I remember this word from my childhood, from the time I learnt to recall and access my conscious memory.

My grandparents come from Raniganj. Their parents are still a demi-God figure in the township, because they did more for the people after they passed away than they could ever do when they were alive. It is a common fact that Marwaris (of all caste and socio economic status) were quasi nomadic who went to hitherto unknown parts of India, did business and assimilated themselves to the regional culture and religion. My familial lineage is part of that narrative.

I remember hearing the two hour long ‘Mahishasura Mardini’ every morning over the course of 9 days of Navratri. It was and is a ritual that my house follows. Most of the times, I do not understand it. I sometimes don’t even sit back and listen to it carefully. But, whenever I do listen, it fills me with this gush of positive energy and devotion.

I admit, in my childhood I used to listen to a lot of bhajans. As time went by, I saw the absurdity of bhajans and the fact that many of them were based on then popular songs. So I started to detest them. That said, I never seem to get enough of Mahishasura Mardini.

This particular clip that is uploaded here, sings the hymn through which the devotee implores the mother Goddess to wake up.

My father says that; during his childhood, Mahishasura Mardini used to be played on the radio at 4:00 AM, and people used to listen to it. You could listen to it by not even owning a radio, because it would be playing in all the houses of the locality you’re part of. I’m not sure if it happens now.

I feel at peace when I listen to it. I feel like a baby curled up in the lap of Mother. I feel like She’s singing me a lullaby while softly patting my head. I feel young. I feel bliss. There are times I’ve caught myself overwhelmed with emotions and letting a tear or two slide away, as a testimomy to that.

Jaago. Tume Jaago.