Midnapore, 8 October (HS): With restrictions on DJs and high-volume microphones during Puja celebrations in West Bengal, demand for traditional dhak has increased. Dhak musicians and musical instrument sellers in East and West Midnapore districts are expecting better business this year, as several Puja committees are opting for traditional instruments instead of DJs.

Mahishda, Kakhda, Bamanara and several other villages in the Shahid Matangini block of East Midnapore are home to a large number of dhak musicians. Preparations are in full swing in these villages ahead of the Puja. While some musicians are repairing their dhaks, others are tightening the drum skins and tuning the instruments.

According to the musicians, they are receiving higher advance payments compared to previous years.

Swaroop Dulai, a dhak musician from Mahishda village, said demand for dhak and band parties has increased this year. He attributed the rise possibly to restrictions on DJs, which have encouraged people to turn towards traditional musical instruments. He said bookings have increased to such an extent that many requests cannot be accepted due to a shortage of musicians.

Kinkar Singh, a dhak musician from West Midnapore, told Hindusthan Samachar during a Puja programme on Thursday morning that the growing popularity of DJs had affected the traditional atmosphere of Puja celebrations as well as the livelihood of dhak musicians. He said Puja committees were now turning back to dhak following restrictions on DJs, which was providing more work for musicians and helping sustain the traditional practice.

According to the musicians, bookings are coming not only from East Midnapore but also from other districts and states. Apart from Kolkata, Kharagpur, Tata and Jamshedpur, bookings have also been received from Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Several musicians from the villages are preparing to travel to other states during the Puja season.

Atul Palui, a dhak musician from Midnapore, said preparations had intensified with the rise in bookings. With the rainy season over and Puja approaching, musicians are checking the drum skins, bindings and other equipment to ensure that there are no problems during the celebrations.

Sudip, a musical instrument seller at Sur Sangam in Jhargram, said dhak has traditionally been used during Puja celebrations in forest areas. However, the growing popularity of DJs in recent years had affected the business of dhak and other traditional instruments. This year, he said, the situation was better, with increased interest in traditional musical instruments.

Despite the rise in demand, the limited number of musicians is creating difficulties for several Puja committees. While dhak musicians and band parties were earlier readily available locally, some committees are now having to contact groups outside the district.

Rajib Sen, secretary of the Narayangarh Sarbojanin Puja Committee, said dhak musicians are booked every year for the Puja. This year, however, a local group was not available, prompting the committee to contact a team from Jhargram.

Hindusthan Samachar / Santosh Madhup