MUMBAI: An interesting offshoot of the ban on DJs this Ganeshotsav has been the spurt in demand for drummers who play the traditional dhol tasha instruments . These pathaks (troupes) now command a higher price, work more days and longer hours, and fan out across multiple venues on the final day of Anant Chaturdashi Even in this there are gradations. The Nashik dhol is smaller than the Puneri kind. Large troupes that play the Puneri dhol have 25-50 members at each venue, and are sought after because they wear smart white churidar kurta with orange jackets, phetas (turbans) and traditional shoes. They demand anywhere between Rs 20,000-50,000 for one to two hours. Premium teams include professionals like doctors, lawyers and corporate professionals who are not in this for the money.By contrast, the smaller, louder Nashik dhol is a country cousin. Boys who wear T-shirts and hang dhols around their necks usually play this one as they walk barefoot. They work in small groups of six to ten and each of them earns Rs 2,000, up from Rs 1,000-1,500 two years ago. Large mandals and well-to-do households prefer the first.Sena leader Jaywant Parab of Andheri is celebrating the golden jubilee of his Andhericha Mahaganpati with a grand visarjan Sunday. "We have engaged Nadbrahma, a leading Puneri dhol band from Pune, who will bring 70-80 drummers for our procession. We are paying Rs 50,000 per hour, or Rs 2 lakh for four hours. A local banjo band named Swastik will play for two hours separately."State government and high court strictures against noise pollution have not yet been enforced against traditional instruments so each household and mandal seeks their services. Prasad Parkar, who runs Morya dhol troupe, says, "The ban on DJs has increased demand for Puneri dhol, no doubt. We have 150-180 artistes aged six to 55, of which 40 are women. You will not see women in Nashik dhol troupes. Our troupe is like a local train. It has advocates and students of engineering, as well as daily wagers, carpenters and electricians. And not just Maharashtrians. There are Punjabis, Gujaratis and a Muslim."The growing profile of dhol pathaks resembles that of Ganesh pandals themselves. Some are patronised by local politicians, many even do charity as part of their self-declared CSR activity.A pathak named Srujan in Borivli will wear helmets while playing in Govind Nagar to drive awareness about road safety, says its leader Prasad Pimpale.Another team Srujan has businessmen and professionals on its rolls, including 40 women aged six to 57. Owner Adwait Chavan says they are driven by the need to safeguard and perpetuate Indian culture. "Even the amount of 30,000 or Rs 50,000 we earn goes towards booking halls for year round practice and repairing the paan (leather skin) of the dhol. Each paan costs Rs 650," he says. Chavan credits BJP minister Vinod Tawde for patronage in Borivli.Parkar's Morya team meanwhile rehearses in an area near the Vikhroli mangroves. "I love the Puneri dhol but even I would resent it being played under my house each weekend," he laughs.

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