London, Get Ready For Durga Puja!

It is that time of the year when the only music our ears and hearts want to listen is the sound of 'Dhaak'. Like all of you, we too are anticipating the biggest and grandest festival of Bengal, Durga Puja. Already countless 'dhaakis' can be seen lining up outside several railway stations play dhaak in hope of getting hired by different Durga Puja organizers. Over the years we have only seen males play this festive drum, but with time things have changed and now women are also taking interest in it. A resident of West Bengal's North 24 Paragana's Maslandapur, Gokul Chandra Das started a group of his own comprising of female members only. His group started out with just six women dhaakis and now they have 60. A website called Motilal.Dhaaki.com has also been created by Das. This year they will be showcasing their passion and talent internationally. Songita Das, Puja Biswas, and Uma Das of this all-women dhaaki group will be flying off to London this Durga Puja. They may also go to Tanzania if they get a visa. Gokul Chandra is one of the most famous dhaakis of West Bengal. He used to teach the female members of his family. Today, his troupe travels the world to showcase their talent. The puja organizers will ensure Rs 2 lakh for the troupe to go to London. It is indeed a proud moment for all of us including Gokul Chandra and his troupe. Proud ladies of the band said that they practice at Gokul Chandra's house for an hour every evening.