Uttarakhand's Copper Dhol-Damau: Ancient Craft, Resonant Sound, Enduring Legacy

• Dhol-Damau, Uttarakhand's cultural identity, are special copper instruments made in Kharehi, Bageshwar, known for their loud, resonant sound.
• Artisan Ashok Kumar details the laborious process: pure copper sheets are repeatedly heated ('Tapai') and hammered into shape, taking several days.
• Copper is chosen for its superior acoustics, allowing the sound to carry far in hilly regions, crucial for traditional ceremonies and rituals.
• These instruments are integral to faith, believed to invoke deities, and are essential for Jagars, weddings, and religious events.
• Despite challenges from modern instruments and youth disinterest, Kharehi artisans preserve this art, with potential for national and international recognition.

Why It Matters: Kharehi's copper Dhol-Damau are a unique blend of traditional craftsmanship, spiritual significance, and powerful sound, facing modern challenges.