Invoking Durga as they did 50 years back

LUCKNOW: The live performance and rendition of Mahishasur Mardini (annihilation of demon king Mahishasur), which signals the onset of Durga Puja festivities, started in Lucknow in 1964 and this year is its golden jubilee. The musical rendition of the Mahishasur Mardini has over the years retained its unique identity. Devotees love to enjoy in the classic, golden voice of late Birendra Krishna Bhadra, the man who invokes Goddess Durga.
In the past five decades or so, people especially Bengalis, from all walks of life set in motion their Durga Puja celebrations from the day the musical rendition of Mahishasur Mardini is done, as they feel that this will make their Durga Puja festivities memorable. As the first line of the magical poetic invocation rents the air, an atmosphere of spirituality sets in.
Elaborating on the glorious history of the live performance of Mahishasur Mardini, Arun Banerjee, general secretary of Bengali Club and Youngmen's Association, said, "The history of live performance of Mahishasur Mardini dates back to 1964, and this year, we are entering the 50th year of the live performance." He stated further that to relive the nostalgic moments, the Bengali Club would be felicitating artists who were part of the orchestra, which performed at the club premises in 1964.
The rendition of first live Mahishasur Mardini at the stage of the Bengali Club was a result of efforts of the trio comprising music director Shandhya Bandopadhay (popularly known as Bouma), Chandipaath by Samir Sinha and initiative taken by former president of Bengali Club Robin Mitra (then an office-bearer).
"Eighty five-year-old singer Dwijen Mukhopadhay, who sang 'Jaago Tumi Jaago' in the world famous Birendra Krishna Bhadra's rendition of Mahishasur Mardini had come to Bengali Club in 2001, and participated in the Chandipaath. This year too he would be gracing the occasion on the club premises, and we would be felicitating him," said Banerjee. Among the other artistes, who were part of the first team to render Mahishasur Mardini live at Bengali Club, include Santosh Chatterjee (violin), Nitai Lahiri (khol), Sapna Sinha (tabla) and singers Anjana Banerjee, Gopal Sarkar, Ajit Banerjee, Baren Chaterjee and Nita Bose. The duo of BP Chaterjee and Mukta Chaterjee, who directed the rendition of Chandipaath in 1967 would also be felicitated on this occasion.
The artists would be honoured on the evening of October 10 during the dance drama Durga Durgati Nashini, which would be inaugurated by the legendary singer Dwijen Mukhopadhay.