For nearly 500 years, drummers and musicians from across Bangladesh have gathered in Kishoreganj’s Katiadi to secure contracts to perform during Durga Puja.
But mobile phones are gradually changing the centuries-old tradition, allowing organisers to book performers without visiting the historic market.
More than 200 musical groups have gathered at the traditional Dhaker Haat in Katiadi’s Puran Bazar this year, negotiating contracts ranging from Tk20,000 to more than Tk1 lakh, although musicians and organisers say attendance has declined compared with previous years.
The three-day market opened on Wednesday and is scheduled to continue until late Friday night, coinciding with the sixth day of Durga Puja celebrations.
Unlike conventional markets, no musical instruments are bought or sold here.
Instead, performers demonstrate their skills on drums, flutes, shehnais, cymbals and other instruments, hoping to secure contracts from Puja organisers.
On Thursday afternoon, the market reverberated with drumbeats as groups performed before prospective clients, who compared performances and negotiated fees.
Subhashis Sutradhar, a Puja organiser from Shibpur in Narsingdi, hired a group for Tk90,000 after listening to several performances.
“I come here every year to hire musicians for Durga Puja. We listened to several groups before choosing one,” he said.
Tapas Biswas from Brahmanbaria, visiting for the first time, hired a five-member group from Bikrampur for Tk85,000.
For musicians, however, the market offers more than earnings.
Haralal Das, a drummer from Bikrampur, said several organisers had contacted him by phone, but he preferred attending the gathering.
“I cannot imagine missing this market. Meeting fellow musicians brings a different kind of happiness,” he said.
Das was seeking Tk30,000 for his performance.
Ranjit Moni Das, who arrived from Bikrampur with a 10-member group carrying traditional and modern instruments, was seeking Tk1.20 lakh for a contract.
“I will not accept less than Tk1 lakh. I believe we will secure a contract before Friday night,” he said.
The tradition spans generations of musical families.
Nibas Chandra Monidas from Dhaka’s Nawabpur first accompanied his father to the market, continuing a family tradition dating back to his grandfather. Having secured a contract for Tk16,000 last year, he hopes to earn Tk20,000 this time.
But direct phone bookings are reducing the need for such journeys.
Sri Balaram Pandit, a drummer from Habiganj, said two groups from his locality had planned to attend this year’s market but cancelled their trips after receiving bookings by phone from previous clients.
“People now arrange many things over mobile phones. Fewer organisers need to visit the market to find drummers,” he said.
Puran Bazar management committee member Ratan Kumar Saha said several musicians who attended last year had already secured contracts by phone this year.
According to local folklore, the market dates to the early 16th century, when feudal ruler Nabaranga Roy summoned musicians from Bikrampur to perform during Durga Puja at his palace in Charipara.
He personally selected performers after hearing their music, beginning a tradition that eventually evolved into the annual market.
Local voluntary organisation Srima Sangha oversees the event and tries to arrange food, accommodation and security for visiting musicians.
However, musician Biswajit Pandit from Kapasia in Gazipur complained about inadequate toilets, bathing facilities and overnight accommodation for drummers visiting the market from across the country.
Kishoreganj-2 lawmaker Jalal Uddin said development initiatives had been undertaken to improve facilities for visiting musicians, with the improvements expected to benefit them from next year.
Despite changing booking practices, the market remains a cultural gathering that brings together musicians, Puja organisers and spectators from different religious communities.
Pankaj Saha, a musician from Narayanganj who has attended the market for 25 years, said he looks forward to returning every year.
“After Durga Puja ends, we return home and eagerly wait for the next year’s market,” he said.
