Saturday, February 15, 2014

Drum Circle

Had been for the Shamrock Festival that was held in Pune this month. Even though it was a two day affair, the turnout was more on the second day, being a Sunday.
Songs were played on request by different band groups.


There were many stalls for games, but the eatery stalls were competing with each other (I found a lot of Chicken Lollipop counters)





Attractions for kids were in all shapes and sizes.




Children enjoyed playing their own games – sort of custom made as per their age.


I liked this display of paintings. It looked kind of fluorescent. It was encouraging to see people buying them.


There was even a Photo Booth where you could pick up the props, get decorated and get clicked.



The outcome is some fancy and colourful photographs.


One of the counters: A game for married couples. As the poster says, it will give you a fairly good idea of how well you know your partner.


But what fascinated me the most were these drums.


This was the first time I witnessed the “Drum Circle”


It was conducted by Arthur Fernandes. He says that he is just a facilitator for the people who play the drums. 
The people sitting in the circle are no expert drummers but housewives, college students, school teachers, a real motley crowd.
I even spotted a Clergy and a Sardarji. I am sure all of them are holding a drum in their hands for the first time.

Arthur believes in the therapeutic power of music. He gave up his HR Executive’s job in an IT company and started with music therapy. His Masters in Psychology helped him to understand people and their needs.

What I liked about Arthur is that he enjoyed what he was doing.
His enthusiasm and involvement was contagious and that was reason enough for all participants to be “in sync” with the beat of the drums.



Some of the keen observers were the young and the very young.


On the first day I was a part of the circle, but it was difficult to click and play the drums simultaneously. So I visited again on the second day to get some good pictures, and to listen to the drums. (anything to do with music is OK with me)
I found that the seats were getting overbooked and extra chairs had to be arranged.


Managed to get some good footage and edited and compiled it to a small video.
Hope you enjoy the Djembe as much as I did. (when you see the video you will know what a Djembe is)

You can see the video by clicking on this link or on the picture below:





18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Like those colorful pictures at the Photo Booth - Charles

Anonymous said...

There are a lot of photographs here. It looks like everyone is having fun.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Looks like a really fun festival. My favorite photos were the two images of the drums and the one of the adorable little girl in the striped top and ruffled skirt, who seemed enthralled with everything around her.

eastcoastlife said...

Fun event with lots of interesting things to do :)

Rama Ananth said...

Very good video, and thanks for doing such a good job, I plan to buy one of those drums they sell on the roadside, they are pretty good, and I can practice some of the drum movements demonstrated there. It would be a good exercise for the hands and the fingers, and would be also so calming for the soul.

Insignia said...

Nice. Progams like these give you a break from monotonous work. Some of the drums looked like a tweaked version of Djembes Good fun overall I am sure

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

We often see and hear drum circles at fairs and festivals in the State of Oregon (where we used to live and now usually spend summers). I am sure the idea was copied from your country. I enjoy watching and listening t but my husband does not. Sometimes when we're walking around I will lose him as he hurries ahead while I stay and watch (and sway)...(So far I have always caught up with him eventually ;>)

George said...

It looks as if the Festival was a lot of fun. I found the drum circle to be very interesting.

My Garden Diaries said...

What a lovely event! It's always fantastic to find these treasures where the kids have just as much fun as the adults! And I so enjoy drum circles! It has been a while since I have seen one but they are just awesome as is your footage! Good music, art and food...I'd say you guys have it all covered here! Pure joy! Nicole

Connie said...

I've never heard of a drum circle before. That was really interesting. I loved your photos of the man on stilts and of the kids dressing up in props to get their pictures taken too. Looks like quite a fun day.

Augustine Xavier said...

I missed this year's shamrock fair and after viewing the colourful photographs and the excellent narration of events taken place, I surely missed a lot of action. The band playing the song requests and the Djembe and the phone booth were really new activities added this year. The crowd seems have enjoyed to the fullest. Thanks Joe have atleat enjoyed reading and viewing the St.Patrick's Shamrock Fair 2014 thru the lens of Joe Zachs. Cheers!

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful and fun event I am sure ~ Great fun photos ~ I also have done some drumming ~ namaste, carol

Alka Gurha said...

Your camera captures the spirit of the festival.
Well, I am in Pune, visiting my son this weekend. There is a marriage too. Pretty hectic but my first time so I am excited.

Anonymous said...

I am so happy to see that the audience was thrilled to play and they also synchronized their beat so well that it was enjoyable, they did not show any effort but played with enthusiasm and followed the leader very well.. Thanks Joe for this episode. Ivan

Dee said...

Dear Haddock, that video was such a wonder to watch and listen to. Thanks so much for sharing your own enthusiasm about the drum circle, a concept that is totally new to me. Peace.

Anonymous said...

Hi Joe,

Excellent video (well compiled and edited) and photos as usual. Great job done. Seemed like a lot of fun - like the enthusiasm, dedication and commitment of Arthur and how well he got just ordinary folk to join in and have some laughter - George Mathew

Renu said...

Your pictures are always a delight to see..

Icy BC said...

It looked like a fun event to attend, and you did a wonderful job with the video!