Behula (TV series)

Behula was a Bengali television serial which used to air on GEC Star Jalsha.^[1][2]

Plot

The show was adapted from the Hindu mythological story of Manasamangal Kāvya and Behula. The story of Manasamangal begins with the conflict of the merchant Chandradhar or Chand Sadagar with Manasa and ends with Chandradhar becoming an ardent devotee of Manasa. Chandradhar is a worshipper of Shiva, but Manasa hopes that she can win over Chand to her worship. But, far from worshipping her, Chand refuses to even recognize her as a deity. Manasa takes revenge upon Chand by destroying seven of his ships at sea and killing his seven sons. Finally, Behula, the newly-wed wife of Chand's youngest son Lakhindar, makes the goddess bow to her love for her husband through her strength of character, limitless courage and deep devotion. Behula succeeds in bringing Chand's seven sons back to life and rescuing their ships. Then only does Behula return home.Manasamangal is basically the tale of oppressed humanity. Chandradhar and Behula have been portrayed as two strong and determined characters at a time when ordinary human beings were subjugated and humiliated. The epic brings out the caste divisions and the conflicts between Aryans and non-Aryans. The conflict between human beings and the goddess brings out the social discriminations of society, as well as the conflict between Aryans and non-Aryans. Shiva, whom Chand worshipped, was originally not an Aryan god, but over time was elevated to that position. Manasa's victory over Chand suggests the victory of the indigenous or non-Aryan deity over the Aryan god. However, even Manasa is defeated by Behula. The poem thus suggests not only the victory of the non-Aryan deity over the Aryan god, but also the victory of the human spirit over the powerful goddess. Manasamangal is also remarkable for its portrayal of Behula who epitomises the best in Indian womanhood, especially the Bengali woman's devotion to her husband. ^[3]

Cast

• Payel De as Behula
• Arka Majumdar as Lakhindar
• Rimjhim Mitra/Chandrayee Ghosh as Manasha
• Koushik Chakraborty as Chand Sadagar
• Rupanjana Mitra as Sanaka^[4]

Production

The show was produced by Shree Venkatesh Films.It was relaunched again in 2013 on Jalsha Movies along with Bou Kotha Kao.^[5] The show generated a TRP of 13.0 which was a record for Kolkata television.^[6]

References