Rains stop drummers from turning up for dhol-damau, world record missed

The incessant rain for the past two days across the state hindering about 500 artists to arrive at the four day ‘dhol-dhamau’ artists workshop in Prem Nagar ashram has brought major disappointment on their faces eyeing the Guinness Book to create a world record of maximum drum artists ensemble playing the instrument at one place.

The world record of largest congregation of drum artists at one point of time stands with artists of Kolhapur, Maharashtra at 1356 held at Shivaji University ground.

Folk singer and coordinator of dhol-damau workshop, Preetam Bharatwan said that since 1050 drummers turned up on Tuesday which was the last day for registration, the world record was missed just by 300. “Heavy rain in Garhwal and Kumaon hindered the arrival of folk drum artists from rural areas, particularly from Pitthoragarh, Chamoli, Uttarakashi, Rudraprayag, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Almora, Nainital and Bageshwar.160 folk drum artists failed to reach from Kumaon due to the blocked roads and 150 from Garhwal division. Nevertheless,we are excited about the prospect of thousand odd dhol-damau artists assembling under one roof. We have been rehearsing for the past three days and tomorrow a final presentation will be given by these artists,” said Bharatwan.

Culture minister Satpal Maharaj gave the idea of organising this workshop after taking hint from Kullu Dussehra folk dance presentation by 9892 folk artists from Himachal Pradesh. Dhol-damau player Uttam Das from Tehri Garwhal, who has been awarded with President award by Dr Gyani Jail Singh in 1983, said that dhol-damau is an instrument of deities and evokes spiritual bliss. “Its a wonderful experience to know about the musical skill and style of different artists.Surely,this would promote folk music and instruments and hopefully, next year we will be able to make it to the annals of Guinness Book,” said Das, who has mastered the playing of both dhol and damau at a time.