LAHORE: The beat of a drum enraptures one like no other music instrument does. Dhol is the most common music instrument in Punjab which adds verve to luddi, bhangra, folk performances and many other dance forms. One can find many men practicing the art and entertaining people in this neck of the woods but rarely does one see a woman displaying her skills as a drum-beater.

In order to fill the vacuum, Arishama Maryam, 20, has embraced the drum-beating profession and already created ripples in the music scene. She plays dhol at public gatherings, weddings and cultural programmes arranged by arts councils, especially the Lahore Arts Council.

In a chit-chat recently, Maryam shared with Dawn her success story and how she got into the profession. “I had a great fascination about dhol and the beat of a drum would attract me when I was a child. I decided to learn how to beat the two-headed instrument and eventually got training from Goonga Saien,” she said.

“I have done solo performances at the Alhamra Art Center. In July last, I represented Pakistan in Beijing, where I performed at an event held in connection with Pak-China friendship celebrations. The Punjab government issued me a certificate of appreciation,” she said.

Maryam has not only made out a name in drum-beating but she also plays some other instruments such as violin and conga drum. Besides being a classy dhol player, she is also a collector of snakes, a biker and what she calls a fashion freak. She has recently come up with a fashion company.

She said she had the honour of performing with international artistes such as Mika Singh (India), Arif Lohar and some known bands. “I wish to perform with Jasmeet Kaur one day,” said Maryam who can perform bhangra, dhamal, Sindhi and Pushto rhythms on dhol and can whirl for 30 seconds.

She is scheduled to perform at an event on The Mall on Thursday (today).

Published in Dawn, January 12th, 2017