Who is Birendra Krishna Bhadra and why do Bengalis worldwide remember him on Mahalaya?

All across the world, Birendra Krishna Bhadra is synonymous with Mahalaya as the acclaimed radio broadcaster is celebrated ever since, especially on this day.

In every Bengali household, probashi or otherwise, Mahalaya begins early morning, at around 4am. The women as well as the men, especially elders and the children, are wide awake in the wee hours unlike other days, revelling in the joy of Maa Durga’s arrival as the legendary Mahishasura Mardini narrated by Birendra Krishna Bhadra plays on the radio.

Mahalaya, which marks the beginning of Devi Paksha and the end of Pitri Paksha, is absolutely incomplete without the Mahishasura Mardini rendition early morning. For Bengalis, at the very least, the essence of Mahalaya lies in Birendra Krishna Bhadra’s baritone voice as he recites the slokas. All across the world, Birendra Krishna Bhadra is synonymous with Mahalaya as the acclaimed radio broadcaster is celebrated ever since, especially on this day.