Beats of Change

“Be it academics or extra curricular activities,girls who fair well always get recognition. We thought of introducing and implementing something which would give a chance to every student to display her talent,” says Savita Kajarekar,the principal of Renuka Swaroop Memorial Girls High School and Junior College. Dhol tasha practice was introduced in the school four years back. “There was an overwhelming response for the same. Later,we introduced lezim and jhanjhani,” says Sagar Walke,the coordinator of the team of 250 odd girls. “The challenge was to continue with the practice. Once we had enough students,we tried experimenting with more exclusive things like the mardani khel,” adds Walke who is also an Economics and Accounts teacher in the school.

The introduction of dhol tasha was not only to create music but also to enhance other qualities of the students which would lead to their overall development. “Our main aim was developing the students’ personality. Regular practice also increases stamina,leadership qualities and team spirit,” adds Walke.

“The entire dhol tasha activity is very male-dominated. It is a great achievement on our part to have continued with it,” says Kajarekar who feels that such a unique extra-curricular activity is very appealing to young girls. “Parents often give the excuse of studies for not sending their daughters for practice. But I make sure that they prove themselves in both fields,” she adds.

The mardani khel was started earlier this year with a 10-day workshop conducted by Suraj Dholi of Shri Shambhu Raje Mardani Khel Vikas Manch,Kolhapur. Since then,the students have been mastering the art of using swords and spears. Saili Kulkarni,a student of Std XII,is quite a regular at the mardani khel practices. “I am not scared of eve-teasers anymore,” adds Saili who often hurts herself while performing with the swords,dandpattas,lathi-kathis and the bhalas. Renuka Virohi,a Std IX student,shares,“We want to be remembered for our courage. The Rani of Jhansi,with her warrior skills,is our inspiration.” Both Saili and Renuka aim to learn more from the institute in Kolhapur after completing their junior college.

“Earlier the enrolment was only restricted to girls from our own school. However,I started getting calls from parents who wanted to enroll their daughters in our pathak as it is the only all-girls pathak in the city,” says Kajarekar who has also taken the initiative of talking to parents who consider dhol-tasha to be male-dominated. “People think that it is difficult for girls to tie a 23-inch dhol on their waist and play it for three hours at a stretch. When we wear the required attitude while playing,their jaws drop. This makes us very proud,” says Saili Shrishrimal,an ex-student of the school. “Earlier,my brother would tease me for being delicate. Now,he is proud of me,” smiles Ruksana Salim Syed,a Std IX student.