Women drummers return to bidi making owing to pandemic in Kolkata

Hit by pandemic, a group of women drummers, who used to bask in the glory of their profession, has now took a U-turn and have become bidi workers.

Kolkata: Once they were considered as vanguards who broke the glass ceiling and pursued the male-exclusive profession of playing the Dhaks or ceremonial drums during Durga Puja. However, the Covid pandemic has turned the tables. The women Dhakis of Habra in North 24 parganas are now reduced to bidi workers.

Inspired by artist Sajal Nandi, women residents of Nattaparra area in Ashoknagar under North 24 Parganas districts of West Bengal switched to the profession of Puja ceremonial drummers. A special group christened Amulya Chandra Rhythm Musical College was formed by these women drummers. The annual contracts they used to receive during the festival helped them earn quite hefty amounts.

However, owing to pandemic, subsequent lockdown and economic slowdown, Puja organisers reduced their budgets. Contracts declined adding to the woes of the drummers during the last two years. In order to make both ends meet, the drummers took a U-turn in their career.

To recall, with an aim to make local women self-reliant, artist Sajal Nandi set up Amulya Chandra Rhythm Musical College in 2017 with six women members. Nandi himself is a resident of Nattapara's Number 3 ward. Gradually, following his inspiration more local women joined the musical group and quickly the number of members escalated to 60. During the initial years, the group used to get enough contracts to perform in different community pujas during the festive season.

Everything was hunky-dory from 2017 to 2019. They had little time for leisure as they hustled between events. The group was widely sought as they used to get contracts from other states, including New Delhi as well as for other festivals and ceremonies. The group of women emerged financially independent.

The downturn has hit them hard now. Anjana Nandi, drummer said that as the financial condition worsened and she had to return to her old profession as a bidi worker "After leading such a colourful and musical life for the last few years, working as bidi worker is hurting my sentiment. But I am helpless since I have no other choice. The festival days are ahead. But this year we do not have any contract. So I returned to my old profession to buy a couple of new clothes for my children. At least returning to the old profession brings some earning," she said.

Sajal Nandi, the founder of the group, said that till now this year they have got just a couple of contracts and that too at extremely low payments. "I am trying to give some work to each member of the group. They are suffering financially. My aim was to uplift the living conditions of these women who come from poor financial backgrounds. I feel sad to see them going back to their old professions," he said. However, he is hopeful that the good days might return soon and he will succeed in his aim to make women self-reliant.