Priya Gakhar is a slight girl who deftly arms a big picket drum referred to as a dhol. However beating out acquainted Indian rhythms on this heavy two-headed instrument is just not what makes Priya so particular.
The 28-year-old is amongst a small however steadily rising variety of feminine dholis in Australia, maybe as few as simply 5. And of that she is extremely proud.
“Enjoying dhol is a really bodily job and historically [in India] it was often males who performed it, as a result of they are usually greater and stronger,” Priya says taking a break from practising at a Sydney studio.
“So, persons are typically shocked to see a feminine taking part in dhol. However I really like breaking stereotypes and altering all the things up. I get numerous pleasure out of it.”
Priya demonstrating her dhol taking part in. Supply: SBS Information / Sandra Fulloon
The dhol is synonymous with celebrations in Punjabi tradition, from weddings to occasions and religious gatherings.
Priya is getting ready for a number of large Diwali features in November alongside Australia’s east coast, and says different bookings calls are rolling in.
“I’m excited to be taking part in a musical instrument so deeply ingrained in my tradition, and I’m proud to be altering issues up,” she says.
Even so she admits lengthy performances will be difficult.
“My dhol weighs about eight kilos, and I’m about 45 kilos, so it is fairly heavy, so acting on stage can get very bodily taxing. Generally I play for 2 hours straight, and my shoulder and again get sore after about 10, to fifteen minutes of taking part in.
“Nevertheless it’s price it for the enjoyment that I get from taking part in and from bringing pleasure to different individuals.”
Priya Gakhar together with her dhol. Supply: SBS Information / Spencer Austad
A dhol is made out of carved wooden, with a tin high and animal pores and skin finish. The instrument is commonly performed at weddings, to welcome the groom.
Mockingly, Priya embraces the health facet of taking part in dhol, as she is progressively recovering from a doubtlessly life-threatening situation that emerged in 2018, whereas taking part in semi-professional soccer in the US.
“Throughout coaching I observed that I used to be wanting breath, I had a ache in my leg, and chest ache. I felt fatigued and knew one thing was a bit off.
Priya taking part in soccer within the USA. Supply: Equipped / Priya Gakhar
“I flew again [to Australia] for what was meant to be a 3 month vacation, and that was a 5 12 months stint.
“The medical doctors recognized blood clots in my lungs, round 12 sausage formed clots.”
Priya confronted an extended, gradual restoration on blood thinning medicine throughout COVID and was suggested in opposition to vaccination. It was in isolation at house that she first dealt with a dhol.
“Throughout lockdown it was very powerful, so I began dhol movies [online] and picked it up. It was very therapeutic, and an effective way for me to maintain my spirits up once I was sick.”
“My dad and mom are very supportive, and comfortable that it brings me numerous pleasure, so I really like that.”
Fellow dholi Tika Karan can be proud to be breaking floor for ladies, however admits it isn’t at all times simple.
“In our tradition, seeing ladies play dhol, particularly for the older era, it is fairly onerous to just accept.
“So, it might be lovely if male dholis have been extra welcoming to feminine dholis so we may play collectively and share the identical platform.”
Multi-instrumentalist music coach Kelly Legg welcomes extra younger ladies transferring into historically male-dominated areas of music.
“Previously drums, bass, electrical guitar have been actually male-dominated in addition to genres like rock, the heavier music.
“However we’re actually seeing much more ladies and non-cis males come to the stage now.
“Music is music, and none of those abilities are gendered. Music is for everybody.”
Priya Gakhar together with her dhol. Supply: SBS Information / Sandra Fulloon
For Priya, dhol taking part in is all in regards to the love of efficiency, though she hopes to encourage many younger ladies to beat a brand new path.
“Simply doing what I am doing is one thing uncommon. It’s uncommon.
“To see a feminine taking part in the dhol is an emblem in itself of feminine empowerment in itself.
“However each time I hear the sound of the dhol I like it, I wish to dance, I wish to play. It begins like a bit hearth inside me. And I hope that occurs to different individuals as nicely.”
This story was produced in collaboration with SBS Hindi and SBS Malayalam.