Journalism of Courage
The biggest festival for the Bengalis, the Durga Puja is here. Celebrated every year in the month of September/ October, it is widely celebrated not only in India but by the community living around the world. However, the epicentre of bonanza is Kolkata. People across the globe visit the Bengal capital during the five-day festival to witness the extravaganze and grandness of the celebrations. Though the festival officially kicks off on September 26, this year, people have begun pandal hopping and enjoying the gala. And as they say, Durga Puja is incomplete without Dhak. (Source: Express photo by Partha Paul)
Dhak, the traditional drums are one of the key elements of the festival. During the festival, the drums are played to please the Goddess and people dance to its beats. With just two days left for the main festivity to begin, groups of Dhakis (drummers) arrive in Kolkata. (Source: Express photo by Partha Paul)
Men dressed in bright kurta and starched dhotis arrive at Sealdah station from various districts of Bengal ahead of the festival. Organisers of many pujas flock the station on the day to book the dhakis and decide a rate for the five-day ritual. (Source: Express photo by Partha Paul)
Not just in Kolkata, these Dhakis also go to neighbouring states to play the drums during the Durga Puja. On Chaturthi, this group of drummers arrived in Kolkata from Murshidabad district. The group of four will be travelling to Jharkhand to play the drums for the next few days. (Source: Express photo by Partha Paul)
These men wait for the entire year to earn some extra cash during this time of the year. (Source: Express photo by Partha Paul)
In a hope to get best bidders, they flaunt their skill outside the station every year. (Source: Express photo by Partha Paul)
While a few groups have specified pandals where they play every year, others come to the city in hope to make good money by staying away from their families during the festive season. (Source: Express photo by Partha Paul)
As the festival is about to begin, the city will again dance to to beats of Dhak with Dhunochi in hands! (Source: Express photo by Partha Paul)
