This story is from August 30, 2014

Ganeshotsav celebrations to dhol pathak beats

Like every year, Pune’s dhol tasha groups have gone all out to give a grand welcome to their favourite Ganpati bappa with their energetic performances.
Ganeshotsav celebrations to dhol pathak beats
Like every year, Pune’s dhol tasha groups have gone all out to give a grand welcome to their favourite Ganpati bappa with their energetic performances. TOI speaks to some prominent pathaks about their history, achievements, preparations and what do they have in store for the coming days of the Ganeshotsav.
Samartha Pratishthan Dhol Tasha Pathak
Glorious past: Operational since the year 1999, the pathak has 450 members ranging from a nine-year-old to a 45-year-old.
The group has been actively involved in social service and has donated huge amounts to aid the orphans, visually impaired etc. They had also initiated and run a blind persons dhol tasha pathak for some years and an only bal dhol tasha pathak comprising children under 12.
Speciality: Apart from the usual group, this year the pathak has also formed an all girls pathak comprising 100 members who have been practising regularly for over a month. Sanjay Satpute, president of the group said, “As the current times are all about women empowerment, we thought of making an all-girl pathak. Apart from the dhol tasha, the girls will be using dhwaj, dhal-talwar and zenda. The girls will be managing everything in the procession right from sound checking the dhols to loading and unloading them in tempos and managing the traffic.
This is to show that they are equally efficient and don’t require to be treated differently.”
To perform at: Shri Kasba Ganpati Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Kesariwada Ganpati, Jilbya Maruti Ganpati Mandal, Katraj, Koregaon Park and Karvenagar.
Nadbramha Dhol Tasha Pathak
Glorious past: This 440 member group came into existence in 2011 and has professionals from various fields including 140 girls. A nine-year-old school student is their youngest member while the oldest is 40-year-old nana sir who has taught the group, nuances of dhol tasha performances. The group’s professional highlights include a performance before Tirupati Balaji and another before Kolhapur’s goddess Mahalaxmi, last year. The group also donated a part of its earnings to orphans.

Speciality: Armed with 172 dhol and 54 tashe, dhwaj and tol gadi, the pathak has included the idli dosa taal and Madrasi taal to the traditional beats. Kamlesh Kamble who has been associated with the group for the past 19 years, informed, “Our group has been practicing at Marketyard for last one and a half month. This year we are introducing the bhajani theka and have also planned a surprise act on the last day.”
To perform at: Guruji Talim Mandal, Gajanan Mitra Mandal, Mahesh Society, Bibvewadi, Parvati, Mukundnagar apart from Girgaon and Mulund in Mumbai.
Ramanbaug Dhol Tasha Pathak
Glorious past: Established in 1990, there are 450 members in this pathak, wherein the youngest is a five-year-old and the oldest is of 63 years. The group has had the honour of performing before the much respected mandal Shri Manata Bhau Saheb Rangari Ganpati, which is India’s first sarvajanik Ganeshotsav mandal, since 1892. The pathak diverts the entire funds it generates towards the development of the Ramanbaug school.
Speciality: This pathak, which has been practising for the past fortnight, specializes in playing the kathiyawadi tihai beats from Gujarat. “We will also be playing the music from the film Taal on the last day in the miravnuk,” said Swapnil Zore, the pathak’s president. Ten-year-old Mrunmayee Sabnis who is one of the dhol players of the group said, “This is my first year and I’m very excited to be a part of the group. To gain and maintain energy, we were told to eat dates and bananas every day before our rehearsals.” Zore added, “As many children from the group will be performing at during the final miravnuk, we will distribute electral and glucon D packets to keep up their energy levels.”
To perform at: Shri Kasba Ganpati Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Trust Aarti Mandal, Shaniwar Peth, Akhil Mandai Ganpati Mandal, Babu Genu Ganpati Mandal and Girgaon, Mumbai.
Shivgarjana Dhol Pathak Mandal
Glorious past: This pathak which has members who are of 16 years and above was constituted in 2002 and has 375 members. The highlight of their 12-year career is that they featured in Vidya Balan’s Mala Jau De item number from the movie Ferrari Ki Sawari and the Marathi movie Uladhaal. As some members of the group are settled overseas, they also have two branches in Australia. The group is also active socially and has held events and felicitated vaikunth workers, paraplegic children and folk artistes from rural areas.
Speciality: Breaking the conventional norms, the pathak has been experimenting with new beats. Shirish Thite, the president informed, “At times, the traditional eight beats become monotonous with so many pathaks playing the same thing. This year for adding variety, we are adding music from Kerela with 4-5 variations. In the last two months, the practice sessions mostly have been about unique dhwaj formations like kamal, shankarpali, swastika and more.” The group also arranged for the members, a lecture by a diet expert on the right diet to be followed during the exhaustive practice period.
To perform at: Guruji Talim Ganpati Mandal, Akhil Mandai Ganpati Mandal, Aundh-Baner, Khopoli, Mumbai and Kolhapur.
Rudra Garjana Vadya Pathak
Glorious past: Formed in the 2012, the pathak has 300 members who are a mix of boys and girls above 16 years of age. Last year, the pathak set a record of performing the maximum number of times in Pune. The prominent places they have performed at include Shri Manata Bhau Saheb Rangari Ganpati and Navratra Utsav in Kolhapur. The group has also performed at the Paraplegic Rehabilitation centre, Kirkee on August 15 last and this year. They provide free training to enthusiasts who want to join the dhol tasha group.
Speciality: President of the group Amit Takawale said, “Our specialty is playing the shambu shutaya haat and rudra haat using dhwaj and zhanj which is new this year. It is a combination of 2-3 foot tapping mix beats. Our members will be wearing a yellow-gold dupatta instead of the usual red coloured one over the traditional while ensemble.” Dr Dinesh Bhosale a
city-based dentist who is part of the pathak said, “I came across dhol tasha performances during my school days but could not pursue it due to professional requirements. But this year I decided to devote time to this hobby that gives me unmatched pleasure.” Bhosale will be playing the dhol along with his eight-year-old daughter Janhavi.
To perform at: Lokmanya Nagar, FC Road Policelines, Laxmi Road, Azad Mitra Mandal and Hind Tarun Mandal.
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