PESHAWAR: The provincial metropolis may be a dangerous place for foreign visitors and local artists but it has proven a safe haven and business hub for dhol players (drummers) from Punjab.

“It is our peak season because of wedding ceremonies. Cultural and political activities also gain momentum in the winter. Peshawar is a safe place for us. We have no threats from anyone here,” said Mashood Hussain, a dhol player from Mandi Bahauddin.

He, however, said that only police demanded either Rs100 in cash or cellular phone card credit worth Rs200 when they returned late in the night from attending an event in the city. “People in Peshawar, in general, respect us. Pakhtuns love dhol performance. Only police sometimes, place a demand of Rs100 from each performer or asking us to fill in a mobile card credit Rs200,” said Ramzan Ali.

Dhol players say they don’t feel threatened

Master dhol beater are in great demand in Peshawar these days. “I am going to hire a pair of dhol players for my elder brother’s wedding ceremony this evening at Regi village near Peshawar. Dhol performance enhances enthusiasm and doubles jubilation of participants. Dhol has the force to create a stir in the even otherwise shy people,” Wahid Jan, a client, argued.

Dhol playing has become a widespread trend on happy occasions in and around Peshawar. Ali Mumtaz comes every day at 2pm to Green Shadi Hall Chowk in Saddar bazaar and attends two to three happy events where he performs on dhol for an hour or two in different parts of the city.

About 50 dhol players come from Sargodha, Punjab, every year and stay in rented kiosks and small rooms in Changarabad in the vicinity of Gulbahar area of Peshawar city.

A dhol performer, at an average, earns Rs30,000 to Rs40,000 per month. “Dhol being a simple skin instrument can be coupled with other musical instruments to produce a tender effect. Gypsy families reside near Gulbahar rail track are also in dhol playing business but they are few in number,” said Sadaqat, a local resident.

Noori, a senior dhol performer, said that their community in Changarabad charged them Rs6,000 per month. “Being poor people, we cannot afford it. The culture department can allocate us a decent place only for six months,” he added.

A dhol costs Rs15,000 to Rs 25,000. Dhols with animal skins (beating plates) are no more in use. “A dhol with a beating plate of skin gets dampened during rainy season. Also its gets affected badly due to extreme heat. Only plastic beating plate works well. Sheesham (rosewood) used in its making of huge hollow body. Its sound casts a pleasing effect on the listeners,” said Rizwan Ali, a member of a dhol players group.

“I belong to Sargodha. Our business starts in the month of October and ends in April. I have been coming here regularly for the last 15 years. I have learnt Pashto and also can play tunes of some popular Pashto songs,” Mr Mumtaz said.

Dhol players are invited on various happy occasions including wedding ceremony, engagement, mehndi, child birth celebration, political gathering or students’ parties.

A dhol player earns Rs2,000 to Rs3,000 per day on Saturdays and Sundays. The Green Shadi Hall Chowk in Saddar bazaar and Gulbahar Chowk are two pick points where 15 each dhol group players wearing yellow uniforms are found waiting for their potential clients. Normally, a pair of dhol player charges Rs1,500 from the clients while participants of the events also give money to them.

Dhol players keep their activities to in and around Peshawar city not because of threats from militants but because of fear of being cheated by some clients, who take them to wedding functions and send them back unpaid. “We decline offers now from big villages surrounding Peshawar city. The clients promise a handsome amount but after our performance is finished, they send us back without paying our charges,” said Sajjad Hussain.

He said that learning a dhol playing takes about three years. Teenagers are being trained in dhol playing. “I am learning dhol playing from my uncle. I hope I will master it in two years. I love it while performing dhol. People tune to dance especially youngsters,” said Majid Hussain, a young performer.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2014