The first beat of the dhak often signals that Durga Puja is near. Its deep, rhythmic sound reverberates through pandals, draws devotees into the celebrations and lends the festival its unmistakable energy.
But behind the familiar beats are the dhakias, traditional drummers who travel from West Bengal to cities such as Guwahati every year, carrying with them a musical tradition passed down through generations.
For many of these drummers, playing the dhak is more than a seasonal occupation. It is a family legacy, a skill honed over years and a livelihood shaped by the rhythms of the festive calendar.
Mangal Das, who hails from West Bengal, has been playing the dhak for around 20 to 22 years and travels to Assam every year during the festive season.
He sees the profession as a tradition that continues to find takers among younger generations. “This profession runs in our family, and the upcoming generation is also taking it up,” he said.
While Durga Puja remains a crucial period for dhakias, their work extends beyond the festival.
Das said they also perform at weddings and take up commercial assignments to supplement their earnings. The group recently performed for an advertisement for Airtel.
“Our income is satisfactory, as we also get advertising contracts. Apart from Durga Puja, we play at weddings as well,” he said.
A dhaki plays the traditional dhak beside Goddess Durga, filling the pandal with the rhythmic beats that define the spirit of Durga Puja (Representational Image / Pexels)
For Karthik Das, a dhakia from Dhupguri in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district, the profession offers both the satisfaction of preserving a tradition and the uncertainty of an irregular income.
Having spent around two decades playing the instrument, he, too, travels to Assam every year, arranging his accommodation independently during the festive season.
The demand for performances, however, is not consistent throughout the year. While the festival season brings opportunities, the months that follow can be lean, making it difficult to maintain a steady income.
“Income is irregular. We get work for about six months, while the other six months are dull,” he said.
During these quieter months, Karthik turns to another skill connected to his craft, making dhaks.
Instrument-making allows him to remain engaged with the tradition even when performance opportunities are scarce.
Dhakis, traditional Bengali drummers, display their skills as they arrive at Sealdah railway station from rural areas (Photo: PTI)
For the dhakias, therefore, Durga Puja is both a celebration and a vital source of livelihood.
Their performances may last only a few minutes, but each beat carries years of practice, the effort of travelling away from home and the work of sustaining a traditional art.
As devotees gather before the goddess amid illuminated pandals, elaborate decorations and rituals, the drummers provide a soundtrack that is inseparable from the festival’s atmosphere.
When the final beats fade and the pandals fall silent, the dhakias return to the quieter months of their profession, preparing their instruments and waiting for the next season. Then, once again, the sound of the dhak will announce the goddess’s arrival.