Published on April 16, 2023
AHMEDABAD: Pappu Mustufa, who owns an eponymous band based in Astodia area of Ahmedabad, excitedly shows visitors the pictures of their past performances while explaining their USP — uniformed brass band performance at processions, Nashik dhol party and DJ trucks with gigantic speakers. If the budget permits, a drummer can also tag along on a separate vehicle. “Nowadays, out of every 10 orders, five are for dhols; three are for DJs and hardly two for the band,” says Mustufa, who is the third generation in the business.
“It’s simple economics. The rate for a dhol party starts at Rs 5,000, whereas for the band one must shell out north of Rs 15,000. These days you see hundreds of trucks with DJ music blaring out of the speakers mounted on them. Though the number of weddings have increased after Covid, the profit margin is not great,” he said.
No big fat Indian wedding is complete without men in red tunics belting out favourite chartbusters like “Aaj Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai’ on tuba, clarinet, drums and maracas.
While the old bands that have been in the business for long are still going strong, many have diverted to ‘DJ trucks’ that play remixes, or playing dhols for half an hour of adrenalin rush as baraatis burn the dance floor.
Reema Thadani, owner of 90-year-old Hind Jea Band in thecity, said that the band as a concept has undergone a major change since the tastes have evolved.
“The bands are now a part of larger-than-life experiences at events. So, everything right from uniforms to the tunes to the way the music is played, has changed. I believe that those who want a brassband will never settle for anything else,” she said. And then there are the loyal clients — families that prefer the same band that played at the weddings for their preceding generations.
It’s a quasi-family trade, explained Jayesh Parmar of Rajkamal Band in Asarwa.
“The wedding season lasts for less than 60 days in a calendar year. So, you cannot solely depend on a band’s income. Most members are labourers or farmers who go back to their hometowns during the off season,” he said.
The brass bands are preferred for the nostalgic spirit they stir with music that is evocative of an era bygone.
“These bands were a staple at the wedding processions when we were growing up. So, when my son was getting married, we wanted to recreate the same feeling,” said Ketan Patel, a Satellite resident.
Police bands are also hugely popular. “Of course, we do choose and practise the new tunes endlessly, but after a few new songs are played, people demand the numbers from the ’80s and ’90s,” said Dilip Kumar, head constable, SRP Group II Band.
Band members may have several anecdotes to share including currency notes being showered upon them and walking long distances. But what will stay with them are the moments of euphoria they create for the baraatis who shun their coy selves at the squeak of a clarinet and break into the famous ‘nagin dance’.
Parth Shastri Archive 