Generations behind the beats

Photo: Star

Eighty-one year-old Narayan Chandra Das has been in his ancestral profession of manufacturing rhythmic instruments in Mymensingh for decades. He started working at the age of 11. Narayan runs his shop Taal Torongo at the Boro Kalibari area, with his son Suvash Chandra Das and grandson Gopal Chandra Das.

“I am feeble to do the hard work now, but I instruct them to make quality rhythmic instruments which are in high demand in Mymensingh and its adjacent districts, especially during Durga Puja”, said Narayan.

“We have got huge orders this year, especially for dhak, dhol, dholok, khol and bangla dhol,” shared Suvash.

The demand for small musical instruments like dugi, khamok, naal, tabla and khonjoni are also high during the festive season, informed Narayan.

“During  Durga Puja, the greatest religious festival of the Hindus, every year, we enjoy a good business. This year’s revenue was quite good as always,” said Gopal, Narayan’s 26 year-old grandson. “Along with making new instruments, we also repair instruments coming from Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Sherpur, Netrakona, Tangail and Kishoreganj.”