An important element in the celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi is the music performed by drum bands and brass bands.
Idols that are being paraded around, on carts and cars, are accompanied and proceeded by dhol tasha troupes.
Groups of men, though nowadays also girls are seen, dressed in similar outfits, playing (and dancing to) very loud and rhythmical music.
I was fortunate to see several bands during the ten days of Ganesh Chaturthi.
This article gives a lively impression of what the music bands are like on the last day (immersion day).
Here are some pictures of the bands I saw and heard:
Idols that are being paraded around, on carts and cars, are accompanied and proceeded by dhol tasha troupes.
Groups of men, though nowadays also girls are seen, dressed in similar outfits, playing (and dancing to) very loud and rhythmical music.
I was fortunate to see several bands during the ten days of Ganesh Chaturthi.
This article gives a lively impression of what the music bands are like on the last day (immersion day).
Here are some pictures of the bands I saw and heard:
|
| Announcement billboard in the days before Ganesh. |
|
| Lots of shops selling the necessary instruments. |
|
| People walking around with drumheads, like the two men in the left of the picture. |
|
| Cymbals for sale. |
And there we have our first dhol tasha group!
As you can see, behind them is the chariot with the Ganesh idol.
How do these bands sound? I made a small recording from one of the other bands I heard and saw, so listen for yourself:
|
| On a break;-) |
This band was huge!!!
|
| The rhythmic pushing high of the stick is one of the elements of the performance. |
|
| There are solo’s for the various instruments. |
|
| It must be so heavy to carry around and play these giant instruments for hours, often in the heat! |
A very different kind of group in all aspects; outfit, color (no orange, yellow or red) and the used instruments and dancing.
And when it’s all over, it’s easiest to ROLL your drum back to the truck;-)
|
| In this group girls were involved. There was a lot of strong and positive girl power present in this year’s Ganesh Chaturthi in Pune, I must say! |
|
| Or you carry your drum back on your back;-) |
Here are some newspaper clippings about the bands:
|
| There seemed to be quite a lot of attention for the participation of handicapped children. |
|
| Tourists enjoying the celebrations are a popular topic for a picture. Frits and I were interviewed in the streets for a documentary on Ganesh Chaturthi;-). |
|
| I love these festive, folded hats. Unfortunately I did not get a clear picture of them at all. |
In the meantime, in realtime, Ganesh Chaturthi 2012 has ended. But my report has not ended yet. I have more pictures to show you, so I hope you come back tomorrow for more!
Leave a Reply