Mahalaya - 2018

This year we bring the story of Mahishashur Mardini as seen by our beloved Lokenath and narrated by Bhagwan Ganguly. The story adheres to the age old folk tradition of Bengal and it’s love Maa Durga that transforms itself into various folk Devis. Every district in Bengal approaches Maa in a different way. Sometimes, she is the protector of a forests in Sundarbans, sometimes she is the sweet daughter of Purulia who needs nothing but love; then again she is the blood thirsty scary Devi who calms down when her bhakt doesn’t shy away from her scary avatar. These Devis each have an interesting story of their own, stories that depict the tale of protection, love and nurturing. Through each of these Devis we reach the tale of Mahishashur Mardini and her quintessential saga of establishing purity and joy in the world. Celebrating the tale of good winning over evil, the tale of women empowerment, the legend of Devi Durga and worship of Power in-Shaktiroopeno.