Birendra Krishna Bhadra: The Legendary Voice of Mahishasuramardini on Mahalaya Dawn

Name of Birendra Krishna Bhadra is inseparably linked with Mahalaya which marks the transition from Pitru Paksha, traditionally devoted to remembering ancestors, to Devi Paksha, associated with the worship of the Goddess Durga.

The dawn programme Mahishasuramardini, broadcast on Mahalaya morning, and the recitation of the Chandi in Birendra Krishna Bhadra’s voice have become virtually synonymous with each other.

For many Bengali households, listening to Mahishasuramardini before dawn is an annual ritual.

Birendra Krishna Bhadra was born in 1905 in Ahiritola, in what is now North Kolkata. His father, Rai Bahadur Kalikrishna Bhadra, was a linguist by profession, and his mother was Sarala Devi. Birendra Krishna Bhadra received his early education in Sanskrit from his grandmother, Yogamaya Devi. Blessed with an exceptional memory, Birendra Krishna astonished everyone by reciting the Chandi at just eight years of age.

He attended Scottish Church College but completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Vidyasagar College.

He joined Akashvani {All India Radio}, India's public radio broadcaster. Radio offered Bhadra an opportunity to combine his command of language, dramatic expression and Sanskrit recitation to reach audiences far beyond the theatre or literary circles.

He became associated with Mahishasuramardini, a two-hour musical programme based on the story of Goddess Durga's slaying of the demon Mahishasura, broadcast on the occasion of Durga Puja.

The programme emerged in the early 1930s and became a landmark in Indian radio broadcasting. The programme's script was written by Bani Kumar Bhattacharya, while the music was directed by Raichand Boral and Pankaj Kumar Mullick.

Birendra Krishna Bhadra passed away in 1991. Yet, every Mahalaya dawn, he continues to live on in the hearts of Bengalis, nourishing their emotions and ushering in the spirit of Durga Puja through his unforgettable voice.

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