| Young Dholi keeps Punjabiyat alive |
16th Mar 2013
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Jahan Geet Singh | Photo: T. S. Bedi
he looks like any other 14-year-old girl. But, her passion for drumming speaks volumes about her uniqueness and makes her stand apart. Jahan Geet Singh, India's youngest female Dhol player has caused a dent in patriarchal strongholds by raiding a hitherto male bastion. Her proficiency in drumming, coupled with hard work and an incredible passion for precision, has helped her gain recognition not only in India but also internationally.
Being the youngest dhol player in the country, Jahan Geet has also the rare privilege of being the only Indian dhol player to have been featured in the Tom Tom Magazine (New York), the world's only magazine dedicated to female drummers.
Singh says, "One of my cousins played the dhol at a gathering once. Everyone enjoyed the performance. I had a lot of fun and took an instant liking to the dhol. I have been learning since the age of 11." Keenly watching her interest in the instrument, her parents encouraged her to pursue her passion. They engaged a professional trainer, Kartar Singh of the NZCC (North Zone Cultural Centre), who helped her in becoming a prodigy.
Ever since she has given more than 60 stage performances, including those at the university, zonal youth festival, state level cultural programmes and so on. She was invited to perform at the international 'Kapurthala Heritage Festival'. Her performances were aired on TV channels, including Doordarshan Jalandhar, Zee Punjabi, ETC, PTC, etc.
When asked about why she chose to play the dhol, Singh says, "When I heard it being played the first time, I immensely enjoyed the beats and the way it sounded. Also a lot of Punjabi celebrations and music involves the dhol. I wanted to learn it myself and hence started practising."
Jahan has represented Chandigarh in the much hyped reality show, India's Got Talent in the year 2012. But, after successfully clearing the state-level auditions, she could not make it to the Mumbai auditions because of her annual exams. "I had the option to participate in the shows later on but did not opt for it by choice. Right now my studies are priority and I am not taking any chances. Whenever I get time and feel like it, I take out my dhol and play on," she says.
http://www.sunday-guardian.com/young-restless/young-dholi-keeps-punjabiyat-alive
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