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Durga Puja 2026: Leaving families behind, dhakis from East Burdwan travel far for livelihood
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News18•15-10-2026, 15:53
Durga Puja 2026: Leaving families behind, dhakis from East Burdwan travel far for livelihood
- •Around 50 dhakis from Bendua village in Raina-I block of East Burdwan have traveled to other states and districts leaving their families behind during Durga Puja.
- •Driven by livelihood needs, these traditional drummers are playing at various pandals in Bengaluru, other parts of Karnataka, and Kolkata.
- •While they engage in farming, fishing, or driving Totos during the rest of the year, Durga Puja transforms them into artists carrying forward ancestral traditions.
- •Despite the silent pain of staying away from loved ones, they find profound satisfaction in spreading festive joy through the rhythm of the dhak.
- •Even amidst the dominance of modern sound systems, these rural artists remain dedicated to preserving Bengal's rich folk culture and heritage.
Key Questions Answered
During Durga Puja 2026, about 50 dhakis from Bendua village in East Burdwan have traveled to various destinations, including Bengaluru and other areas of Karnataka, as well as different puja pandals in Kolkata.
Throughout the rest of the year, these traditional drummers engage in various alternative livelihoods such as farming, fishing, driving Totos, embroidery, or woodwork until Durga Puja arrives and they take up the dhak.
According to resident Uttam Malik, playing the dhak is much more than a livelihood because it is deeply tied to Bengal's folk culture and the heritage passed down by their ancestors.
