Traditional drummers in West Bengal hope to earn more during Durga Puja

Durga Puja, which commences on September 30 this year, is an occasion to celebrate the victory of good over evil but does not assume the festive aura without the beats that come from traditional drums called 'dhak'.

The festival is also an opportunity for traditional drummers to earn better as when the festival starts, these people start gathering in places adjacent to different railway stations in and around Kolkata so that they can be contacted by the organisers of Durga Puja marquees to be hired for the festival.

The drummers otherwise work as daily labourers during the year and come together during the festive season to earn extra which help them sustain livelihood for the entire year.

A traditional drummer in Siliguri said they are completely dependent on this five-day festival of Bengali Hindus.

"We come this far leaving our family back home and hope for good business during the festive season. Beating dhak is the only thing that we can do and are dependent solely on it," said drummer Ravi Das.