The struggle to save their song

An engaging song can carry a listener far away and make them feel a part of it. When that song reaches mystical heights the listener will be sure it carries life: that music is life. Any such song is surely born of the skills of the musicians. It arises too from a composer's inspiration; and, entirely likely, the song may also find its genesis in Manikganj.

In Baliakhora village of Ghior upazila, the Rishi community have been producing musical instruments for over a century. Dhak, dhol, dholok, khol: the variety of instruments they make knows abundance. Baya, dotara, nal, pakoaj, tabla: through the generations the engaging tradition of instrument making has been the community's sound, in a way, their very song. But nowadays it's a tradition at risk.

“I have been making instruments for the last 25 years,” says Ananda Das, 60. “We were in a good position but now, with a fall in demand for instruments, we struggle. Many in the community have found other careers.”

“It's getting more expensive to make the instruments since the price for raw materials is high,” says Shyam Das, 60, whose family has been involved in instrument making for 30 years. “There's not much profit in it anymore.”

“Our community's women are also involved in making musical instruments,” says Sabita Ranai, 50. “In every family they give support and we love to be involved with this creative work, but nowadays we face financial hardship.”

Indeed where once there were hundreds of local families pursuing the tradition, only 35 continue. Compelled by necessity, the remainder changed their occupations.

With the high point of the year for sales now behind them, once again financial crisis looms. “Before Durga Puja we get too many orders to supply dhak-dhol,” says Nokul Chandra Das. It's the season when we can make healthy profits.”

“I have no cash at hand to buy the raw materials, the hides and timber,” says Narayan Chandra Das, 55. “I could expand the business with financial support.” Many in the community wish that the government could help to make financial support available in the interests of saving their traditional industry.

Deputy Commissioner of Manikganj Rashida Ferdousy, meanwhile, says she hopes to take initiative to give loans and financial assistance to the community so that their heritage of instrument making can be sustained.

To visit Badyakor Para of the village is yet to witness instruments in the making. Artisans are proud to say their instruments are being sold in markets across the country, including in Dhaka and Chittagong. Indeed, their instruments are also sold abroad.

Of a day they are involved in buying different timbers: mango, shishu, babla, neem and renti koroi. Goat skins are also in demand. As they can, they yet shape such elements of nature into instruments; still now do they craft the earliest beginnings of songs. But for how much longer the tradition will continue is far from clear.