500-year-old dhaker haat bustles ahead of Durga Puja

The centuries-old Dhaker Haat in Katiadi, Kishoreganj, has become bustling with activity ahead of Durga Puja, as Dhaki troupes from across the country arrive to negotiate fees and secure engagements at different Puja mandaps.

The nearly 500-year-old traditional market is an important part of Bengal’s folk culture, bringing together skilled drummers and Puja organisers ahead of the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community.

From Maha Shashthi to the immersion of the idols, the beats of dhak drums remain an integral part of Durga Puja celebrations. The market, which is held two or three days before the festival begins, serves as a meeting point for dhakis and representatives of Puja mandaps seeking to hire skilled performers.

The market witnessed a flurry of activity as drummers arrived with their traditional musical instruments. They performed before representatives of various Puja mandaps, showcasing their skills through rhythmic beats and lively performances. Many wore colourful attire to attract attention while negotiating fees and finalising contracts.

Kajal Mia of Sylhet, whose troupe is known as the ‘Kajal Band’, signed a contract worth Tk 1.2 lakh with the authorities of Kalibari Puja Mandap in Katiadi municipality.

Skilled musical troupes from different districts, including Gazipur, Bikrampur in Munshiganj, Sylhet, Narayanganj and Faridpur, gather at the market with dhaks, dhols, cymbals, khanjani, shanai, trumpets, kartals and other traditional instruments.

Two or three days before the festival begins, representatives of Puja mandaps from Kishoreganj and neighbouring districts, including Narsingdi, Mymensingh, Netrokona, Brahmanbaria, Habiganj and Sunamganj, visit the market to assess the performances and skills of the troupes. They then negotiate fees and hire the teams of their choice.

During a visit to the market on Thursday afternoon, Ganesh Chandra Dey of the Konabari area in Gazipur was seen hiring two dhakis, including Satyendra Moni Das of Shibpur in Narsingdi, for his mandap at a cost of Tk 21,500.

Meanwhile, Gopal Sutradhar of the Jaharpur area under Sarachar Union in Bajitpur upazila hired Bhajan Das, a dhaki from Sirajdikhan upazila of Munshiganj, for Tk 20,000.

Suman Chandra Monidas, a dhaki from Kapasia in Gazipur, has been attending the market for 20 years. Abu Hanif, a dhaki from the Bargharia area of Karimganj upazila in Kishoreganj, Sohag Mia, a dhaki from the Satal area of Kishoreganj town, and Joynal, a trumpet player, have been coming to the market for 16 years.

Although traditional musical instruments are used at various religious festivals, they hold special significance during Durga Puja, when the beats of dhak drums help create a festive atmosphere at temples and mandaps.

Ratan Kumar Saha, joint general secretary of the Dhaker Haat Management Committee, said committee members sat at the market with tables and registers to carry out their supervisory responsibilities.

They recorded the names, addresses and phone numbers of Puja mandap officials and dhakis to facilitate communication and maintain records of the engagements.

He said local ruler Nabaranga introduced the traditional Dhaker Haat through a competition nearly 500 years ago. Since then, the market has been held regularly every year.

Dhakis from different parts of the country and representatives of Puja mandaps gather at the market, he said, adding that the participants are managed with assistance from the administration. Arrangements are also made for accommodation and meals for dhakis arriving from outside the area.

Kishoreganj-2 (Katiadi-Pakundia) lawmaker Advocate Md Jalaluddin told The New Nation that the tradition was a source of heritage and pride for the local community.

He said Tk 1.2 lakh had been allocated for constructing a toilet for the dhakis
Kishoreganj Superintendent of Police Mizanur Rahman said necessary measures had already been taken to ensure the safety of the dhakis and maintain security during the event.

Katiadi Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shamia Afroz said troupes had arrived from areas including Bikrampur, Cumilla, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Keraniganj, Gazipur and Habiganj.

The performers brought traditional instruments, including dhak, dhol, bashi, shanai, kartal, khanjari, mandira and jhanjh, she said.

The UNO added that the administration was monitoring the situation round the clock to maintain law and order.

As Durga Puja approaches, the historic Dhaker Haat continues to serve as a vital platform for traditional musicians, preserving a centuries-old cultural practice while helping Puja organisers find the performers who bring rhythm and festivity to the celebrations.