Playing the dholak (traditional Indian drum) is something Rohil Ritesh Kumar was born to do. Originally from Nadi, the complexity of dholak playing did not hinder Kumar’s little fingers from giving it a try at the age of eight.
He was so mesmerized with the sound it gave that he practiced on empty containers and drums, mimicking the drumming action of his elders. “I started playing dholak when I was in Year 3.
That time I didn’t have any dholak so I used old paint buckets and kerosene gallons,” he said.
Today, people get glued to their sits for hours just to watch him create ‘magic’ with his dexterous hands, in both social and worship events. And while technological gadgets may be popular among youths, Kumar’s craze remains the two-headed dholak.
Playing the traditional Indian percussion instrument has not only allowed him to travel places.
It has also given him the opportunity to enter people’s hearts and minds.
“When I reached Year 6, my teachers noticed the interest I had in playing the dholak,” he said.
“I was not a professional drummer, yet they gave me the opportunity to play it during school functions, which were held every week.”
His biggest inspiration came when Fijian artist, Kaushal Mani Goti, met him and coaxed him to pursue his passion.
“Discerning the passion I had, he offered to help me achieve the level of success and recognition that I deserved.
“He gave me the opportunity to accompany him to his stage shows and play dholak.”
“I also learnt from other dholakiya such as Monu Sharma who motivated me and taught me to never be overconfident.”
Kumar said traveling to Australia through his musical skill was the limelight of his childhood.
“That was the happiest moment in my life. I never imagined that I would get the opportunity to travel to another country and play dholak.
“I couldn’t thank Mr Mani enough as he was the one who exposed me to new paths, since then I have been playing dholak for his team.”
He said the artist he was today was a direct result of his parents’ upbringing. He said his family’s financial position hindered him from practising on a dholak at a young age. However, this did not discourage him from learning.
“My father could not buy a dholak for me so after finishing Year 12, I started working and finally bought my first dholak in 2021.
“Currently, I own five dholak in total.”
Apart from dholak playing, Kumar also does tirikutu, a traditional dance form performed by male Hindu devotees. He wants to encourage youths to never lose hope in life.
“No matter how difficult your journey becomes, you should continue working hard to achieve your dreams.”
