Nasik Dhol

Keeping in tune with the current flavour of the week, the most oft heard sound (or noise?) is going to be the rattle and din of the drum. The Ganpati processions employ these drum wallas who are supposed to keep the drums banging for as long as the procession lasts. This happens both while bringing the God in and also during visarjan. This is popularly known as the Nasik Dhol (maybe the original drum beaters hailed from there).

Now this drum banging is lucarative and serious hard work. Practice sessions start months before. Ive seen groups of lads bashing thier drums non-stop at remote street corners in Mankhurd and Chembur/Ghatkopar. Try beating a drum non stop for 10 hours in the hot humid sun - your sweat will fill up a swimming pool. Stamina is the word. And this comes from relentless practice.

These drum-boys have to respond to their employers. For example when Ganesh processions pass a mosque the boys are urged to play a mean and loud beat. The procession also halts for considerably longer at these spots. More a case for rubbing it into the rival community. (On a retaliatory note the same tactic is used by the rivals during Tajia and Moharuum processions).

Nasik Dhol also covers the electrical Bul-Bul and the more recent electronic Casio/Yamaha. Its gives you a complete package. The rates depend on the route, the time and the type of din you need.

Drum beating means blistered hands and feet. And gallons of sweat. It is hard work.