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Mamma Mia
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Dasara is time to get back to the family for real fun and frolic
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Photo: K.R. Deepak
Hit it right Dandiya is popular among youngsters
During this time of year, people across the globe gear up for the nine-day festival, which is otherwise called as the Navaratri festival.
Different names are attributed to the festival. People from Bengal call it ‘Durgaotsav’ or ‘Sharodotsav’, the natives of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan term it as Navaratri and in the South, it is celebrated as Dasara with hosting Bommai Kolu. According to the Puranas and Ramayana, it is said Mother Durga was first worshipped during this part of the year, which is considered to be untimely, by Lord Rama to invoke Her blessings to slay the demon king Ravana. The festival signifies the triumph of good over evil.
While the Gujaratis and South Indians worship the nine forms of the Mother, each day devoted to one form, the Bengalis celebrate the homecoming of the Mother. Durga Puja in Bengal dates back to the mid 16th century, but the prominence of the puja increased during the colonial rule.
For the freedom fighters of Bengal, the form of Devi Durga was a metaphor for the motherland. She had become an icon for the Indian independence movement. This movement paved the way for the beginning of ‘Baroyari’ or community Puja or sarbojanin puja, in the early part of the 20th century.
Today, apart from West Bengal, the Bengali diaspora across the globe celebrate the ‘Durgaotsav’ with all religious fervour. It is said that if five Bengalis meet together in any part of the world, the first idea that comes to their mind is to start a Durga puja.
The staging of Bommai Kolu at homes has been the tradition since long. Various idols of gods and goddesses and dolls depicting mythological characters are arranged to form a picturesque setting in each house and worshipped. People visit each other’s house to appreciate the decoration and partake the ‘prasadam’.
Garba and dandiya
In the north, especially the people from Gujarat and Rajasthan invoke the energy aspect of Goddess Durga. They believe that by worshipping Her, the miseries of life would be removed. Apart from the rituals, they celebrate the festival by dancing all night to please the Goddess.
The dance forms are called, Garba and Dandiya.
SUMIT BHATTACHARJEE
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