There’s something about the deep, thundering beats of the dhol that can make even the shyest break into a smile – or a dance. Be it Ganeshotsav, Navratri, or just about any other grand procession, the dhol isn’t just an instrument – it’s the heartbeat of celebration in Maharashtra. It calls people together, lifts spirits, and turns ordinary streets into promenades of joy and celebration. But behind every such celebration is a pathak – a troupe of passionate drummers (dhol vaadaks/vaadikas) that live and breathe the electrifying rhythm.
Team unstumbled engaged in a conversation with one such troupe – the Swarangan Dhol Tasha Pathak, a troupe based in Andheri and Thane, and we delved deeper into their story. With insightful conversations with their founder, Pratik Gaikar as well as members of the troupe, we understood how they function, what goes on behind the scenes, and how they honor the legacy of this traditional art form.
Swarangan Dhol Tasha Pathak: Preserving Marathi Culture, One Beat At A Time
Swarangan Dhol Tasha Pathak: Why And How It Began
Dhol pathak troupes are plenty in Mumbai – but Swarangan’s story stands out effortlessly. Started by Pratik Gaikar when he was just 18, this dhol troupe has been making the streets of Mumbai dance and groove for quite a few years now.
Traditional dhol performance is a Maharashtrian folk art that has been preserved for decades and dhol pathaks like Swarangan are keeping this folk art alive. What started as a celebratory instrument in the times of the mighty Maratha Empire (1600s onwards) has now evolved into a street art form that’s rooted in culture and legacy.
Swarangan Dhol Tasha Pathak started as Pratik’s genuine effort to make the art more accessible and enjoyable to those who were interested in it. From school students and college-going crowd to youngsters and professionals in their 20s and even 30s, the dhol pathak is open for everyone who is passionate about this instrument and its rich legacy. Today, it has about 50+ members and the troupe is only growing in size with each passing year.
Inclusive And Open For All!
Pratik, as the head of the dhol pathak, has ensured that the troupe is a space for everyone regardless of their background. He started the dhol pathak for those who couldn’t pursue this art form professionally or didn’t have adequate financial means to support it.
Swarangan Dhol Tasha Pathak is no ordinary troupe – here you’ll find both boys and girls in equal numbers enjoying the art form. While most dhol pathaks are commonly all-male due to its association with being a ‘manly’ art form, Swarangan stands out among one of the few troupes that are truly inclusive!
In fact, during our conversation with the troupe, we found out that the troupe has everyone from school-going students to working professionals. In fact, their youngest member is only in 8th grade! So you can only imagine how the troupe is a place where talent reigns supreme and not the participant’s age and sex!
Dhols That Weigh Up To 27 KG!
The most integral part of any dhol tasha pathak is the musical instrument dhol itself. These dhols are shaped like a barrel and are made of wood and metal with two sides where you can use a stick to produce its renowned reverberating sound.
Dhol is known for its signature deep bass at the broader end whereas a high-pitched sound at the smaller end. It is a commonly played instrument in many parts of South Asia, especially in the Indian subcontinent and is integral to celebrations and rituals.
The dhol has been widely used in Indian folk and traditional music and can be commonly seen in weddings, processions, announcements, and other important celebratory occasions.
In Swarangan, these dhols aren’t just instruments that make you groove, they are the heartbeat keeping the troupe running. And no, it’s definitely not as light as a feather! In our conversation with the troupe members, we found out that there are different kinds of dhol that the team uses.
You have the lightest ones that weigh at 21 kg, with varieties that weigh 23 kg and 25 kg. The troupe also has the 27 kg dhols that are only used by the troupe leader, i.e. Pratik himself! With dhols that alone weigh almost 20 to 25 kg at an average, picking them up, maintaining them along your body, and playing non-stop for hours definitely sounds like a battle of one’s stamina, resilience, and core strength!
India’s Best Dancer: A Television Appearance And Brighter Days Ahead
If the dhol pathak wasn’t already popular amongst locals and Ganesh mandals for their impeccable performances, the troupe got a stunning television debut when they appeared in India’s Best Dancer Season 3 in 2023. Swarangan Dhol Tasha Pathak was invited to specially play for the judges of this reality dance program, and they certainly delivered!
Their stint of India’s Best Dancer led their troupe to reach newer heights of fame and reputation. Earlier, the troupe was well-known in Mumbai and parts of Maharashtra, but their stint on national television catapulted them into becoming a troupe that’s proudly championing Marathi folk art and culture.
The troupe has since performed in many parts of the state as well as went to different places within India. Members candidly recall how their experience in the Pink City of Rajasthan, Jaipur, was an unforgettable one among them all. The members fondly remembered their inter-state journey, candid gossip they exchanged as they traveled within the city, the extreme heat and cold of Rajasthan, and the captivating beauty of the city that fuelled their enthusiasm.
This dhol troupe’s story is just unfolding – with 3+ hours of non-stop stamina to play for their patrons, the troupe is only just beginning to carve its niche. In 2025, the troupe has performed at the aagman ceremony of Mumbai cha Ichchapurti Ganesha as well as Geeta Nagar cha Samrat, both in South Mumbai.
Summing Up
View this post on Instagram
Energetic beats, echoing sounds, and a spirit that transcends through the air – the dhol is a quintessential tradition that has been carefully preserved, thanks to troupes like the Swarangan Dhol Tasha Pathak. By bringing people together, keeping the art alive, and opening its doors to everyone, Swarangan isn’t just preserving heritage – it’s shaping the future of folk culture, one resounding beat at a time.
