Doomdooma, Upper Assam — As Rongali Bihu approaches, traditional dhol makers across Assam are facing a deepening economic crisis that threatens both their livelihoods and the festival’s musical heartbeat. Rising costs for raw materials such as leather and wood, coupled with weak buyer demand, have pushed this age‑old craft to the brink, artisans say.
For generations, dhol-making has been a primary source of income in Tinsukia district and neighboring areas. This season, however, the usual surge in sales during Bihu has not materialized. “This is not just a business for us; it is our identity,” said Navjyoti Das, a young trader from Rozagarh village in Doomdooma. He added that sharply higher material prices have eroded earnings to the point where merely surviving has become difficult.
Craftsmen describe a shrinking capital base, rising debts and limited access to wider markets. Many want to modernize and sell online but lack the funds and infrastructure to do so. “We want to adapt, go digital and reach customers beyond our villages,” an artisan said, noting that without investment they may be forced to abandon the trade.
The hardship is also personal and acute. Das, who lives in rented accommodation, said he cannot afford proper medical treatment for his malnourished infant, a stark reminder of the human cost behind the downturn. Local traders and makers say the combination of financial stress and uncertain demand has created fear that younger generations will leave the profession.
Experts and artisans are calling for immediate government intervention to protect the craft. Proposed measures include direct financial aid, subsidies on essential raw materials and assistance with doorstep digital market access to connect makers with buyers outside their communities.
For Assam, the decline of its dhol artisans is more than an economic problem: it is a cultural concern. The dhol is central to Rongali Bihu’s music and rituals, and preserving the craft is, by many accounts, essential to safeguarding the festival’s rhythm and heritage for future generations.
Original Source: https://nenow.in/north-east-news/assam/assam-dhol-makers-face-crisis-as-rising-costs-hit-rongali-bihu-sales.html
Category: Assam,Northeast News,Top News
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Publish Date: 2026-04-18 20:40:00
