What makes Ganesh Chaturthi unique and distinct from other festivals round the year is the emphasis on storytelling and the mild fear it induces of glimpsing the moon without first listening to Ganesha’s story earlier in the day. This time around, for those who aren’t home or miss listening to the story at home, music apps are stepping in to help you out.
Fondly recollecting the only time I wasn’t home for the festive season, I had to find an alternative to this routine. This prospect made me miss home just that little bit less and helped provide something authentic within my limited access. Though cassettes, CDs, Youtube videos have always been around to help with the same, the idea of a hassle-free hearing on music app-like Saavn, Wynk or their counterparts ensures novelty while approaching age-old tradition.
There’s always a new perspective that the story presents with respect to the person narrating it, the mythical subtext open to multiple interpretations help the storytelling. The story is also about how it’s told as much as what it’s all about. It’s a much loved ritual that the eldest person in the family or or the priest makes it a point to gather everyone in the house to listen to it at home or at the community/apartment gathering.
The music apps come with the entire vratha sankalpam and content that helps one complete the rituals. Available in languages like Telugu, Tamil and Kannada, some of the familiar names who guide you through the puja include prominent names like P Susheela, S S Raghavan Shastri and Kasinath.
Popular picks
* P Susheela and Sri Hari Achuta Rama Sastry
* S S Raghavan Shastri
* J. Purushotam Sai
* Kasinath