Shillong: As Durga Puja approaches, ‘dhakis’ from the plains return to Meghalaya, their drums marking the festival’s arrival in the hills.They travel from other parts of the northeast and West Bengal to perform during the celebrations. “The dhakis, who are the most integral part of the pujas, have to be hired from outside as we do not have traditional dhakis in the hills of the northeast region, except in Tripura and Assam,” said a senior member of a city puja committee.The drummers, too, look forward to the festival as an opportunity to earn extra and showcase their skills. Mahadeb Sabdakar, a drummer from Cooch Behar in West Bengal, said: “We are poor and work as daily wage earners or drive rickshaws back home. But Durga Puja and Kali Puja are the only times in the year that give us the scope to make some extra money by playing the dhak in the hills.”Sabdakar and his associates have played at one of Shillong’s puja pandals for nearly three decades. They are among the dhakis and other musicians who travel to the hills each year, playing instruments such as the dhol, kasi and sehnai.Shillong also hosts an annual dhak competition, which has become a major Durga Puja attraction. “Every year, we organise competitions for dhakis from all puja pandals. Imagine what it is like when 100-odd dhakis beat the dhak at the same time in perfect unison,” said Naba Bhattacharjee, president of the Central Puja Committee, the umbrella organisation of Meghalaya’s puja committees.This year’s competition will be held on Maha Navami, Oct 19, at the Rilbong pandal, marking the locality puja’s centenary. Gold, silver and bronze medals, along with cash prizes, await the participants.
