Alipurduar: DJ shove drums up dhaki demand, traditional performers see surge in calls

Dhakis in Alipurduar district are witnessing a surge in demand this Durga Puja, following the state government's announcement restricting the use of DJ sound systems at pandals and during idol immersion processions.

Every year, clubs hire DJ systems for Dashami processions. However, with the state announcing restrictions on their use this year, the traditional dhak players have once again become the preferred choice for many organisers.

In recent years, dhakis (traditional drummers) have struggled to find work during Durga Puja as DJs increasingly dominated the market. This year, however, the situation has changed, bringing hope to the traditional drummers.

In Alipurduar, dhakis across the district are receiving a steady stream of phone calls from clubs seeking their services during the festival.

The district is home to at least 4,000 dhakis, many of whom are experiencing an unusually busy season.

Pushkar Hazra, a dhaki based in the district, said: “This year, we are receiving many more calls from different places to perform during Durga Puja. We have even received offers to play at more than one venue on the same day. But it is really difficult to attend both programmes at the same time.”

In previous years, many traditional drummers from different parts of Alipurduar travelled to Assam and other northeastern states, including Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, where they received lucrative offers during Durga Puja.

This year, they have continued to receive calls from organisers in those states. However, because of their commitments within Alipurduar district, many dhakis are finding it difficult to confirm bookings outside the district.

With more bookings coming in and remuneration rising, traditional drummers of Alipurduar are enjoying a particularly rewarding puja season this year. As demand rose, the rates charged by dhakis have also increased.

For performances from Sasthi to Dashami, a dhaki now charges between ₹13,000 and ₹18,000. For Dashami alone, including the idol immersion procession, the charge for a single dhaki is around ₹3,000, said sources.

"In March, we booked a DJ because it becomes very difficult to find one later, and the rates are usually much higher ahead of the puja. But because of the restrictions, we have cancelled the booking and have hired dhakis and band troupes from outside the district as those in our district are already booked," said the secretary of a Durga Puja committee in Alipurduar town.