Drummers and drums take center stage during the festive season.

Bhubaneswar is alive with the sounds of the festive season, and one of the most integral parts of this celebration is the dhak. This unique instrument, resembling a large barrel, is a type of membranophone commonly found in Bengal and Assam. It is played using wooden sticks and can be suspended from the neck, tied to the waist, or placed on the lap or ground. During Durga Puja, the dhak and the skilled musicians known as dhakis, are an essential part of the celebrations in the eastern states.

In the bustling capital city, puja committees often hire dhakis from nearby areas like Puri, Cuttack, and Jagatsinghpur to enhance the festive atmosphere and attract crowds. For these musicians, the festive season is an opportunity to earn some extra income, as they usually rely on odd jobs or daily wage labor to make ends meet. Some of them are also farmers who have their land, which provides a stable source of income. Subrat Kumar Nayak, who comes from Niali in Cuttack, has been coming to Bhubaneswar with his family for the last 15 years to play the dhak. He shares that his ancestors used to play the instrument full-time, but nowadays, they only play it during the festive season. "We are primarily engaged in farming to support our families, but the festive season allows us to earn a decent amount of money. It may be a seasonal occupation, but it helps us make a little extra," says Nayak. Another dhaki, Narendra Nayak from Sailagobindapur, also shares that playing the dhak during Durga Puja has been a tradition in his family for generations. However, the younger generation is not interested in continuing the legacy. He, however, vows to play the instrument until his last breath.

Basant Samal, a sehnai player from Jagatsinghpur, adds that for small artists like them, festivals and ceremonies are the only occasions when they get work and earn a livelihood. "We are often forgotten, except during marriage functions, thread ceremonies, and the festive season," he says. Sachinandan Nayak, the secretary of Saheed Nagar Durga Puja Committee, shares that for dhakis, Durga Puja is not just a festival but an opportunity to share happiness. These skilled musicians come from far-off places, leaving their families behind to perform in different pandals. They eagerly await the festive season with high hopes and expectations.

Being a full-time dhaki is not a stable occupation, and most of them have to find alternative sources of income to support themselves and their families. The festive season also means being away from their loved ones for these musicians, a sacrifice they make every year. While everyone dances to the beat of the dhak, invoking the spirit of Durga Puja, the dhakis silently dedicate themselves to their craft. They are the unsung heroes of this celebration, and their contribution should never be overlooked.

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