh - This is Bengal's most popular sweet dish. It is made of milk and sugar Payasam - This dish is made of milk, vermicelli and loads of dry fruits Rasgulla - Everyone's all-time favourite sweet dish must be a part of the festivities Khire ke pakode - These fritters are great for evening snacks Kichuri - This dish is made with rice and lentils. They are widely served in pandals during the festive days Kosha mutton - This gravy dish is enjoyed with plain rice or Lucchi Lucchi - Lucchi is made of all-purpose flour. They are deep fried and taste great with other gravies and savoury dishes Also read: Durga Puja 2022: Here's how you can dress up for the Indian festival Durga Puja dates This year, Durga Puja will be celebrated from October 1st to 5th. Durga Puja significance The festival pays homage to the Hindu goddess Durga and it is also celebrated because of Maa Durga's victory over shape-shifting asura Mahishasur. The day celebrates the victory of good over evil.

Delicious Durga Puja cuisines you must try once

To celebrate the victory of good over evil, Durga Puja is observed in some parts of India on the last day of Navaratri. This year, the festival will be celebrated from 1st to 5th October.

To celebrate the victory of good over evil, Durga Puja is observed in some parts of India on the last day of Navaratri. This year, the festival will be celebrated from 1st to 5th October. For Bengalis, it is a six-day-long festival which is marked by Mahalaya, Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and Vijayadashami. People follow age-old rituals to welcome Goddess Durga to their homes and they pray all day. The believers also dress up in stunning ethnic attires and decorate their houses to mark the victory of goddess Durga over Mahishasura, the Buffalo demon. Bringing the best of their wardrobes to the fore, ladies spend hours getting the festive look right. And, it can be quite daunting as a minimum of five looks have to be curated for this festival. To make things easier for you, we have shortlisted some outfit ideas that are perfect for Durga Puja. Bookmark your favourite ones and take cues for the festive outing. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AVIJIT DAS (@aavijit_d) View this post on Instagram A post shared by कoshak (@koshak__couture) View this post on Instagram A post shared by roktim lahon (@_rok_tim_) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fashion Adda (@fashion_adda_siliguri) View this post on Instagram A post shared by WEST BENGAL MODEL (@westbengal.shoutout) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Saree Angels (@saree_angels_2) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Saree Angels (@saree_angels_2) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Saree Angels (@saree_angels_2) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sanskruti Jain (@jain_sanskruti) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Classic Curves (@classiccurvespvtltd) Styling tips: Opt for pastel colours as they radiate immense royalty To add glitz and glamour to your look, opt for shimmering tops or lehenga skirts Go heavy with jewellery if you are wearing something simple Go minimal with jewellery if you are wearing a heavily embroidered outfit Stick to monochromatic makeup for eyes and lipstick if your outfit is too bright Match your lip shade with your ethnic attire For your tresses, go creative and avoid the basic hairstyles

Durga Puja 2022: Here's how you can dress up for the Indian festival

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durga puja-2022

Kajol, Ranbir Kapoor and other celebrities step out for Durga Puja celebration - See pics

Mahalaya: How a 1931 All India Radio programme became a tradition for Bengalis world over

Delicious Durga Puja cuisines you must try once

Durga Puja 2022: Here's how you can dress up for the Indian festival