Thousands of dhakis (traditional drummers) from multiple Bengal districts are travelling to various states, including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, to perform at Durga Puja pandals this year after a two-year hiatus owing to Covid-19.

A large number of dhakis from districts, including East Burdwan, Murshidabad, Birbhum and Purulia, would travel to various states at least for a week during Puja.

“I had been contacted by a Durga Puja organiser in Mumbai around two months ago. He had sent me money and train tickets in advance. The money we earn by playing dhaks plays an important role in running our families,” said Prasenjit Das, a dhaki of Baruipara near East Burdwan’s Kalna.

At least 50 dhakis from Baruipara village used to travel outside Bengal during Durga Puja in the past seven decades.