Pune’s Enchanting Drum Beats

Every year, for three days, Pune reverberates with rhythmic drumbeats during India’s first and only drum festival – Damru. The annual festival, started in 2011, attracts maestros such as Pandit Kumar Bose, Pandit Anindo Chatterjee, Pandit Bickram Ghosh and Sivamani, to name a few. More than 25,000 drumming enthusiasts attended the first two editions of the festival. In 2015, the festival is scheduled to be held in from December 21^st to December 23^rd. 

A glorious sunrise in Pune...

The Drum Festival

Damru is one of the unique musical festivals in India. It was started by Gladpeople Entertainment Networks and the first festival was held in September 2011. The festival is curated by one of the foremost drum virtuosos in India – Pandit Bickram Ghosh. It has brought together more than 50 Indian and international artists on one stage, to the delight of music connoisseurs and spectators alike. In 2012, the festival was held in December at Pune’s ILS Law College Ground. One of the unique aspects of Damru 2012 was that legendary ghatam maestro Vidhvan Vikku Vinayakram performed with his son and his grandson, both of whom played the khanjira. It was Carnatic percussion at its best, with three generations performing together.

Photo Credit: Dave Kobrehel / Wikimedia

A Pioneering Festival

Damru 2012 was also the first time that “Drumime” was performed in India. As part of this concept, five body drummers, one mime artist and several dancers performed together. This concept of rhythm and acting was developed by Pandit Bickram Ghosh, who is known to reinterpret music and bring his own twist to it. The body drummers used their cheeks, stomachs and thighs as drumming surfaces and coupled with the mime, visuals and lights, it was an unforgettable experience.

Drumming for a Cause

Apart from its unique entertainment value, the festival is also involved with a couple of social initiatives. In 2012, for every ticket sold, the festival organisers planted one tree with the help of the NGO Tree Public Foundation. The festival also provided five scholarships to deserving and needy percussionists aged between 8 and 15. These children have been undergoing extensive training from noted drumming artists and will be performing along with their gurus in Damru 2013.

Photo Credit: Namrta Rai / Wikimedia

Getting to Pune

So head over to the cultural capital of Maharashtra and witness this unique festival. Pune is fairly well-connected by air, rail and road. A prepaid taxi from the airport or an auto-rickshaw from the station or bus stand will get you to any venue in Pune. There’s a range of hotels to choose from in the city and MakeMyTrip offers great last minute deals. The city is known for its typically Maharashtrian food joints, as also for a variety of North Indian and international fare. Having a large student population, Pune also has a wide range of pubs and discotheques to let your hair down at. There are plenty of other things to do in Pune so plan to stay a while.

Experience the resonant drum beats at the Damru festival this year. Book your flight, catch a train or hit the road to Pune.