Journalism of Courage
City student Devyani Bhingarkar has started a dhol-tasha group that has over 150 members and over 80 per cent are women
During her school days Devyani Bhingarkar loved playing the dhol which was a part of their lejhim class. However,once she joined college,she started missing the beats. As she was looking for an opportunity to join a dhol tasha group,the 19-year-old realised that though there are many independent boys group for dhol tasha,there wasnt a single all women group. Last year,I took the initiative of starting my own group The Samrajya Pratishthan Dhol Taasha Group. I contacted only women including students,professionals and housewives. However,a number of boys too showed interest in joining the group. Now we have over 150 members,with a ratio of 80:20 girls and boys, says the third year student of political science at Fergusson College.
The first meeting of Samrajya Prathisthan was witnessed by fifteen members who promoted their group in schools and colleges across the city to invite more registrations. A registration bench put up at Fergusson College and Ahilyadevi High School received many registrations. However,a Facebook page set up by Bhingarkar was instrumental in getting the maximum numbers on board. We started our practise sessions with 12 dhols and three tashas that we purchased from Yashwantrao Bulabao a music instrument shop. Our visit to the dhol-tasha shop increased alongside our. Presently we have 50 dhols and 15 tashas, she says.
The group is ready to hit the streets during the Ganesh Chaturthi this year with vigorous regular practise sessions. The group meets near Bhide Bridge,Deccan,every evening from 5 to 8 pm for their practise session. Managing 150 people,Bhingarkar says,is not easy. Even though most of the members are adults,they are as difficult to manage as little kids. We stopped practise from February to May due to college examinations and commenced practise on the weekends from June 1. For the last week we have been having daily practise as the chaturthi is getting nearer, ends Bhingarkar.
