In pre-Covid times, a part of Lahore would reverberate with drumbeat almost every weekend when a group of people would gather in a circle with a drum, or any percussion instrument, in hand and play it in a rhythm, creating a trance-like atmosphere with music, wellness, therapy all interspersed together.

None of the participants in this ‘drum circle’ is verbally communicating with the other, yet there exists a connection among all of them. The activity is inclusive with no restrictions on skill set, background, income level or age.

With its roots in African and Asian cultures, a drum circle has evolved and traversed the globe. Saad Sarfraz Sheikh of Quadrum, the band, says compared to a concert where the audience can sing along only, a drum circle is more interactive because one is actively playing along together. “A musician or percussionist leading it has a drum and others have similar instruments placed on their laps that they’re playing.”

He says since there is a “horrible lack of entertainment”, it’s a great way to meet new people. One doesn’t need to own an instrument to attend it as whoever organises a drum circle has invested in drums that they hand out to participants.

Psychotherapist and Saad’s fellow band member, Atif Saeed, can be credited with introducing drum circles to Lahore. He got familiar with the instrument while battling cancer back in 2009, and wanted to share with the world how it helped him. “I slowly developed a language with the instrument and drumming really helped me get through the illness. Once I realised what a tremendous resource this is, I wanted to share it with the world. I looked for drum circles in Pakistan, but couldn’t find any. So I decided to create one.”

Atif wanted the entire Lahore to resound with drumbeat. And entertainment wasn’t the only purpose: he wanted to combine his background in psychotherapy with drumming for a more therapeutic experience. “I started well over seven years ago with just eight drums that I borrowed from friends. I launched the Drum Clinic after organising drum circles at various community spaces. For me, it’s about exploring and expressing yourself, getting in touch with your emotions. People have claimed it’s changed their lives.”

Even if a person attends the event for fun, he/she leaves with an altered mood. That is the calming effect of a drum circle.

“I often say that answers to all questions lie in a drum circle. Some come for the fun, some to learn, some to get rid of their blockages and identify issues that they have. At the end of an event, we talk about how each person felt. I connect what’s going on during the circle to what’s going on in one’s life outside. It’s a really safe place where you can be yourself with no fear of judgement.”

As a musician, Saad also admits that playing an instrument has a healing effect, especially a drum. “Drums have been proven to have a therapeutic element. After a day’s work, when you beat the drums you’re indirectly taking out any frustration, which helps. Personally, when I’m on stage, I also feel healed.”

At the centre of every drum circle is a rhythm that one person initiates and is followed by everyone else. Following a rhythm isn’t tricky even for someone who has never played an instrument.

“Rhythm is something we’re born with. Being in a rhythm is our natural state, but when you go out of rhythm is when you have blockages within you. Seasons, sun, orbit, everything is in a rhythm,” Atif says.

Such has been the impact of this activity that he claims people have broken down because they are so moved by the rhythm.

Taking his “dream big” mantra ahead, Atif wants to play his part for Indo-Pak peace and co-organise a drum circle between the two countries where half a circle would be formed on the Indian side of the border and the other half here.

Sadaan Saeed has been a regular at drum circles. Before Covid hit, he had been attending the event for around five years, which changed his life for the better.

“There was a phase when I was struggling a lot in my life and career where I felt choked daily. I had heard a drum circle was therapeutic so a friend tagged me along to one of the sessions. When I played in the circle, I found it very relaxing and everybody’s energies were going along with each other. You don’t know anyone personally yet there’s a connection without communicating,” Sadaan recalled.

After attending a few sessions, things started easing for him; it felt like meditation, a stress-buster after a rough day. “A lot of times if there was a blockage in my head and I felt something stuck, it would ease off. After every session I’d feel lighter – something one feels after meditation, a workout or prayers. Every time it felt as if a reset button had been pressed.”

Sadaan says when you listen to people play, you start understanding what they are going through in their life, what their problems are, whether they’re introvert or extrovert, have anxiety, aggression.

“It told me a lot about myself. I was an extreme introvert before attending drum circles. I wouldn’t share anything with anyone and suppress my feelings. I don’t know if it was the drums, the discussions, the overall energy, but life became easier. Now I don’t have a problem sharing my feelings and expressing myself.”

With the Covid-19 restrictions being lifted, the drum circles may return soon and end up healing the many people suffering from various mental health issues as a result of the lockdowns.

Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2021