We set on our journey to visit and interview the well-known 93 year old gentleman who plays the Dholak. We drove through the luscious thick greens that provided us with shade but also witnessed the beginning of the fall foliage which covered the forests with hues of amber yellow, moss green and russet brown that created a blanket on the forest floor. After a long 4 hour journey, thrilled and anticipating meeting this maestro and his family, we arrived at the village he calls home. When we entered the little lane that led to his house, we were greeted by the “baa-ing” of sheep and the scorching sun that provided us with warmth while we experienced the crisp winter air. We finally arrived at his house. Upon arriving at his residence, we were warmly welcomed by his daughter-in-law. The initial hesitance of his wife, wary of unfamiliar faces entering their home, melted away when she laid eyes on Nirmala ji, a familiar and trusted acquaintance. The warmth of recognition lit up their faces, transforming caution into broad smiles. To our surprise, we learned that the venerable musician had ventured off to engage in farming, leaving his whereabouts shrouded in mystery. Undeterred, his daughter-in-law, with kindness in her heart, urged us to wait while she embarked on a mission to locate him. Unaccustomed to modern technology, he refrained from the use of a mobile phone, adding an air of suspense to our encounter. We waited for a short while.
A gentleman who, despite the passage of years, appeared no older than 60, effortlessly ascending a staircase with a lathi in hand. Clad in a grey Nehru jacket, a vibrant pink kurta, and a pristine white Nehru cap, he exuded an aura of timeless elegance.
As he approached, a radiant smile adorned his face, though tinged with a hint of curiosity. It was evident that he was trying to discern the nature of our visit and the purpose behind our presence. In this resplendent attire, he stood before us, a living embodiment of poise and charm. Our introduction revealed that we were trying to interview him, driven by a genuine interest in the narrative he had shared during a previous encounter with representatives from RDI had come to offer their condolences when his granddaughter passed away.
We began the interviewing process and before we proceeded, he asked his daughter in law to get his dholak so as he was narrating this beautiful story to us, he broke the piece with a small beat that he played from his Dholak. Just like the way he embellished himself, his Dholak also had strands of rani pink and orange cloth tied around it for what we assumed is decoration purposes. He narrated his ancestors origin/creation story as to how his ancestors were moulded and created by Lord Shiva. He began by telling us how Goddess Parvati wished to marry Lord Shiva but she agreed to marrying him only if he played a dholak for her. So with great difficulty, he created the dholak but she told him that there also needs to be an individual who is able to play this dholak. Lord Shiva then rubbed the dirt off his chest and moulded a man who was then called the “Kala Dev” who was created solely to play the dholak.
With a twinkle in his eye, he playfully hinted at the prospect of continuing his performance if a small token were to be offered. Laughter rippled through the air as he quickly reassured us that it was all in good fun, and he seamlessly resumed weaving his narrative. However, every jest has its consequences, as our storyteller soon discovered. A gentle tap on the shoulder from his wife and a mild scolding followed, prompting a sheepish grin from our charismatic narrator. He explained that it was merely a lighthearted moment, a playful attempt to add a touch of amusement to our interaction.
This charming episode added a layer of warmth to our visit, highlighting not only the richness of the oral tradition but also the playful spirit that infuses the storyteller’s life.
During the interview when asked the question about his profession, he told us that his ancestors have indulged themselves in tailoring to bring food to the table and that they are also farmers but his poorvaj ancestors were created to play the dholak and that is what he was brought into this world for as well. He also narrated the story as to how they migrated from Lakh Mandal to Bhagi through a Ballad while continuing to play the Dholak.
We further asked him questions about his life including his age and that is when we realised he was actually 86 years old. He spoke very highly of all his family members and how supportive they have been and how he adores them all, they were all well settled except when his granddaughter transitioned last year which broke his heart. When he spoke about her, his eyes filled up with tears and you could hear this beautiful musician’s voice crack and break down. It was surprising to see, especially in this day and age where men are deemed as weak when they express their emotions and here he was so openly expressing the way he felt and how he still misses his granddaughter dearly. This brought tears to my eyes too but we gathered up some courage to offer him some as well and he felt some consolation knowing that she was looking after their family from wherever she might be. After ending the interview, he gave us a lot of hugs and took our hands and kissed them. He mentioned how happy he was to see us so much that he promised us to visit him again. Their big hearts then offered us some tea that helped us warm our bodies from within and offered us some fresh guavas from their garden that were as sweet as nectar. When I refused to take a guava, this very generous man who now felt a lot like a grandfather figure said that I must take a fruit just for him while he made a face that looked upset. We bid them farewell but to our surprise he and his daughter-in-law came all the way to the main entrance of their village to bid us goodbye and during that she gave me a pumpkin that was growing on top of their roof that they grew themselves. On the car ride back, I could not fathom or describe the feeling I felt, which I was drenched in. It has been almost a month since we went to meet him and today I came across a quote by Swami Rama where he says “All I have is the gift of love, which I received from my masters and other sages. This same gift I offer to you. May you receive, retain and multiply in your heart. God bless you.” That is when I realised the feeling that I felt when we were returning from Nagthat which I felt completely flooded with and completely swarmed in was the feeling of love.
Ms. Advika Yadav, RDI Volunteer
