The battle of Durgas

Puja is far from complete if on TV you don't catch the mandatory Mahalaya programmes . In fact, it is as important as its prequel -listening to the rendition of Mahisasura Mardini by Birendra Krishna Bhadra on radio. And like every year, Bengali GECs are going all out to deliver something special to grab those eyeballs. While details of each show are neatly kept under wraps, several popular actresses will be seen getting embroiled in a tug of war between the good and the evil. On the cards is revelling in the ever-growing Stree Shakti and beating the Mahisasura to pulp! Here's a lowdown...

<strong>KOEL MALLICK</strong><br /> <br /> <strong>Where: Zee Bangla</strong><br /> <br /> She is no alien to this avatar. Despite her crazy schedule, Koel Mallick had played Durga on TV. This year too, she is looking forward to the triumph of good over evil.&ldquo;Even as a child, I would wake up at the break of dawn to listen to Birendra Krishna Bhadra&#39;s Chandipath and then catch the special Mahalaya programme on TV. That continues to be the tradition at home,&ldquo; she says. The top-bracket actress, who belongs to the famous Mallick Bari known for its Durga Puja, is looking forward to spending quality time with her family. &ldquo;Every year, Puja gets over before you can bat an eyelid. I love the planning that goes into it. My cousins are coming down and I&#39;m looking forward to our secret catch-up sessions,&ldquo; she says, adding that this episode will be special, as the focus is on &ldquo;Naba Durga and not Mahisasur Mardini.&quot;

<strong>SREENANDA SHANKAR</strong><br /> <br /> <strong>Where: Naktala Udayan Sangha</strong><br /> <br /> No, she isn&#39;t playing Durga on TV. But the Mumbai-based actress has had a wider reach even without it. With her face splashed on hoardings across Kolkata, Sreenanda Shankar is the latest addition to actresses known for their Durga avatar. &ldquo;Since the time I was growing up, I&#39;ve been told how I look like Durga. So, when the offer to star in a Puja campaign came my way, I was happy to oblige,&quot; she says. Puja for her is all about food, friends and fun. &ldquo;I would strive to stay awake to listen to Chandipath as a child. Now, things are different. Though I&#39;ve spent 15 years in Mumbai, this time around, I&#39;ll be in Kolkata to be with my family. On the cards is pandal-hopping like there&#39;s no tomorrow,&quot; she tells us.

<strong>SANDIPTA SEN</strong><br /> <br /> <strong>Where: Star Jalsa</strong><br /> <br /> TV&#39;s popular Durga is back and how! Sandipta Sen, who began her television career by playing the title role in Durga and followed it up with a few other serials, is best known for her first! &ldquo;In 2009 and 2010, I played the goddess in the Mahalaya special programmes. I&#39;m happy to be back as there&#39;s a magical transformation when you wield the trishul,&ldquo; says the actress. Since the channel is focusing on Akalbodhon, Sandipta says she will have something new to offer. &ldquo;There are many interesting looks and I love the daaker saaj,&ldquo; she says. The actress is currently shooting round-the-clock since Puja, she feels, is about all play and no work. &ldquo;I&#39;m leaving with my family and friends for a trip to Meghalaya. Though I&#39;ll miss the beats of dhaak, this Puja will be all about spending a quiet time. I will catch Chandipath on radio though. When I was young, my mother used to wake me up. Now, I, myself, wait eagerly to catch it,&ldquo; she adds.

<strong>PAYEL DE</strong><br /> <br /> <strong>Where: Colors Bangla</strong><br /> <br /> One of the busiest small-screen actresses, Payel De has played Durga both in serials and special programmes. Yet, she is looking forward to get under the divine skin of the goddess one more time. &ldquo;This is for the first time that I&#39;ll be playing Mahisarura Mardini though I had put up dance shows for Mahalaya before. I had also dressed up as the Naba Durga earlier,&ldquo; she says. The actress was nervous about this show and she tells us why. &ldquo;I&#39;m not trained in classical dance and had it not been for Sudarshan Chakravorty, I do not know how it would have been possible. He has choreographed me really well,&ldquo; she says. The busy actress, who hardly finds time for family, will be spending Puja with her husband in Himachal. &ldquo;All my childhood Puja memories are related to my grandpa, who is no more. But I try to spend as much time as possible with my in-laws and parents,&ldquo; she says.