Durga Puja
The is my fourth Toastmasters speech. The focus was on body movements (BM) and hand gestures (HG). I had chosen Durga Puja as the script itself offered places to demonstrate HG & BM aptly. Also its a tribute to Maa Durga whom I had revered since childhood.
Come September, as the dark rain clouds retreat back to give way to the blue skies and feathery clouds (HG), the fragrance of the shiuli flowers and swaying of kash flowers (HG) – the stage is all set to welcome the Mother Goddess to her home.
Ya devi sarvabhuteshu,
Vishnu mayeti shabdita,
Namastastyai Namastastyai
Namastastyai namo namaha
Good evening Ladies & Gentlemen, fellow Toastmasters, distinguished guests and friends. I guess, you have already guessed the topic of my speech “Durga Puja in Bengal”.
Legend goes that Mahisasura – the demon King had prayed (HG) hard to Lord Shiva for years and in the end he granted his a boon (HG) to be Immortal. Knowing that no mortal can ever kill him, the proud and haughty king started his reign of terror killing people (HG) and conquering land. He even drove out the Gods (HG) and became the King (HG) of Heaven, Earth and Hell.
Gods with fear and trepidation (HG) in their hearts went to Lord Shiva. Enraged!! The Lords anger came out in the form of energy from his third eye and concentrated to form a woman (HG). Beautiful as she was, the devi inherited the divine powers (HG) of all the Gods, symbolic of her 10 hands (HG) and went about to kill the Immortal Demon.
In the battle that ensured, the world quaked and shuddered (BM), thousands of rakshashas got killed and the Devi put the trishul, given to her by Lord Krishna into the Demon’s heart.
Artisans all over Bengal have started the work of making idols long before. Bamboo sticks are cut (HG) in various sizes and form the skeletal structure of the idol. The figure is imparted shape with straw tied with jute strings. Then several coats of clay and finally painted and decorated.
Just before Shasti, the idols are put inside the mandapas. The idols of the Goddess often higher (HG) than first floor of any building – are a colossal statue to behold. On the bottom is the hacked (HG) buffalo from which has emerged the demon king. Pouncing (BM) on him is the mighty lion. Atop the lion is the Goddess in all her grandeur. On her left is Devi Saraswati (goddess of Knowledge) with her veena (HG) and graceful swan. Further left is the handsome prince God Karthika with his proud peacock and bow (HG) and arrow. To the right of Durga is the beautiful Lakshmi and her owl. To the right-most side is the Lord Ganesha and his rat.
The festivities start with people in their best dresses going from mandapa to mandapa in prayer. Mandapas, usually a replica of some big mansion sometimes are built in the likes of White Houes or the Tiripati Temple. The city is decorated with lights covering important themes of the current year.
Durga puja is incomplete without the drumbeats. The dhakis with their drums on their shoulders (BM & HG), the left hand on top and the right hand below beat along. They start on a low beat, then it gets louder and louder, and then it reaches a crescendo and then it falls and rises again.
On the final day, Dashami – men perform the famous dhuno nach. With incense kept in 2 pots on their hand, the males dance to the rhythm of drum-beats. Friends, brothers, sisters, distant relatives overcome their differences and come together. People and children from all communities take part in the festivities. But as the last hours comes by, a sudden sadness engulfs everyone.
The four days of revelry suddenly comes to an end. The big lighted pandals that had laughed and shrieked with hundreds of human beings is engulfed in darkness with probably a lamp to glow. The city’s horizon once again loses its light and luster. As men go about in their daily meal hunting, they await for another year. Till that time … Mr Toastmaster.
Come September, as the dark rain clouds retreat back to give way to the blue skies and feathery clouds (HG), the fragrance of the shiuli flowers and swaying of kash flowers (HG) – the stage is all set to welcome the Mother Goddess to her home.
Ya devi sarvabhuteshu,
Vishnu mayeti shabdita,
Namastastyai Namastastyai
Namastastyai namo namaha
Good evening Ladies & Gentlemen, fellow Toastmasters, distinguished guests and friends. I guess, you have already guessed the topic of my speech “Durga Puja in Bengal”.
Legend goes that Mahisasura – the demon King had prayed (HG) hard to Lord Shiva for years and in the end he granted his a boon (HG) to be Immortal. Knowing that no mortal can ever kill him, the proud and haughty king started his reign of terror killing people (HG) and conquering land. He even drove out the Gods (HG) and became the King (HG) of Heaven, Earth and Hell.
Gods with fear and trepidation (HG) in their hearts went to Lord Shiva. Enraged!! The Lords anger came out in the form of energy from his third eye and concentrated to form a woman (HG). Beautiful as she was, the devi inherited the divine powers (HG) of all the Gods, symbolic of her 10 hands (HG) and went about to kill the Immortal Demon.
In the battle that ensured, the world quaked and shuddered (BM), thousands of rakshashas got killed and the Devi put the trishul, given to her by Lord Krishna into the Demon’s heart.
Artisans all over Bengal have started the work of making idols long before. Bamboo sticks are cut (HG) in various sizes and form the skeletal structure of the idol. The figure is imparted shape with straw tied with jute strings. Then several coats of clay and finally painted and decorated.
Just before Shasti, the idols are put inside the mandapas. The idols of the Goddess often higher (HG) than first floor of any building – are a colossal statue to behold. On the bottom is the hacked (HG) buffalo from which has emerged the demon king. Pouncing (BM) on him is the mighty lion. Atop the lion is the Goddess in all her grandeur. On her left is Devi Saraswati (goddess of Knowledge) with her veena (HG) and graceful swan. Further left is the handsome prince God Karthika with his proud peacock and bow (HG) and arrow. To the right of Durga is the beautiful Lakshmi and her owl. To the right-most side is the Lord Ganesha and his rat.
The festivities start with people in their best dresses going from mandapa to mandapa in prayer. Mandapas, usually a replica of some big mansion sometimes are built in the likes of White Houes or the Tiripati Temple. The city is decorated with lights covering important themes of the current year.
Durga puja is incomplete without the drumbeats. The dhakis with their drums on their shoulders (BM & HG), the left hand on top and the right hand below beat along. They start on a low beat, then it gets louder and louder, and then it reaches a crescendo and then it falls and rises again.
On the final day, Dashami – men perform the famous dhuno nach. With incense kept in 2 pots on their hand, the males dance to the rhythm of drum-beats. Friends, brothers, sisters, distant relatives overcome their differences and come together. People and children from all communities take part in the festivities. But as the last hours comes by, a sudden sadness engulfs everyone.
The four days of revelry suddenly comes to an end. The big lighted pandals that had laughed and shrieked with hundreds of human beings is engulfed in darkness with probably a lamp to glow. The city’s horizon once again loses its light and luster. As men go about in their daily meal hunting, they await for another year. Till that time … Mr Toastmaster.
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