Different dhol tasha groups gears for the Ganpati festival

The city’s beautiful Ganpati mandals are incomplete without the dhol tasha beats that welcome Bappa. As the most eagerly-anticipated event of the year nears, youngsters from the various dhol-tasha groups in the city are gearing up for the grand festival with gruelling rehearsals that can be heard right in the heart of the city once the evening approaches. Presently, the city has about 250 pathaks in the city with members ranging from 250 to 300. Various pathaks like Naadbrahma, Samartha Pratisthan Dhol Tasa, Ramaanbaug, Yuva Vadya Pathak, Shiv Pratap Vadya Pathak are all set for the festival. Though traditional music is the all time favourite, some of the pathaks are also adding Bollywood music to their repertoire, for eg the Samartha Pratisthan dhol tasha group, which is the oldest group in the city. Last year, they incorporated the Hothon pe aisi baat and Mungla in their performance. Advocate Pratap Pardeshi, who is an advisor of the Dhol Tasha Association of the city says, “This year there will be 5000 mandals in the city. Each mandal has already got in touch with their favourite pathaks, whom they inform in advance what kind of music they would like to be played during the festival. Most of the pathaks play the traditional beats, but some troupes also incorporate the latest Bollywood music or remixes of favourite Marathi numbers.” But other dhol tasha groups prefer to stick to the traditional music. Reveals Vaibhav Wagh, coordinator, Yuva Vadya Pathak, “Like the last couple of years, we will be playing the traditional beats. We believe that the only way to welcome Bappa is by playing the traditional chants and hymns. We have around 30 plus different tunes in our repertoire which will be played by 120 dhols and 40 tashas. These performances will be interspersed with musical skills and drills.” Different pathaks have already been booked for the first, fifth, seventh and final day of the Ganeshotsav. Deepak Gujar,who is the spokesperson of the Shiv Pratap Vadya Pathak says, “We have been booked for the first and last day of the Ganpati festival for the processions. On the other days of the festival we will be performing in the mandals itself. That will be a different kind of performance, unlike the one we do in the processions.” This year, also watch out for the all-girls dhol tasha groups. The girls' teams are all set to give tough competition to their male counterparts. Tanvi Bedekar, coordinator of Ramanbaug dhol tasha group said, "We have more than 120 members this time round and we will accompany various Ganapati mandals for this year's procession." For the safety of the girls, the groups have ensured proper security for them. As a precautionary measure human chains are formed by the group whenever the girls are performing. Every year, around 25 students of the Poona School and Home for the Blind participate in several dhol tasha groups. This year too, a number of students are planning to join the procession.

These troupes volunteer on this occasion are not paid for the performance. “It is about religious sentiments, spirituality and devotion. It is a kind of meditation for these performers. They play for Bappa and ask for his blessings,” reveals Pardesi. But this doesn’t happen to be true when we contacted different dhol tasha troupes in the city. Reveals Vaibhav Wagh, the coordinator Yuva Vadya Pathak, “Yes, we do take money for our performances, only that much which is need for our expenses. The money is used for travelling, food, for godown rent, to hire a ground for practice and so on. We also need money for the maintenance of dhols and tashas which is tad expensive.” Agrees Deepak Gujar, spokesperson, Shiv Pratap Vadya Pathak, “The leather membranes used in dhols are delicate and fragile. Usually during practice sessions or during performances, it is most likely that a membrane breaks which has to be repaired immediately. It costs Rs.3500 to repair it.” But the members of the different dhol tasha groups believe in working for the society. For instance, every year Gujar and the members of his troupe visit orphanage situated between Wadgoan and Sinhgad road to distribute clothes, books and sweets. On the other hand, Wagh under his Vandemataram organization has adopted the Meravane village in Velhe taluka. During Diwali, a feast is organised after Diwali for the postman, MSEB workers, Municipal workers, fire brigade personnel of the city by the organization. “These workers are on duty during the festival and do not have time to visit the pandals or take part in various festivities. It is our way of thanking them for their contributions,” explains Wagh as he signs off.