Sovabazar Rajbari to revive 'Debi Bandana'

  • | Sunday | 14th October, 2018

KOLKATA: A musical theatre titled 'Debi Bandana' - based on the stories of Devi Durga's fight with asuras - will be staged after 50 years on Panchami evening at the Sovabazar Rajbari in north Kolkata. The piece was first staged in 1947 and last in 1968 at the naachghar of the rajbari. Some changes have been made in the presentation to make it relevant with the change in time.After a few months of Independence, in the wee hours of Mahasaptami, 'Chandipaath' aired from loudspeakers echoed throughout the area adjacent to Sovabazar Rajbari. It inspired the Sovabazar family to script its own version of the of 'Mohishasura Mardini', which was set to tune by the members of the rajbari. At that early hour of the day, very few people would turned up at the Rajbari.

KOLKATA: A musical theatre titled 'Debi Bandana' - based on the stories of Devi Durga's fight with asuras - will be staged after 50 years on Panchami evening at the Sovabazar Rajbari in north Kolkata. The piece was first staged in 1947 and last in 1968 at the naachghar of the rajbari. The participants are all from within the rajbari clan. Some changes have been made in the presentation to make it relevant with the change in time.After a few months of Independence, in the wee hours of Mahasaptami, 'Chandipaath' aired from loudspeakers echoed throughout the area adjacent to Sovabazar Rajbari. It inspired the Sovabazar family to script its own version of the of 'Mohishasura Mardini', which was set to tune by the members of the rajbari. "It was different from the traditional one aired by the radio station. Only the Chandipaath portion was the same," said Soumit Dev, a member of the rajbari.The musical continued to be staged every year till 1968. "People were used to it every year. It was like a second Mahalaya morning to all. At that early hour of the day, very few people would turned up at the Rajbari. Loudspeakers were installed so that locals could hear the play," said Dev.This year, the same script will be used along with the same songs with unchanged notations. But the instruments are not in a condition to play. The 1 hour 20 minutes piece has at least 18-19 songs. About 35 members of the family are participating. Instead of the naachghar, the play will be staged staged at the natmondir.Ranendra Krishna Dev, who will recite the script and chant stotras from 'Chandi', said, "I'm consciously following the Birendra Krishna style. I can't say if I will do justice but am trying sincerely."

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