“My name is Feroz, but in the streets of Hyderabad, everyone knows me as Jabri. I’ve been playing Marfa for 25 years. I grew up with these beats around me, listening to them from the time I was a small boy. Over the years, Marfa became more than something I learnt to play—it became a part of my life and a part of who I am.

Marfa is deeply connected to Hyderabad’s heritage where our community has kept the tradition alive for generations. Its roots here go back more than two centuries, when Yemeni soldiers brought these drums with them while serving the Nizams. My elders passed the art down to me, and I’ve spent my life learning the beats, understanding the different styles and keeping the tradition going.

Today, I lead a team of twenty musicians. We perform at weddings, celebrations and big processions across the city. We play different styles, from the Marfa and Savari to the Nagin beat and the old Yabu Bakke Rabu Sala. Each beat has its own pace and character. Sometimes we’re playing in a small lane with people gathered around us; other times, we’re part of a huge procession with crowds dancing alongside us.

That is still my favourite part—seeing people respond to the drums. The moment the beat starts, people start moving. For a few minutes, nobody is thinking about anything else. They’re just dancing and enjoying themselves. After 25 years, seeing that reaction still makes all the hard work worth it.

We’ve taken our Marfa to other states and performed for many different audiences. But for me, it has never really been about fame or money. I learnt this art from my elders, and I feel responsible for carrying it forward.

For us, Marfa is a part of Hyderabad’s identity. It carries a history that has been passed down through generations. I just want to make sure that the tradition continues, that the next generation learns these beats, and that the sound of Marfa remains a part of Hyderabad.”