The legal restriction on playing loud music during the Gajalakshmi Puja celebrations brought the traditional drummers back in business here. Once again, the role of drum gained importance though the traditional percussion instrument had gone into oblivion due to the advent of electronic music players.
DJ boxes, record players and amplifier boxes were in wider use in last one decade or so. But now with music sound having been limited to 65 decibels in immersion ceremony, the restriction has come as a great help in reviving the drums. The traditional drums, especially from western Odisha, have become the first choice of the organisers of every puja mandap during the immersion procession here.
According to one brass band parties, they were facing tough competition from traditional drum beaters because of court restrictions limiting sound levels .The band parties had procured amplifiers before the imposition of legal restrictions on sound limits.
Traditional drummer said playing the dholkis and drums is still a part time profession, but it is now in great demand, thanks to the court direction restricting noise levels.”We are now getting enough orders for performance during puja immersion,” said a dholki party owner of Sonepur.
The party had been invited to perform at Kandarasura puja committee. The services of traditional drum-beaters were much sought during the Dussehra and lakshmi Puja festivities and the immersion ceremonies. Dholki, Mahuri, Mridanga and Madala are now the first choice of the puja organisers .
“Drum beaters are dexterous in their inimitable style. For the observers, it is a visual treat,” said Dinabandhu Sahu, a member of Surya Sagarika puja committee.
Rabi Murmu, head of a traditional drum-beating group of Balangir, said their performances used to be limited to periodic religious functions in villages. But now, they are invited whenever an immersion procession is organised.