View source for Dhaki (drummer)

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=YEAR-WISE DEVELOPMENTS=  
==2023: women dhakis go to Hong Kong, Nigeria==
[https://epaper.indiatimes.com/article-share?article=22_10_2023_017_013_cap_TOI  Sankarprasad Ghosh, Oct 22, 2023: ''The Times of India'']

They are blowing their trumpet in a practice dominated by men. Stepping into an arena that has long been the preserve of their male counterparts, they are now giving competitors a run for their money.

 After whipping up a storm at various Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata and its suburbs in the past decade, a group of women dhakis (drummers) from West Bengal has now made its mark on the world stage. This Puja, these women dhakis have flown to Hong Kong and Nigeria to be a part of the celebrations there.

 This, though, is not the first time they will perform overseas.  Hailing from the Machhalandapur area in North 24 Parganas district, the drummers of ‘Motilal Dhaki Dot Com’ have enthralled audiences in Britain, the US, Canada, Australia and Sri Lanka in the last few years.
 “It’s a thrilling experience for us. Apart from getting an opportunity to travel across the globe, the money we earn from these gigs helps us support our families. We can bring smiles to our children with some goodies and buy something for ourselves without seeking help from our husbands,” said Uma Das, a member of the troupe. Along with four others, Das is performing in Hong Kong this year during the Durga Puja. 

But is the 15-odd kg dhak (drum) a problem for the women to carry on their waist? “Although we did face some difficulties initially, my father-in-law, Gokul Chandra Das, has designed a lighter dhak that weighs about 4kg. We can rest it on our waist and dance while playing the instrument,” Das said.

 Gokul has about 90 women and 150 men in his troupe. This year, apart from travelling overseas, his dhakis will be seen in Bhopal and Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh as well as two cities in Assam.

 “Wherever we go, people greet us with loud cheers when they see the women clad in sari beating the dhaks with equal ease and aplomb,” said Gokul, himself a noted dhaki who has performed at many events around the world.

 Recounting his inspiration for taking the dhak to women, Gokul recalled his 2010 tour to North America as one of the percussionists in Ustad Zakir Hussain’s troupe. “At a music store, I saw a woman showing how to play the saxophone, clarinet and other instruments to customers. Why don’t our women try their hand at our traditional instruments, I thought.  “On returning home, I started teaching the women in my family – my daughter, daughter-in-law, niece and other close relatives – how to beat the dhak. We have now gone from six to 90 women dhakis.”

 Nowadays, at least 100-150 women dhakis based in Bardhaman, Hooghly, Howrah and North 24 Parganas districts of Bengal are performing in various events in Kolkata and other places. Even tribal women have come forward to play the dhak, which is empowering the Durgas in the hinterland. Srinjay Mandal, who runs an event management group, has 35 women and 30 men in his troupe. “The demand for women dhakis has gone up since the lockdown,” Srinjay, based in Howrah’s Domjur, said. His dhakis are travelling to nine places in Odisha and Assam, including Guwahati, Tinsukia and Nagaon during this festive season. 

 But what about the logistics and safety of the women drummers while travelling outside the state or abroad? Generally, said Gokul, the organisers take care of everything right from the visa process, sightseeing and remuneration.  “One male drummer usually accompanies four or five female drummers in a troupe. So, we don’t face problems as such,” Gokul said. Srinjay agreed.

 Gokul, whose troupe shot to fame after showcasing its talents in some of the mega puja pandals in Kolkata, has of late stopped taking part in the city’s festival. “Over the years, the pujas here have been reluctant to raise their budget for dhakis,” he said. Naming a big-ticket organiser, Gokul said, “Ten years ago, they paid us Rs 1.25 lakh but they refuse to increase the amount even after all these years. We are just not interested.” But Gokul has no regrets. “People are inviting us from far-flung locations to take part in the celebrations. As long as we get that love and affection, we are happy,” he said.

[[Category:India|D 
DHAKI (DRUMMER)]]
[[Category:Music|D 
DHAKI (DRUMMER)]]