Moha Utshab - A traditional festival of Magura
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The local Hindu community recently observed its long-standing tradition of ‘Maha-utshab’ (grand festival) with a two-day programme at Durgapur village in Magura sadar upazila.
Thousands of people and devotees from Magura and adjoining districts flocked to Durgapur to witness ‘jatrapala’, ‘mela’ (fair), ‘kabi gaan’ (light songs in the form of questions and answers between duelling bards), special prayers and distribution of ‘prosad’ (food offered to gods and goddesses).
“I cannot confirm the exact year when the ‘Maha-utshab’ began, but it is an ancient event held annually. The festival is observed with much enthusiasm on the last Tuesday or Saturday of the Bengali month Kartik,” said Ganesh Bala, one of the organisers of the traditional event.
On the first day of the programme (November 10), apart from the ‘mela’, a ‘jatrapala’, titled “Ekti Paisa” (written by Bhairab Banerjee), was staged. The cast included Khitish Chandra Biswas, Sanjit Biswas, Ranjan Biswas, Ramen Biswas, Ritu Biswas, Sabitri, Swapna, Mukti and Jharna.
On the second day, a musical soiree featuring ‘kabi gaan’ was held. A team led by Nishikanta Sarkar from Fakirhat of Bagerhat district and another led by Ashutosh Biswas from Chengardanga village of Magura participated in the event which continued past midnight.
The performance, in the form of questions and counter-questions with answers, went down exceedingly well with the audience, which had turned out in hundreds for the event.
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