PESHAWAR
As the early winter breeze begins to blow through the bustling streets of Peshawar following last night heavy rains, a familiar rhythm reverberate through the city courtesy to the booming beat of the dhol.
For traditional drummers like Irshad Ali, known locally as “Khan G”, it signals more than just the start of the wedding season but it’s the sound of livelihood, joy, and cultural revival.
Sitting proudly at his usual spot at the busy square near Green Shadi Hall on Fakhr-e-Alam Road, Khan G carefully wipes down his cherished dhol with a chadar (shawl).
At 45, the veteran performer has been beating drums for over two decades, ever since he inherited the trade after his father’s passing. With wedding festivities picking up across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), business is finally booming again.
“We wait the whole year for this season,” said Khan G with a hopeful smile. “Saturdays and Sundays are the busiest. People come here to hire us for weddings, birthdays, and mehndi functions. It feels good to be wanted again.”
In a time when modern DJs and digital music dominate most celebrations, dhol players like Khan G and his fellow drummers have managed to keep a centuries-old tradition alive.
Their thunderous beats and infectious energy not only entertain but also symbolize joy and celebration in local culture.
Zulfiqar, another drummer who travels from Changarabad each weekend, says he’s optimistic about the coming months.
“This winter gives us hope. After inflation and price hikes, people still want traditional music. That keeps us going,” he said, wiping sweat from his brow after a long performance.
But tradition comes at a cost. The prices of dhols and their accessories have surged in recent years. A good-quality drum that once cost Rs25,000 now exceeds Rs35,000. The skin beating plates sensitive to both heat and rain often get damaged, forcing drummers to invest in expensive imported plastic versions.
“One damaged drum can cost a poor drummer an entire week’s earnings,” said Zulfiqar alias Bhutto, fondly called Ustad by his peers. “I have only one working dhol right now, inherited from my brother. The others are sent for repair.”
Drumsbeating culture that refuses to fade in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was a part of almost every celebrations.
Despite technological advancement and the rise of flashy DJs, the demand for traditional dhol players is on the rise, especially in rural and semi-urban communities.
“I prefer dhol players over DJs,” said Bahadar Khan, a resident of Pabbi Nowshera, who recently hired a pair for his son’s marriage. “They are cost-efficient, do not require electricity, and bring a cultural charm to the event.”
On weekends, these traditional artists can be seen waiting for clients at popular spots like Gandhara Chowk, Grern Shadihall Changarabad and Hayatabad.
Clad in white or yellow kurta-shalwar, they are instantly recognizable, and deeply respected for their contributions to local festivities.
The rates vary depending on the event and client’s capacity. On a good weekend, a dhol player can earn anywhere between Rs15,000 and Rs20,000. Typically, a pair charges around Rs5,000 per program which is a modest amount given the physical and emotional energy they bring to their performances.
The story of Peshawar’s dhol players is deeply intertwined with the city’s cinematic history. In the golden era of Pashto and Urdu films, drumbeats would welcome excited fans outside cinema halls, building anticipation for new releases.
Veteran actor Javed Babar (Pride of Performance) reminisced that it was a beautiful time. People danced outside cinemas when a new film was released. Dhol players were the heart of that celebration. Sadly, that culture is disappearing.”
Once home to 15 vibrant cinemas, Peshawar has lost more than half of them. Historic venues like Shabistan, Falak Sair, and Metro have been razed and replaced by commercial buildings.
The few remaining cinemas like Arshad, Aaeena, and Naz struggle to attract audiences amidst a dearth of quality films and rising operational costs besides social media addiction.
Gohar Khan, manager of Sabrina Cinema, says traditional drummers were once a regular part of film promotions.
“We used to hire dhol players to bring excitement before screenings. Now with poor film quality and high expenses, even that tradition is fading.”
Despite the challenges from rising inflation to changing tastes, social media and copyrights, the dhol community remains hopeful and resilient.
Their art has withstood time, technology, and even the pandemic. Many, like Irshad Ali from Lahore, take immense pride in the fact that this profession has helped educate their children and preserve cultural roots.
“I educated my children up to university with this profession,” said Irshad. “We may not have degrees, but we have rhythm in our blood.”
As winter weddings pick up momentum amid increase demand of marriages halls, dhol players hope for busier schedules and better earnings in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where law and order significantly improved.
But they also dream of recognition, support, and preservation of their art.
Cultural experts and community leaders are now urging the government to offer relief packages to cinema owners and traditional performers alike as a small investment will help preserve a priceless part of the province’s cultural identity.
After all, as the dhol beats echo through the streets of Peshawar, they remind us of something deeper than celebration, telling the story of endurance, pride, and an undying cultural spirit.
