TV Show Review | Jai Jag Janani Maa Durga: It feels Gods descend into our living room; Rated 3.5 Stars

It is a time when religious fervour is at its peak. The mythological shows which were popular in the early 80’s and 90’s have made a comeback and there is no doubt that this genre is in demand once again . Different channels are airing mythological serials much to the excitement of viewers who are being entertained and informed through such shows and now have a handful to choose from. Adding to the Ramayan series on Zee,  Jai Jai Jai Bajrangbali on Sahara One and Mahadev on Life OK which already enthrall audiences and are known to have a significant viewership comes a new show from Colors. It chronicles the legend of powerful Goddess Durga and is titled ‘Jai Jag Janani Maa Durga’. Post ‘Jai Shri Krishna’ there was a lull in the mythological genre on Colors but now the channel is back with their new offering to thrill audiences once again.  The channel  presents its first ever women –centric mythology series which encapsulates the untold tales of Maa Durga from the time of her birth and aspects of her life that have never been seen before on the small screen. It describes the Avatar of Durga as a young girl, who is a manifestation of Maa Durga, to an equally powerful woman who protects innocent victims against evil forces. 

“Jai Jag Janani Maa Durga” was aired on COLORS on Monday, December 17, 2012 at 7.00 pm. The opening scene depicts the rishis heralding the great sage Ved Vyasa in the Himalayas. He is well known for writing the Mahabharata and Devi Bhagvatam. After finishing the huge task of writing the chronicles of Maa Durga in the book Devi Bhagvatam, he hands over the entire epic to Soojith, another great sage of his time. It now becomes Sage Soojith’s responsibility to narrate the story of Maa Durga and her glory to the chosen wise rishis and munis. Thus begins the grand narration of Maa Durga's Mahima by Sage Soojith. The goddess is exalted in all her glory to the accompaniment of music and dance by him and her devoted followers. He explains how the planet earth had deteriorated, when values were compromised, floods, fire and earthquakes had engulfed the planet and that is when Goddess Durga manifested on earth to save mankind.

She  represents the power of the Supreme Being that preserves moral order and righteousness in the creation. Durga, also called Divine Mother, protects mankind from evil and misery by destroying evil forces such as selfishness, jealousy, prejudice, hatred, anger, and ego. She is also known as Parvati, Ambika, and Kali .

For the first time on television viewers saw how Maa Durga’s different avatars   Mahishasurmardini, Gouri, Chamunda, Bhabani or Kali Durga. From her many hands emerge her shaktis - the 9 navdurgas, the 8 matrikas and the 10 mahavidyas. She then creates the three Maha devis Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati and MahaKali and the three Mahadevs – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

As children folklores have always been a part of growing up and Durga is one deity that is revered in most Indian households. This philosophy encourages cohesive viewing. The serial brings to the viewer the tale of her strength, perseverance and will power.  The show is produced by mytho maestros Prem and Shiv Sagar from the Sagar Group which first rose to fame for their popular show of the 1980’s viz. Ramayan. They are known to remove the 'myth" from mythological shows and bring to life the characters that we have grown up revering.

The graphics and special effects which are core to a show of such a genre is commendable  and the latest technology available has helped to make it even better. . It is evident that the concept of showing larger than life was kept in mind while designing the sets hence we see the grandeur of the sets. Research has helped to give an authentic  look to every scene . Also worth mentioning is the opening scene where we see Rishi Ved Vyasa’s  beautiful Himalayan ashram is depicted amidst the snow clad mountains.

The goddess has been portrayed in all her grandeur and splendour. The costumes too befit the setting of the times through which we journey right through the show.

The target audience would be the young and old alike but definitely children and women with most of the men folk out of the house at that particular time given the fact that the show is being aired in the 7.00 pm slot.

The impressive background and musical score too added to the grandeur of the serial.

The attractive and doe eyed Bengali actress Piyali Munsi who plays the main role of Maa Durga fits the bill . The other actors in the serial include Ashnoor Kaur, Vikram Virk, Amit Pachori and Daya Shankar Pandey.

The show was definitely amazing and a treat for the viewers. It actually seemed as if the gods & goddess did descend into our living rooms  that particular evening!

Adgully gives Jai Jag Janani Maa Durga a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.