Dhakis have become an identity of the Durga Puja. Once one sees the dhakis in the city, one can feel that the Durga Puja is here.Thousands of dhakis have arrived in the State capital from various villages of neighbouring West Bengal, putting up a grand show at Puja pandals across the city.
“Our devotion towards Maa Durga and desire of earning some money brings us to the city every year in the Durga Puja. I have been coming to Ranchi for the last 20 years and have always received love and respect from the Puja Committees and the people,” said Nimay Kalanay, a dhaki (drummer) from Bankura, West Bengal.
These dhakis not only add the Bangla flavour to the puja but also draw the devotees to dance on the beats of this traditional instrument (Dhak) as its beats can only be heard once in a year, during this mega event.“Dhak is something I look forward to see every year in Durga Puja as I feel that delightful beats of the dhak brings us close to Maa Durga and our feet automatically start moving on its beats,” said Priya Dey, a devotee.
Musicians from every corner of Bengal eg: Madinipur, Bankura, Jhalda and Durgapur have kept this form of art alive from decades and are passing it on to the next generation as according to them playing the dhak give them joy and earn them a livelihood too. “We have been carrying this art form for the last three generations and are trying to pass it on to our children. In the off season we work as farmers in our village to earn bread and butter for our family,” said Ajay Vaidyakar, a dhaki from Durgapur, West Bengal.
On the question of the impact of inflation on their profession they echoed in the same voice that we have no other option than increasing our rates and the committees are also well aware regarding the inflation issue.Not only the beats of these Dhaks attract the people but the way these Dhaks are decorated draw the attention of the devotees too. Almost Rs 3000 goes behind making a single dhak including its decoration.
Badal Pal, a dhaki said, “These dhaks are made at Hariharpur village in Bengal and are carried in a specific way. We carry it on our left shoulder so that we can play it easily with the help of Kathis (sticks) in coordination with the beat of Kaisi (hand bell).” This traditional instrument is ready to make the devotees dance on their feet putting a great echo of sound in the pandals.