MUMBAI: Drumrolls don’t just herald celebrations this Pujo, they’ve become the celebration itself. In a landmark cultural tribute, ITC Sunrise put Bengal’s beloved dhakis centre stage with a spectacular ‘Dhaki Utsav’ at Kolkata’s iconic Kumartuli Ghat on Mahalaya.
Led by percussion virtuoso Tanmoy Bose and Padma Shri awardee Gokul Dhaki, the never-before-seen spectacle brought dozens of traditional drummers together in unison, unveiling a specially composed Durga Puja anthem for Sunrise.
The riverfront reverberated with the thunderous rhythm of the dhak, weaving music into devotion against the sacred backdrop of Kumartuli, where idol-making and rituals mark the spiritual awakening of goddess Durga. The beats weren’t just performance; they were a collective heartbeat of Bengal’s biggest festival.
“Durga Puja is not just a celebration, it is an emotion stitched together with rhythm,” said ITC Spices, business head, Piyush Mishra. “With Dhaki Utsav, we wanted to shine the spotlight on the artists who define the soundscape of Pujo.”
For the dhakis themselves, the recognition was deeply moving. “Pujo is life for us,” said Gokul Dhaki. “To see our art celebrated on such a scale is an honour beyond words.” Bose echoed the sentiment, calling the performance “a privilege and a moment to cherish forever.”
With this initiative, Sunrise has gone beyond spices to spice up tradition, not only creating a festive anthem but etching a new cultural legacy that honours the keepers of Bengal’s most iconic rhythm.
From empowering women priests to celebrating self-defence through its Durgatinashini campaign, Sunrise has consistently blended tradition with progress. This year’s Dhaki Utsav reinforces its role as a brand deeply rooted in Bengal’s heritage, ensuring the drummers who fuel Pujo’s spirit are finally recognised as its soul.
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