The entire state of Maharashtra resonates with resonance throughout the Ganesh Festival and especially on the 10th day of the festival, Anant Chaturdashi. The resonance is due to “Dhol-Tasha. A mix of percussion instruments called ‘Dhol Tasha was used mainly at the start of the war to inspire soldiers. The dance on it is performed with spears (Barchi Chi Nrutya). It was rediscovered during the civil war in the mid-sixties in the capital city of culture in Maharashtra, Pune. Pune is a city in itself.

Pune is a pulsating place for Ganesh celebrations and the troupes that perform “Dhol-Tasha,” popularly referred to as Dhol-Tasha Pathaks, is a major tourist attraction. Incorporating this into this Ganesh Festival was quite a revolutionary event in and of itself. Legend has it that in the early sixties, there were riots at the Ganesh festival due to the prohibitions regarding the use of instruments. Citing the dull atmosphere during the festivals, Dr. Vishwanath Vinayak Pendse or known as Dr. Appa Saheb Pendse, a visionary educationist and chief of one of the most respected education institutes in Pune-Dnyanprabodhini, himself got playing the instruments in the middle of Laxmi Road-hub during Ganesh festivals.

Since then, the Dhol-Tasha tradition is now an element of the Ganesh festival. Two months ago, just before the Ananth Chaturdashi festival, many youngsters took part at Dhol Tasha Pathaks to participate in that event.

The Dhol-Tasha and Lezim are both parts of every fair in the village and Jatra that takes place in the Maval region of Maharashtra, which was once a stronghold of the military. The unique form and mixture of sounds from an urban setting created the modern-day Mavali Dhol. There is also Nashik Dhol (Freestyle), and gradually the forms are changing to more sophisticated music. But true believers will be adamant about the original sound, which is preferred to the indecent songs played at the festival. The music is set to rhythmic patterns that begin with a slow pace and build to a climax which can send listeners into a trance.

The Dhol is covered in an exterior made of leather and bamboo sticks for you to play with. It introduces Tasha, a clarion, and the shiv Nagarjuna, also known as war call. Some changes have occurred over time. Before, could sticks were utilized for playing Tasha; however, fibre sticks are used for playing Tasha. In addition, the players would wrap the Dhol around their necks to play; however, nowadays, everyone ties it around their necks.