450-year old traditional dhak-dhol hat in Katiadi

Alam Sarowar Tito, Kishoreganj :

Every year before the Durga Puja,(the biggest religious festival of the Bangalee Hindu community),under the antumn sky, the banks of the old Brahmaputra River in katiadi of Kishoreganj come alive with rhythmic sounds of Dhak-dhol. Durga Puja is incomplete without the sound of drums and music.

The atmosphere of drums and music should present in every episode. By now, the news of the arrival of the joyful Durga has reached everywhere. The worshipers are busy decorating the mandap.

Seeing the popularity of playing drums in this traditional haat for more than 450 years, the organizers of the puja hired a dhaki group.

This time too, it was no exception.Dhrub Ranjon Das , Katiadi Puja Udjapan Parishad general secretary, said that, in the information, and technology many people book dhakis on mobile phones.

Therefore, the number of buyers and sellers at the hatt is decreasing day by day .

The haat activities started on Saturday.It will continue till the late night of Mahasashthi on Sunday.

At least 200 dhakidals (musical groups) from different districts of the country have participated in this haat.

Bands of drummers, their instruments, slung across their shoulder, gather. There from all over their region, playing their best tunes.

Kajal Chandra Bhowmik, the organiser of the puja said he came to the Dhaker Hat from Ghorashal to hire a dhaki group.I had been hearing about this hat for a long time. This is the first time I have come.

I have caught the eye of a dhaki. He plays well. A contract has been signed with him for 18,000 taka, Anukul Debnath of Kishoreganj sadar, said that ;We hired a five-member dhaki group to play at our pavilion for 90,000 taka.

However, this time the dhaki group has come a little less. That is why the demand is high, so the money is a little more. The previous enthusiasm is not there. That is why the dhaki group is coming here less and less day by day.

Locals say,this Dhak-dhol hatt is no longer just for Hindus,. People of all religious come here to listen to rhe sound of drums and music. The hatt has become a source of inspiration.

The local feudal king Nabaranga Roy used to organize Durga Puja in his palace, before 450 years ago.Security was a key concern ahead of durga puja celebrations this, and the situation is so far so good, said, Officer -in Charge( OC) of katiadi, Tariqul Islam.