“Would you like to buy a Dholak? Right now, I have only mini dholaks which are portable. These dholaks are homemade. I use coconut wood, bamboo rings, limestone powder and threads for making these. I make them during my free hours. These dholaks are extremely popular with families with young kids.

I am from a village called Uganpur in UP. I left home at the age of 16 in search of a livelihood. I travelled to Bombay with a businessman from my hometown where I began selling bansuris, which were sourced from my hometown. I branched out on my own when I was old enough and travelled to different cities for work. I like this city; it’s laidback and the people here are friendly. I have been living in this city for 10 years now along with my wife.

Playing a Dholak is great fun, especially during friendly get to gathers and festivals. It is also quite energising. When you feel like singing any folk song, you could play the Dholak to bring out the true essence of beats and rhythm.

I start my day at 6 a.m. and help my wife with errands. If I am not at Uppal, you will see me selling my Dholak in the Secunderabad area. Sales are rather dismal these days due to the rains and Covid 19. I usually wind up my day by 6 p.m. As I have been living in Hyderabad for quite some time now, I am reasonably familiar with the Telugu language.

Festivals and celebrations are spent here with my wife and a few of my friends. Once in two months, I take my wife along with me on a short tour so that we can spend some time together. I love her the most in the world. We support and help each other out in all situations.”