KOLKATA, INDIA, October 2, 2006: The traditional art form of dhak (a type of drum) has been receiving special attention during the Durga festival in Kolkata for the last three years. As a result of a competition whereby dhakis could possibly win a cash prize for their dhak beats, many travel to Kolkata from the remote villages of Murshidabad to perform. Marketing organizer Dwaipayan Das explains, “We wanted to help these people who live with the dying art form of Bengal called dhak. There is severe, sheer economic problem for them as they are coming from the village community and they don’t have money. So we wanted to be beside them to patronize this enriched art form of Bengal called dhak. I hope this will go in the front run of the grandeur this puja.”
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