Upholding Assamese Culture Through Music: The Traditional Instrument Makers

05:15 PM Apr 13, 2024 | Bhagyashree Sarma

 

Rongali Bihu is incomplete without the melodious tunes of the Dhool, Pepa, and Gogona; the vital instruments played during the festival, thus creating a vibration of love, harmony and festive feels in the air. However, the Bihu celebration is incomplete without the people that are behind the making of these instruments. They are the people who work tirelessly day and night and thus are significant in carrying forward the Assamese culture.  The team of GPlus talked with a few of them to know how they are preparing for this year's Rongali Bihu, the sales they are expecting and what items are generally purchased.

One of the instrument makers from Rajgarh said, “I have been making instruments for the last 30 years. I worked on Dhulki, xol, tabla, naal, bongo, etc. However, with time I have seen that the demand for some traditional instruments are going down. In fact, half of the demand has decreased. People now want to buy a percussion and drum pads, keyboards, guitars, etc. The dhol's popularity is not there anymore as it used to be.”

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When people decide on buying a musical instrument, they need to have a set budget in their mind. For that reason, the team of Gplus asked the sellers about the prices of some of the musical instruments. One of the sellers told us, “For Bihu, a lot of musical instruments are available in the market. Dhol, Pepa, Gogona, Bahi, Toka, Xutuli, etc. The prices of these instruments start from around Rs 120. The Gogona comes for around 120 – 150 Rs. The Samkothale dhol is priced at Rs 4500, Kothalor is  Rs 6500. The Dhol for kids comes around for Rs 800, and ranges us to Rs 1600, Rs 2000. And the Pepa starts from Rs 2500." However, it is clearly visible that the prices of the musical items have gone up, which may be another factor of people not buying them like before.

When asked about the sale this year, another seller said “the sale this year is not as much as it used to be. Definitely, the prices have gone up, and people are not that hyped for traditional instruments. However, we are sending instruments to places that are outside of Assam and even India. We exported to Australia, New Zealand, and such places.” This has to be one of the best part of Bihu, as there is a high level of exportation of instruments to the other parts of the world.

When we asked whether their children will take up their profession or will they opt for something else, one of them said, “of course they will carry forward this tradition. This is our family business. We learnt it from our parents and grandparents and our children will also learn from us. If they don't, who will uphold the Assamese culture.”

Dhol, Pepa, and Gogona are some of the vital musical instruments in the festival of Rongali Bihu. However, the Bihu celebration is incomplete without those people that are behind the making of these instruments. They are the people who work tirelessly day and night and thus carry forward the Assamese culture. The team of GPlus talked with a few of them to know how they are preparing for this year's Rongali Bihu and about the sales and what items people are purchasing.

One of the instrument makers from Rajgarh said, “I have been making instruments for the last 30 years. I worked on Dhulki, xol, tabla, taal, bongo, etc. however, with time I have seen that the demand for some traditional instruments are going down. Infact half of the demand has decreased. People now want to buy a purchase pad, keyboard, and casio, etc. The dhol's popularity is not there anymore.”

The decreasing demand of traditional instruments shows how our culture is on the verge of fading away. The younger generation tends to show a lack of interest in purchasing traditional instruments and can be seen buying more modern instruments like guitar, keyboard, or casio, etc.

When people go to purchase they need to have a budget in their mind. For that reason, the team of Gplus asked the sellers about the prices.  One of the sellers told us, “For Bihu a lot of musical instruments are available in the market. Dhol, Pepa, Gogona, Bahi, Toka, Xutuli, etc. the prices of these instruments start from Rs 120. The Gogoga comes for around Rs 120- Rs 150. The Samkothale dhol is Rs 4500, Kothalor is  Rs 6500. The Dhol for kids comes around for Rs 800, and ranges us to Rs 1600, Rs 2000. And the Pepa starts from Rs 2500.” However, it is clearly visible that the prices of the musical items have gone up, which may be another factor of people not buying them like before.

When asked about the sale this year, another seller said, “the sale this year is not as before. Definitely the prices have gone up and people are not that hyped for traditional instruments. However, we are sending instruments to places that are outside of Assam and even India. We exported to Australia, New Zealand, and such places.'” This has to be one of the best part of bihu, as there is a high level of exportation of instruments to the other parts of the world.

When we asked whether their children will take up their profession or will they opt for something else, one of them said, “of course they will carry forward this tradition. This is our family business. We learnt it from our parents and grandparents and our children will also learn from us. If they don't, who will uphold the Assamese culture.” There is also a tradition of passing down generational businesses among the people of Assam. Those involved in crafting musical instruments impart this legacy to the next generation, ensuring that the cultural heritage endures within the state.

Recently we also got to hear about six prestigious GI Tags that have been granted to traditional crafts like Assam Bihu Dhol, Japi, Sarthebari Metal Craft, and more, which is again a matter of pride for the state. So, let's try to uphold and encourage our Assamese culture, and inculcate the importance of learning our traditional musical instruments along with others. There would be no harm in it; but would only mean keeping our tradition alive and thriving.