Folk musicians enthralled a gathering with traditional beats at a programme organised on Dhol Sagar- the repository of traditional folk drumming in Uttarakhand. Noted folk artistes and scholars from India and abroad were among those present at the event organised at Odda village in Kot block of the district.
Eight teams of two players each of the traditional drums- dhol and damau presented their skills on the occasion. Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology at Cincinnati University, Stefan Fiol- who is known as Fulli Das in Garhwal was also present on the occasion along with noted folk singers Narendra Singh Negi and Pritam Bhartwan. Over a period of 10 years Fiol was attracted to the culture of Uttarakhand and learned to play the folk drums for more than two years from Sohan Das and Shukaru Das. Conducting dhol classes in the Cincinnati University since 2011, Fiol has trained more than 40 students in playing the dhol- damau.
Speaking to the media, Fiol aka Fulli Das said that the culture of Garhwal and Kumaon is very rich and needs promotion. Regarding his experience of teaching Uttarakhand’s folk music in an America university, he said that the melody and rhythm of the folk music had sparked a tremendous response among the American audiences.
Dhirendra Singh Rawat, the owner of Delhi based Rawat Builders Private limited and the sponsor of the seminar on Dhol Damau was inspired by the efforts of Fiol and organised the Dhol Sagar programme first in 2011 and then again this year to keep the folk music alive in Uttarakhand. Stating that the condition of traditional folk is deteriorating consistently, Rawat said that a training centre will be established and measures will be taken to encourage and help improve the economic condition of folk musicians.